Jukebox biomusical A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical will hold open call auditions for the leading role of Neil Diamond–Then. Actors who can sing and play the guitar are invited to attend the open call Tuesday, February 13 from 10:00 AM-4:00 PM at New York City's The Bitter End, the live music venue that helped to launch Diamond's career.
Sign up begins at 9:15 AM, and performers will be seen on a first come, first served basis. Actors should prepare 16-32 bars of a Diamond song of their choice, and may either accompany themselves on the guitar or bring sheet music for an accompanist. Auditionees should also bring a headshot and resume.
Those who are not able to attend the open call in person are invited to send a link to a self-tape, a headshot, and a resume to [email protected] by Friday, February 16 at 6:00 PM ET. Self-tapes should include a slate, and 16-32 bars of a Diamond song backed by an accompaniment track or playing the guitar. Tapes should be uploaded publicly on YouTube, including the hashtag #CastingNeilDiamond, and with the following in the video's description: "This is for the 2024 Open Call for the role of Neil Diamond in A Beautiful Noise, The Neil Diamond Musical."
The character breakdown for Neil Diamond (Then) is as follows: "Neil–Then (Male, White, Late 20s-Early 40s). Neil Diamond is a singer-songwriter and one of the best-selling musicians of all time. This track plays Neil Diamond throughout his younger life. Must be a very strong rock singer and actor. Must be able to play guitar."
As previously reported, the North American tour of A Beautiful Noise will launch in fall 2024. Details on international productions have not yet been announced.
The Broadway production opened at the Broadhurst Theatre December 4, 2022. Directed by Tony winner Michael Mayer, A Beautiful Noise takes a look at the life of Diamond then and now, accompanied by hits from his decades-long career in popular music. All songs are written or co-written by Diamond.
The current Broadway cast features Nick Fradiani as Neil Diamond–Then, Mark Jacoby as Neil Diamond–Now, Amber Ardolino as Marcia Murphy, and Shirine Babb as Doctor, with Jessie Fisher as Jaye Posner, Michael McCormick as Fred Weintraub/Tommy O’Rourke, Tom Alan Robbins as Bert Berns/Kieve Diamond, and Bri Sudia as Ellie Greenwich/Rose Diamond.
The creative team includes choreographer Steven Hoggett, scenic designer David Rockwell, costume designer Emilio Sosa, lighting designer Kevin Adams, sound designer Jessica Paz, and hair and wig designer Luc Verschueren. Music supervision and arrangements are by Sonny Paladino with incidental music and dance music arrangements by Brian Usifer, and vocal design by AnnMarie Milazzo.
