"It all looks and sounds great, but the clock is ticking — therapy! — and we are no closer to understanding the real Neil."
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" 'A Beautiful Noise' is a suitable tribute to him; in its biggest numbers it resembles an old-school Vegas-style impersonation show, recreating concert moments for the benefit of an audience that is happy to embark on a musical nostalgia trip."
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"The real reason for a show like this, of course, is not to do a deep dive into its subject’s psyche but rather to deliver full-throttle versions of the hits that baby boomers, those theatergoers with the most disposable income, grew up hearing."
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"Despite being a lukewarm look at the Brooklyn-born superstar, the show headlined by Will Swenson will nonetheless appeal to Diamond’s ardent fans...Plenty of theatregoers at my performance didn’t have to be asked twice or need another sip of “Red, Red Wine” to noisily join in."
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"The thing is, there’s just not much of a show there. The show and the audience aren’t here for the storm clouds, they’re here for the good times, which never seemed so good."
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"This smoothly produced show’s presentation of his semi-symphonic rock and sentimental balladry failed to convert me. I’m still not a believer...'A Beautiful Noise' merely underscores the truth that, to tweak the cliché, beauty is in the ear of the listener."
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"The musical’s decision to save it up till the end provides one of its more emotional moments...'A Beautiful Noise' could have used some dramatic stakes from the get-go."
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"Diamond was a kind of talisman, and his music, filled with his signature blend of macho groan and sweet melodiousness, is complex enough to stand a show like this."
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