{"id":329408,"date":"2025-10-24T15:13:11","date_gmt":"2025-10-24T15:13:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/329408\/"},"modified":"2025-10-24T15:13:11","modified_gmt":"2025-10-24T15:13:11","slug":"queer-performer-forged-a-path-from-hawaii-to-the-national-tour-of-the-neil-diamond-musical-a-beautiful-noise","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/329408\/","title":{"rendered":"Queer performer forged a path from Hawaii to the national tour of the Neil Diamond musical \u2018A Beautiful Noise\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

RICH LOPEZ | Staff writer<\/strong>
Rich@DallasVoice.com<\/a><\/p>\n

The karaoke vibes are gonna be high at Bass Hall when Performing Arts Fort Worth, owner and operator of Bass, presents A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical in a week-long run, Oct. 28-Nov. 2.<\/p>\n

American Idol 2015 winner Nick Fradiani stars in the role of the music icon and his story of a Brooklyn boy who made it to the top of the charts and, ultimately, the Songwriters and Rock and Roll halls of fame.<\/p>\n

\u201cSome of my most thrilling nights have been while I was on tour, bringing my music to audiences across the world,\u201d Diamond said about the show in a press release. \u201cHaving A Beautiful Noise go on tour is an honor, and I can\u2019t wait for audiences across North America to experience this show.<\/p>\n

\"\"Queer, nonbinary Gen Z-er Jer<\/p>\n

\u201cI hope they enjoy it as much as I have.\u201d<\/p>\n

But the real question may be: Can the audience resist the urge to \u201cpom-pom-pom\u201d during \u201cSweet Caroline?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe encourage them to sing along,\u201d cast member Jer said. \u201cWe bring the lights up in the house a little, to look them in the eyes and sing with them. There\u2019s 100 percent audience participation.\u201d<\/p>\n

Well, there\u2019s your answer.<\/p>\n

As Fradiani handles the daunting task as Diamond (Then), Jer \u2013 just Jer \u2013 does their part in the ensemble \u2014 collectively known as The Noise \u2014 as dance captain and swing. Considering they are a queer, nonbinary, Gen Z-er, it\u2019s easy to assume the legendary singer may not have been on their radar. And Jer was surprised.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I first saw the show on Broadway, I came in not knowing much about [Diamond], but hearing a bunch of his songs, it turned out I knew more of them than I thought I would,\u201d they said.<\/p>\n

Now, they listen to Neil Diamond every day \u2014 because it\u2019s their job.<\/p>\n

The singer of \u201cAmerica,\u201d \u201cForever in Blue Jeans\u201d and \u201cSolitary Man\u201d isn\u2019t quite among the pantheon of queer favorites. Or rather, LGBTQ+ music fans may not immediately think of Diamond when it comes to pop artists who speak to them. But in working on the show, Jer has found some connecting tissue between their own identity and Diamond\u2019s music.<\/p>\n

As a swing, Jer can jump into a number of roles, but one song they often cover has resonated much with the Hawaiian native.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m so lucky to cover roles that are different from each other. But when I do cover the song \u2018Shilo\u2019 which comes at the climax of Neil\u2019s journey,\u201d it\u2019s a highlight, they said.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a beautiful piece that talks about a child escaping inner turmoil, and, as a queer kid from Hawaii, I felt that,\u201d Jer said. \u201cSo to cover that specifically does a lot and, I think, speaks volumes to a bunch of kids, both queer and theater kids, who see the show.\u201d<\/p>\n

As a teen from Hawaii, Jer discovered performing arts through a program that allowed them to take free classes and lessons while they were in high school. At the same time, they were discovering their own queerness. Both seemed to organically put Jer on a path.<\/p>\n

\u201cI really found a community of people that allowed me to express myself,\u201d they said. \u201cThey also helped point me in the right direction and, through that, I ended up in Ohio for college at Otterbein University which has a great performing arts program.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jer explained how queerness always existed in Hawaii\u2019s indigenous culture. In Hawaiian culture, m\u00e2h\u00fb refers to two-spirit individuals who embody male and female aspects. Historically, m\u00e2h\u00fb were seen as shamans and teachers but the term would also become a derogatory one.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe aspect has always been there, and we have the spiritual m\u00e2h\u00fb, but the term took on a negative aspect,\u201d Jer said. \u201cMuch of that was because of colonialism which promoted [homophobia], but there\u2019s been more reclamation of the word.\u201d<\/p>\n

Proud of their heritage, Jer considers themselves fortunate to have forged a path in their career on the way-other side of the country, based as they are now in New York \u2014 unless they are on the road for a national tour.<\/p>\n

\u201cOnce I got to college, I knew I was going to be by myself far away from home,\u201d they said. \u201cAs a queer kid in theater, I definitely had my ups and downs, but I\u2019m lucky to come out the other end and find love and have love in my support system.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jer has clearly turned that heartlight on, all on their own. <\/p>\n

For tickets, visit BassHall.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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