RICH LOPEZ | Staff writer
Rich@DallasVoice.com

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.

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.

“Some of my most thrilling nights have been while I was on tour, bringing my music to audiences across the world,” Diamond said about the show in a press release. “Having A Beautiful Noise go on tour is an honor, and I can’t wait for audiences across North America to experience this show.

Queer, nonbinary Gen Z-er Jer

“I hope they enjoy it as much as I have.”

But the real question may be: Can the audience resist the urge to “pom-pom-pom” during “Sweet Caroline?”

“We encourage them to sing along,” cast member Jer said. “We bring the lights up in the house a little, to look them in the eyes and sing with them. There’s 100 percent audience participation.”

Well, there’s your answer.

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

“When 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,” they said.

Now, they listen to Neil Diamond every day — because it’s their job.

The singer of “America,” “Forever in Blue Jeans” and “Solitary Man” isn’t 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’s music.

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

“I’m so lucky to cover roles that are different from each other. But when I do cover the song ‘Shilo’ which comes at the climax of Neil’s journey,” it’s a highlight, they said.

“It’s a beautiful piece that talks about a child escaping inner turmoil, and, as a queer kid from Hawaii, I felt that,” Jer said. “So 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.”

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.

“I really found a community of people that allowed me to express myself,” they said. “They 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.”

Jer explained how queerness always existed in Hawaii’s indigenous culture. In Hawaiian culture, mâhû refers to two-spirit individuals who embody male and female aspects. Historically, mâhû were seen as shamans and teachers but the term would also become a derogatory one.

“The aspect has always been there, and we have the spiritual mâhû, but the term took on a negative aspect,” Jer said. “Much of that was because of colonialism which promoted [homophobia], but there’s been more reclamation of the word.”

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 — unless they are on the road for a national tour.

“Once I got to college, I knew I was going to be by myself far away from home,” they said. “As a queer kid in theater, I definitely had my ups and downs, but I’m lucky to come out the other end and find love and have love in my support system.”

Jer has clearly turned that heartlight on, all on their own.

For tickets, visit BassHall.com.

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