Sweet Caroline in the Pacific Northwest

Seattle is known for grunge, but this week, it's all about sequins. A Beautiful Noise, the Neil Diamond biopic musical, has landed at the Paramount Theatre, and the crowd is going wild.

Ditch the Kids?

Let's be honest: this show isn't for Gen Z (unless they are very cool). It is a love letter to the Boomers and Gen Xers who grew up with "Cracklin' Rosie" and "America." The narrative framing—Diamond in therapy, recounting his life—is a bit clunky, but it serves as a vehicle to get from one hit to the next. And that is what the audience is here for.

The Performance

Nick Fradiani plays "Neil - Then," capturing the raw energy of the singer in his prime. His voice is uncannily close to the real thing, scratching that gravelly itch that defines Diamond's sound. The standout moment, predictably, is the finale. When "Sweet Caroline" starts, the entire theater is on its feet, swaying and chanting "So good! So good!"

Verdict

It won't win a Pulitzer for drama, but as a concert experience wrapped in a play? It is a diamond in the rough.

A Beautiful Noise runs through Jan 18.