One of my favorite things about producing is the moments that remind you why we do what we do.

And last week, there was a BIG one.

Neil Diamond  (yes, THE Neil Diamond) showed up to the Hollywood Pantages Theatre to see A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical on tour.

The show has already been thrilling audiences around the country on tour but on this particular night, you could feel something extra electric in the air . . . because the legend himself was in the room.

A room where he was in before . . . not because he played it.  The Pantages was actually too small for Neil Diamond concerts.  No, that’s where The Jazz Singer was shot!  It was a historic night to have him back in the building.

And when Neil Diamond stood to wave to the audience? The ovation shook the rafters. 

People cried. People laughed. And of course . . . they all sang along to “Sweet Caroline” like it was the national anthem.

I always say that theater at its best is a conversation between the people on stage and the people in the seats. And last week, Neil Diamond got to sit in those seats and feel what his music means to the world.

It’s a powerful reminder that the stories we tell on stage, especially the ones based on real people, matter. Not just to the audience, but to the very people who lived them.

And as a Producer, a creator, a theatermaker, that’s my job . . . to entertain and inspire.  And I know that’s what Neil’s story does on stage, and what he did when he sang along to Sweet Caroline with all those fans. Congratulations to the whole A Beautiful Noise team for giving Neil Diamond (and all of us) a night to remember.

Good times never seemed so good!

P.S. Nick Fradiani just announced he’s staying on for Year 2 of the North American Tour! Check out the new cities announced for Year 2 HERE.