Tony nominee Will Swenson, most recently seen in the Off-Broadway revival of Assassins, will play singer/songwriter Neil Diamond in the Broadway-aimed musical A Beautiful Noise, which begins its world-premiere engagement at Boston's Emerson Colonial Theatre June 21.
Swenson earned Tony, Drama Desk, and Drama League nominations for his portrayal of Berger in Diane Paulus’ production of Hair, and received an Obie Award for his performance in Jerry Springer: The Opera. His other Broadway credits include Waitress, Les Misérables, Priscilla: Queen of the Desert, and 110 in the Shade.
The A Beautiful Noise creative team includes Olivier-winning choreographer Steven Hoggett (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Once, Black Watch); four-time Oscar nominee Anthony McCarten (Bohemian Rhapsody, Darkest Hour, The Theory of Everything), who is penning the book; and Tony Award-winning director Michael Mayer (Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Spring Awakening). The production incorporates Diamond's hit tunes.
Additional casting and creative team members will be announced at a later date.
Diamond said in an earlier statement, “I’ve had the joy of coming to Boston on countless occasions, but one of the most special was my 2013 trip to Fenway where I had the honor of being part of a moment of relief, unity, strength, and love. Next summer, when A Beautiful Noise has its first performance at the Emerson Colonial Theatre, and we’re all able to safely be in the same space together, experiencing the thrill of live theatre, I imagine those same emotions will wash over me and the entire audience. Relief... Unity... Strength… Love… I can’t wait to share that experience.”
Among Diamond's recordings are “Cracklin’ Rose,” “Sweet Caroline,” “Song Sun Blue,” “Longfellow Serenade,” “I’ve Been This Way Before,” “If You Know What I Mean,” “Desiree,” “You Don’t Bring Me Flowers,” “America,” “Yesterday’s Song,” and “Heartlight.” The Grammy winner is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame and is a recipient of the Sammy Cahn Lifetime Achievement Award. Diamond has also received the Kennedy Center Honor.
Ken Davenport and Bob Gaudio produce A Beautiful Noise, The Neil Diamond Musical, about the life of the famed singer-songwriter.
Originally scheduled through July 17, the limited run will now continue through July 31. Tickets are now available at ABeautifulNoisetheMusical.com.
