‘A Beautiful Noise’ at Bass Hall brightens Neil Diamond’s darkness

Neil Diamond brightened the lives of many listeners throughout a musical career that spanned more than half a century, delighting fans from the concert stage in the largest venues around the globe.

Then it all came to an abrupt end with the announcement in January 2018 that he would no longer be touring because of his battle with Parkinson’s disease.

I’ve often wondered what an artist such as Diamond, who has such a passion for the music he creates must feel when the ability to share that passion is suddenly taken away. All that remains are memories of the wonderful sounds he created for so many for so long.

Which brings us to the musical about his life, “A Beautiful Noise.” It’s the latest in Performing Arts Fort Worth’s Broadway at the Bass Series, and it’s at Bass Hall through Sunday, Nov. 2.

The show is a jukebox musical recapping Diamond’s life through Neil then (Keller’s own Joe Caskey on this night) and Neil now (Robert Westenberg), who, as part of confronting his Parkinson’s diagnosis, has entered therapy. The story, titled after Diamond’s 1976 album of the same name, is told by looking back through lyrics of many of the songs he wrote as they are read by his psychiatrist (Lisa Renee Pitts) from a copy of “The Complete Lyrics of Neil Diamond.”

Diamond himself wrote in a personal letter inside the playbill that he likely would have performed for many more years, echoing the likes of Tony Bennett, Willie Nelson, Frankie Valle and others. For them, the euphoria fans feel when they hear songs such as “Sweet Caroline” or, for me personally, “Brother Love’s Traveling Salvation Show” is reciprocated to the artist.

In other words, to borrow a famous cliché that nonetheless rings true, it never grows old. Artists do, however, sadly, and unfortunately that often comes with the disappearance of the magic they could once create - not the desire, however.

Music is like their children. Imagine being told you can no longer have access to your own child. We would call on all the memories of the many times we spent with them, laughing, crying and remembering the plethora of emotions we shared over the years.

That is what Diamond is doing in “A Beautiful Noise.” Each song is a moment in his life, a life that featured a vast array of struggles and success.

Though we are never fully told why, Diamond dealt with a darkness around him that he could never shake. Even after he developed a love for the stage and felt at one with the audience at each performance, he revealed that feeling would slip away shortly after.

The only place he ever really seemed relaxed was onstage, so much so that, as he says in one scene, being on the road became more of a home than his actual home. It led to two marriages going by the wayside, the second ending spotlighted by a moving rendition of “You Don’t Bring Me Flowers” by Neil then and his soon to be ex Marcia (Hannah Jewel Kohn).

By the way, did you know Diamond went to high school with Barbara Streisand, with whom he recorded that song? In fact, they were in the choir together at Erasmus High School in Brooklyn, New York.

Kohn also performs a solid version of “Forever In Blue Jeans,” Diamond’s song in which he dreams of living a simpler life.

Diamond didn’t even realize his own singing talent at a young age and appeared destined to be the guy who writes songs that others turn into hits, such as the Monkees with “I’m a Believer.” Then, after producer Ellie Greenwich (Heidi Kettenring) told him he has a voice that sounds like “gravel wrapped in velvet” he stepped in front of the microphone and a legendary career was born - albeit often amidst his own doubt.

For example, when Marcia sarcastically says to him “Woe is me” he responds with “What if woe is me?” It seems as if while he loved his success, he always wanted to be just Neil from Flatbush and lived in fear of never being able to return to that person.

Perhaps Diamond’s most telling song is “I Am, I Said.” The lyrics and music convey the story of someone whose success took them to a place where they are struggling to find comfort. It’s a memorable moment in the show when Neil now and Neil then combine to perform it, bringing some closure to it all for Diamond - and both sounding very much like the real Diamond.

In a unique way, Westenberg and Caskey display a solid chemistry with each performance complementing the other. Westenberg brings out both our pity and respect as we watch him relive the splendor of one of the greatest careers a musician has ever known while fighting through a personal haunting.

And the stage is electrified each time Caskey comes on. As compelling as the story is, it’s Diamond’s music folks came for most of all - and he delivers mightily.

While I have been fortunate to see many concerts in my life, seeing Diamond perform live was always a bucket list item for me. That won’t happen, of course, but now I feel as if I’ve seen the next best thing and gotten an insight into the human being behind the legend as well.