54 | DECEMBER 26 • 2024 
J
N

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