Celebrate Jewish stories at these Broadway shows

Shows about Jewish icons and by Jewish artists abound on the New York stage this season — learn more about all the plays and musicals to support right now.

It’s impossible to overstate Jewish artists' contributions to arts and entertainment history. Fanny Brice paved the way for comediennes in the Ziegfeld Follies, Oscar Levant changed the face of live television (amid his illustrious music career), and the globally renowned Tom Stoppard has earned more Tony Awards than any other playwright.

It’s a joy to see these stories and many more, about and by Jewish artists, represented on the Broadway stage this season. In one show, a young man’s given name eventually makes him one of the most recognizable icons in music. Another captures the love between a pair of parents and their grown son. Sobering stories abound as well, including a timely musical revival based on American historical events.

Recurring themes like assimilation and prejudice run through some of these productions, but so do triumph and pride. Audiences of any background can and should celebrate and support these productions centering on Jewish stories.

Get tickets to a Broadway show on New York Theatre Guide.

A Beautiful Noise, The Neil Diamond Musical

How did Neil Diamond, a struggling Brooklyn-born singer/songwriter from a Jewish family, become the superstar behind 39 albums and hits like “Sweet Caroline,” “America,” “Shiloh,” “Song Song Blue,” and “A Beautiful Noise”? Or, in other words, how did he become the Jewish Elvis, as Diamond was known? This musical, with songs from the Diamond catalog and a script by Anthony McCarten, provides the answer – and reveals that superstardom doesn’t equal happiness.

Will Swenson and Mark Jacoby play the performer at various ages. In a memorable moment, a producer who guides young Neil to his big break tells this “Nice-Jewish-Boy” (her term) not to change his name to Noah Kaminsky and instead keep his given one. He heeds her advice. The rest is Diamond-studded history.

Get A Beautiful Noise tickets now.