If you are interested in Neil Diamond and his music, run don’t walk to the 3,000 Miles Off Broadway Productions production of “Hot August Night! A Tribute to Neil Diamond” at The Monroe/ Forum Theatre at The El Portal Theatre in the NoHo Arts District running through June 15th.
The story behind the show is that with the release of the live double album “Hot August Night” in 1972, which he recorded during a string of sold-out shows at The Greek Theatre in Los Angeles, Diamond, so to speak, put the live record on the map.
This tribute, then, is based in part on those concerts.
Lead singer, guitarist and Diamond impersonator Dean Colley sings and tells jokes to a nearly sold out audience on the Saturday evening that this critic saw the tribute.
Indeed, Colley may not be Diamond, but he is the next best thing.
Dressed in blue and red sequined shirts, Colley’s presence, and especially his voice, are all Diamond.
Capturing the misunderstood spirit, desperate longing, romantic needs and loving grace that personify Diamond with panache, passion and purity, Colley understands and comprehends his alter ego perfectly and profoundly.
Colley is not a singer pretending to be Diamond, but a kindred spirit and wayward traveler who understands Diamond as an artist, but more importantly, a human being.
Colley makes his way through just about the entire Diamond catalog (23 songs), producing memorable turns on such songs as “Street Life,” Kentucky Woman,” Forever in Blue Jeans,” “Shiloh” and “Song Sung Blue” in the First Act, and belting out classics such as “Red, Red Wine,” “Love On The Rocks,” “I Am, I Said,” “Desiree,” “Cracklin Rosie,” “Sweet Caroline,” “Brother Love’s Traveling Salvation Show,” “Holly Holy,” and “Coming To America” in the Second Act.
But the highlight of the evening is Colley’s duet with backup singer Maira Baerela on “You Don’t Bring Me Flowers,” which proves hauntingly similar to Diamond’s 1978 duet with Barbra Streisand.
The two voices meld like sand and sea, and display enough tenderness and sensitivity to touch an audience ten times the size.
The band backing up Colley seems to understand him and Diamond spiritually, artistically and musically. It does not miss a beat, rhythm or harmony.
The band is made up of Ty Dennis on Drums, Aaron Simpson on Bass and Vocals, Barry Wehrli on Keyboard and Vocals, Terence Elliott on Lead Guitar and Vocals and Baerela on Vocals.
All in all, “Hot August Night” is for any music lover, whether Diamond fan or not. It will remain a musical memory for anyone lucky enough to see it for a long, long time.
On a hot June night you can literally see the next best thing to Neil Diamond performing near your living room in North Hollywood.
And be the better for it.
When:
Friday, Saturday 8pm
Saturday, Sunday 3pm
Tickets:
$37-$46
Admission/Information:
(818) 508-4200
(818) 508-0281
Where:
Monroe/Forum Theatre
At The El Portal Theatre
5269 Lankershim Blvd.
North Hollywood, CA 91601