54 | DECEMBER 26 • 2024
J
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ARTS&LIFE
THEATRE

W

hat better way to kick off
the combo Chanukah/
Christmas season this
year than by attending A Beautiful
Noise at the Fisher Theatre?
Hannah Jewel Kohn will certainly
be there. Center stage,
in fact. And then she’ll
head to her parents’
house in Walled Lake for
what, undoubtedly, will
be an epic holiday soiree
for 50 of her fellow
cast, crew and orchestra
members.
Kohn, who grew up in West
Bloomfield, returns to Michigan
for her first time performing at the
Fisher Theatre. As the female lead in
A Beautiful Noise - The Neil Diamond
Musical, Kohn stars as Diamond’s
second wife, Marcia Murphey, who
was married to Diamond from 1969-
1995 and shares two sons with him.
She was instrumental in helping
Diamond reach rock icon status in
his legendary career.
“I am just overjoyed to be coming
home to celebrate the holidays
with my family and friends,” says
Kohn, who has lined up shuttles to
transport everyone after the first
show, heated tents for the backyard,
a fabulous caterer and, of course,
chocolate gelt.
“I am so excited to come back to
Michigan and perform on the stage
where I saw so many Broadway
shows growing up.”
Kohn says that her parents, Mark
and Leslee Kohn, will light the
Chanukah candles at the party and
there will be guitars available for
impromptu singalongs.
Following the Broadway run of
A Beautiful Noise, American Idol
winner Nick Fradiani will reprise his
role as “Neil Diamond-Then” and
Tony nominee Robert Westenberg
plays “Neil Diamond-Now” in the
first national tour that kicked off in
September.
Born in Brooklyn and raised
by his Jewish parents, Diamond’s

grandparents were Polish and
Russian immigrants. A Beautiful
Noise is Diamond’s musical memoir
of his rise to fame complete with all
his timeless classics including “Sweet
Caroline,” “Kentucky Woman,”
“Cracklin’ Rosie,” “Love on the
Rocks,” “Forever in Blue Jeans,”
“You Don’t Bring Me Flowers,” “
A
Beautiful Noise” and many more.
“It’s a really touching story with a
lot of Jewish humor,” Kohn said. “I
think everyone will find themselves
in somebody on that stage and you’ll
feel really moved by the story. You’ll
feel like you’re at a real-life concert.
“I have this fond memory of
hearing ‘Sweet Caroline’ at a
bar mitzvah growing up. And I
remember all the adults rushing onto
the dance floor and singing, clapping
and dancing along to that song,” said
Kohn, who had a Broadway-themed
bat mitzvah at Temple Israel.
“My character, Marcia Murphey,
really believes in Neil Diamond’s
special talent. He was determined
to embellish on his gift, and she
pushes him to perfect his craft,”
Kohn said. “I feel very connected to
the show because I’m reliving a lot
of my childhood. My parents always
wanted the best for me and believed
in me, and they wanted to keep me
safe and supported, just how Neil
Diamond’s family did for him. So, I
feel accepted and celebrated for my
Judaism.
“The story is so uplifting and
exhilarating. It will leave you feeling
so inspired. I really am on Cloud
Nine. Being in this show is a dream
come true.”

LOCAL BEGINNINGS
After Kohn landed the title role in
Annie at West Bloomfield High is
when she realized she wanted to
pursue a musical theater career.
“I loved rehearsals, tech-ing the
show, the costumes, practicing my
lines, dances and songs,” she recalled.
To truly hone her skills and
prepare for a successful life in New

Hannah
Jewel Kohn

Hannah Jewel Kohn makes her

Fisher Theatre debut as the female
lead in A Beautiful Noise.

Home
for the
Holidays

JULIE SMITH YOLLES CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Hannah Jewel
Kohn as Marcia
Murphey in A
Beautiful Noise -
The Neil Diamond
Musical

PHOTOS BY JEREMY DANIEL