Neil Diamond Musical to Premiere in Melbourne in 2026

Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events, Steve Dimopoulos, together with producers Ken Davenport, Bob Gaudio, Paul Dainty AO and TEG Dainty, have announced that A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical will make its Australian premiere exclusively in Melbourne in August 2026 at The Princess Theatre. The announcement comes on the eve of the 53rd anniversary of the recording of Neil Diamond’s iconic Hot August Night album in 1972, a landmark moment in music history that holds a special place in the hearts of Australian fans.
 

The waitlist for information and tickets is open now, visit www.theneildiamondmusical.com.au

 
Created in collaboration with Neil Diamond himself, A Beautiful Noise is the true story of how a kid from Brooklyn became a chartbusting, show-stopping American rock icon. With 120 million albums sold, a catalogue of classics like "America," "Forever in Blue Jeans," and "Sweet Caroline," an induction into the Songwriters and Rock and Roll Halls of Fame, a Grammy® Lifetime Achievement Award, and sold-out concerts around the world that made him bigger than Elvis, Neil Diamond's story was made to shine on Broadway - and the world.
 
Like Jersey Boys and Beautiful: The Carole King Musical before it, A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical  — from the Australian producers of TINA - The Tina Turner Musical — is a musical memoir, that tells the untold true story of how America's greatest hitmaker became a star, set to the songs that defined his career.
  
Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos said, “The good times never seemed so good for our calendar of major events – this musical is yet another reason Melbourne is the cultural and major events capital of the nation giving locals and visitors alike exclusive experiences.
 
“We know fans will turn out in their thousands to see the life and work of the legendary Neil Diamond celebrated in this musical which will also provide a boost for local jobs and businesses.”

 
Visit Victoria CEO Brendan McClements added, “Melbourne isn’t just the nation’s sporting capital, it’s the cultural capital, too – and Australian premieres like this highlight what makes us ‘Every bit different.’”
 
Legendary singer-songwriter Neil Diamond’s bond with Australia has been nothing short of extraordinary. He has undertaken seven major concert tours across the country—beginning with the Thank You Australia tour in 1976 and followed by memorable returns in 1992, 1996, 1999, 2005, 2011 and 2015—his anthems resonating deeply with audiences and securing his place as a cherished figure in Australian music history for nearly half a century. His iconic 1972 live album, Hot August Night, spent 29 weeks at number one in 1973 and 1974 and 65 weeks on the chart, making it the third-longest-charting album of the era in Australian music history.
 
"Some of my most thrilling nights have been while sharing my music with audiences around the world,” said Neil Diamond. "A Beautiful Noise has already had an incredible journey on Broadway and is currently touring across the U.S. and it’s an incredible honour to see it heading to Melbourne. I hope Australian audiences enjoy the show as much as I have.”
 
“Bringing A Beautiful Noise to Melbourne is extremely special for me,” said Paul Dainty AO, President and CEO of TEG DAINTY. “I’ve had the great privilege of working with Neil as his Australian promoter for decades, and this production is a powerful celebration of his life and music. I know Melbourne audiences will be moved by the joy, emotion, and unforgettable songs that have made Neil a legend.”
 
Producer Ken Davenport said, “Neil is one of the best live entertainers the world has ever seen. In his fifty-year career, he’s performed for millions of fans around the globe. Australia has always been home to some of his most passionate and loyal fans.  I couldn’t imagine a more perfect way to honour his legacy than seeing A Beautiful Noise produced in Melbourne, Australia, where he gave so many people so much joy.”

 
Producer Bob Gaudio said, “When Neil and I first started talking about making a musical using his music, I knew how daunting that would be. With Jersey Boys, I learned how vital it is to have a first-rate creative team making sure everything weaves together. We have that on A Beautiful Noise — an incisive book that tells Neil’s story honestly, fantastic choreography, one of the best directors on Broadway guiding the entire production, and of course, Neil’s iconic songs.”
 
A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical   is directed by Tony Award® winner Michael Mayer (Spring Awakening, Hedwig and the Angry Inch), choreographed by Olivier Award winner Steven Hoggett (Once, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child), and written by four-time Academy Award nominee Anthony McCarten (Bohemian Rhapsody, The Two Popes). The design team for A BEAUTIFUL NOISE features Tony Award winner David Rockwell (Scenic Design), Tony Award nominee Emilio Sosa(Costume Design), four-time Tony Award winner Kevin Adams (Lighting Design), Tony Award winner Jessica Paz (Sound Design), and Luc Verschueren (Hair, Wig and Make Up Design). The production has Music Supervision and Arrangements by Sonny Paladino, Incidental Music and Dance Music Arrangements by Brian Usifer, Vocal Design by AnnMarie Milazzo, and Orchestrations by Bob Gaudio, Sonny Paladino, and Brian Usifer.
 
A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical  will make its Australian premiere exclusively in Melbourne in August 2026 at The Princess Theatre.
 
A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical  cast will be announced soon!

www.theneildiamondmusical.com.au

@theneildiamondmusicalau

US production images by Jeremy Daniel.

A LETTER FROM NEIL DIAMOND
 

The idea of a Broadway musical about my life has always been a daunting one. It wasn’t until the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease prematurely ended my touring career that I started to seriously consider the prospect.
 
I say “prematurely” because my heart and soul would tour until the day I die if only my body would cooperate. My friend and longtime producer Bob Gaudio had some success with his little show, Jersey Boys (perhaps you’ve heard of it?), so I went to him for some guidance on where to begin.
 
Bob brought in Ken Davenport and together they built the incredible creative team that became, A Beautiful Noise. When Anthony McCarten came on board, we spent hours talking. It was his idea to frame the show in the context of therapy sessions. I loved the idea and never shied away from talking about my years of psychoanalysis. There used to be a stigma around talking about mental health and thankfully through the years, it’s become an important and accepted topic of conversation.
 
Sitting in the theatre and watching the show has itself been therapeutic: reliving some joyful and some of the painful parts of my life, wishing perhaps that if I could only make a few edits in the script, it would change some of the reality of what I was seeing. But in the end, coming to terms with my life and accepting it has somehow come full circle.
 
I feel fortunate and full of gratitude for all the people in my life. It is each of them who have impacted and shaped me in their own way to get me to the place where I am now...a better man. A better father. A better husband. A better songwriter.
 
I’d like to thank Marcia and Jaye, this story wouldn’t be possible without you. My children and grandchildren for your most important supporting roles in my life. My wife, Katie, who encouraged me to keep going through this process and finally, to Dr. Lu Katzman, my long-time therapist who inspired this story. May she rest in peace.