**** I am pretty sure that almost everyone knows the name, Neil Diamond and of course his music. Now, you have an opportunity to learn more about the man and his music in a musical story entitled The Neil Diamond Musical: “A Beautiful Noise” currently onstage at The Cadillac Palace Theatre. Created by Anthony McCarten (book) in collaboration with Diamond, who of course is the song writer of all the music in the show, it is a story from start to present of the man and his music.

While the show is a biography and sort of time-line of his rise from Brooklyn Kid to super star, understand that some liberties have been taken with the timeline and those who know the actual timeline for each of his hits may find themselves in a quandary. You will also note that since we get to know his wives, they also participate in singing some of his songs. I ask you to attend this play for the music and the performance. Diamond felt that telling his story was one to be told. It is done as if Neil is in therapy as we meet Neil-NOW ( deftly handled by Robert Westenberg) and we meet his Doctor ( Lisa Renee Pitts). He has been a somewhat uncooperative patient to date, but has put together a scrap book, detailing his rise to fame through his music.

As we go through this fantastic book, we meet Neil -THEN ( a superb performance by  “American Idol” winner, Nick Fradiani). What a voice. If you close your eyes, you will imagine a young Neil Diamond is on stage, WOW!! There are thirty number sin this two act musical and with the exception of one or two and some portions of others, Fradiana does them all! And to perfection!

The cast that surrounds him is composed of the woman who gave him his voice/start Ellie Greenwich (Kate A. Mulligan) , his wife, Jaye Posner (Tiffany Tatreau, who does a wonderful job with  “Love On The Rocks”) and  second wife, Marcia Murphey ( the very sultry Hannah Jewel Kohn, who does a powerful “Forever In Blue Jeans” and a wonderful duet with Fradiana of “You Don’t Bring Me Flowers”).

I am pretty sure you will hear every song that you love by Diamond and in many cases, the audience will find themselves clapping hands or stamping feet and I guarantee you will be ready for “Sweet Caroline”.

This is a show with several featured players and of course the two Diamonds, but the key to this show being as powerful as it is, is the ensemble. They are: Deirdre Dunkin, Ellen McGihon , Thabitha Moruthane, Jeilani Rhone-Collins, Cooper Clack, Tasheim Ramsey Pack, Chris Marsh Clark, Ginger Hurley, Spencer Donavan Jones, Tuck Milligan, Michael Accardo, Kate Mulligan, and  J’Kobe Wallace. A hard working and energetic cast of players.

Directed by Michael Mayer on a set designed by David Rockwell, this show rocks. The choreography by Steven Hoggett is unique and music direction by Sonny Paladino excellent! The costumes  (Emilio Sosa) are special and I love the fact that as the years go by, the number of sequins on Diamond’s costumes increase. Beautiful!

While this is not a “Jersey Boys” or “Beautiful” in the correctness of the biographical portion, it is a wonderful theatrical experience that Neil Diamond fans will cherish. It is a short run here, so I suggest that you plan to visit a Broadway In Chicago box office of their website right away. You don’t want to miss this one!

The Neil Diamond Musical:” A Beautiful Mind”will continue  Thru – Nov 24th with performances as follows: