Many artists’ lives have been portrayed in Broadway shows over the past few years, including Cher, Carole King, and The Temptations. Now, “Sweet Caroline” fans can rejoice as a new Neil Diamond musical is in the works.
The new biographical musical will portray the Brooklyn-born singer’s life and career, touching upon highs and lows Diamond faced in the music world. Ken Davenport and Bob Gaudio are set to produce the show with the three-time Academy Award-nominated dramatist Anthony McCarten, known for Bohemian Rhapsody, set to pen the musical’s book. Michael Mayer, the Tony Award-winning director known for American Idiot and Head Over Heels will direct.
McCarten, a New Zealand native, noted in a statement that his childhood home included two pictures: the Pope and Neil Diamond.
“The epic musical catalogue of this Rock and Roll Hall of Famer flowed endlessly off our family record player,” he said. “As a child you took it into yourself, and to this day I can recite the lyrics of his hits deep into their second or third verses. Imagine my excitement, then, when the opportunity arose to work with Neil on a musical based on his life and music. A very, very easy and so sweet ‘Yes!’”
Throughout the past six decades, Diamond has reached ultimate stardom, selling over 130 million records and scoring top hits like “Song Sung Blue,” “Desiree,” “Love On The Rocks,” and “You Bring Me Flowers,” which he sang in a duet alongside the iconic Barbra Streisand. His pop-rock tunes graced the Adult Contemporary charts for years, making him one of the best-selling musicians of all time.
“I’ve always loved Broadway,” Diamond revealed in a statement. “The inspiration for many of my early songs came from shows like West Side Story, My Fair Lady and Fiddler on the Roof, so it seems only fitting to bring my songs to The Great White Way. I’m honored and excited to be working with this great team.”
At this time, no theater, dates, or casting has been announced.