Fort Worth-area actor returns to hometown as Neil Diamond in ‘A Beautiful Noise’

Joe Caskey grew up in the shadows of Fort Worth, living in Keller and attending Byron Nelson High School in Trophy Club, from where he graduated in 2017.

However, he is only now making his first visit inside one of the area’s most notable landmarks in the entertainment industry — Bass Hall. He is a swing performer, always ready to step in for any role, and is the understudy as the younger Neil Diamond in “A Beautiful Noise, The Neil Diamond Musical” the latest in Performing Arts Fort Worth’s Broadway at the Bass Series Oct. 28-Nov. 2.

“The physical prowess of that building is stirring. How many amazing shows have come through there,” Caskey said. “How proud the people are to have that incredible venue and the theater scene in Fort Worth.”

Caskey, 26, is a product of that theater scene, but the reason he never got to visit Bass Hall before now is he was too busy playing sports until his senior year of high school. He was involved in basketball through middle school, baseball through his freshman year and football through being a junior.

Musical theater interest began in middle school

Caskey had no idea theater would be his career until one day he learned he could do such a thing.

“The plan was football. I planned to play at some small college. I didn’t even know you could get a degree in musical theater,” he said. “Then, when I realized I was like, wait, you can make a living at this?”

And that’s exactly what he is now doing. Following high school he graduated from Oklahoma City University, which has a renowned musical theater department, and he’s seeing the country one stage at a time.

His interest in musical theater first started in middle school in Keller. His choir director convinced him to audition for “The King and I” and he was cast in the title role as the King of Siam.

Then, his first role in high school was again a title role in “Shrek the Musical.”

“‘Shrek’ taught me how the sausage is made,” he said, referencing all he learned about theater through the production. “It’s an incredible show. I’d love to go back now and do it, the music is just great.”

Playing Neil Diamond

Caskey is no stranger to playing legendary musical figures, having also played Elvis in “Heartbreak Hotel.” However, he finds portraying a young Neil Diamond its own unique challenge.

“In a way, Elvis, his voice, mannerisms are a lot easier to drop into than Neil,” he began. “Neil has this blue collar style, and the voice with that grit and imperfection is what makes him special.

“It never gets old or repetitive. I look forward to each and every show, and it’s such an honor to portray such a legend.

“You look at Neil Diamond and his contemporaries at the time, such as Carole King, James Taylor, they were so influential at the time. Neil found something, he was able to communicate his feelings to anyone who would listen.”

Diamond, who retired from touring after his Parkinson’s diagnosis in 2018, joined the cast for a special encore moment at one of their stops.

“We all met him in L.A. He came to the show and sang ‘Sweet Caroline’ at the end,” Caskey said. “He was so sweet to everyone and such a joy to meet and get to know.

“His voice still has perfect tempo, perfect pitch.”

‘A Beautiful Noise’ more than a jukebox musical

“A Beautiful Noise” is more than a jukebox musical, Caskey noted. Basically, the show is a series of therapy sessions with the older Neil looking back over his life.

“He started as a songwriter and that’s what he thought he’d be doing all his life,” he said, recalling that one of the first songs Diamond wrote was the hit single “I’m a Believer” performed by the Monkees.

It was one of four songs Diamond wrote for the Monkees, and it rose to No. 1 on the charts.

He added that one of Diamond’s biggest hits could serve as the theme for the show, “I Am … I Said.”

“We’ve all been there. It’s such an honest song,” he said. “My generation, we have a good emphasis on mental health right now, so I believe there is a connection there. It’s eye opening and you realize, oh, that’s why he wrote all these amazing songs.”

Caskey said the show has something for all ages.

“Our audiences are so fired up about seeing this show, some to relive their memories and others to learn about him,” he said.