This week Playbill checks in with Linda Powell, cast as the Doctor in the jukebox musical A Beautiful Noise at the Broadhurst Theatre.
Powell—who has also been seen on Broadway in On Golden Pond, Trip to Bountiful, and Wilder Wilder Wilder—plays Neil Diamond's no-nonsense therapist in the new musical. The show casts both Will Swenson and Mark Jacoby as the Grammy-winning singer-songwriter and features hits from Diamond's decades-long career in popular music, including "Sweet Caroline" and "America".
A few weeks before the start of 2023, Powell shared her thoughts about her latest stage role and how audiences and producers can help effect change on stage and off.
Powell—whose Off-Broadway credits include Passage, The Christians, The Moors, Jitney, Jar the Floor, and A Doll’s House—has been seen on screen in Dopesick, Modern Love, Madam Secretary, House of Cards, Chicago Fire, Law & Order: SVU, Draw Up & Stare, The Courtroom, and The Report.

What is your typical day like now?
We just opened, so I'm still searching for typical. The preview period had rehearsals during the day and performances at night, so there wasn't time for much else and the end of all of the opening chaos is bleeding right into our holiday schedule. I'm hoping to discover typical after the new year!
What are some of the challenges/rewards of your role as Diamond's therapist?
The challenge for me will always be staying on the balance beam of being present through the entire journey of the show. It's a role that requires a lot of listening, and managing my mind is a big part of the job. The reward of that if I succeed is feeling the quiet listening given back to me from the audience when we reach the top of the hill. That energy—the energy created by the communion of audience and artists (actors, designers, musicians, director, technicians)—is why I love theatre.
Had you been a fan of Neil Diamond before A Beautiful Noise? Do you have a favorite Neil Diamond song?
Yes, I have been! The Jazz Singer and Jonathan Livingston Seagull soundtracks were both albums I wore out. And, of course, for those of us of a certain age, he's just part of the soundtrack of life. My current favorite song is "Play Me," which I didn't really know before the show. Robyn Hurder and Will Swenson have made me fall in love with it.

Are there any parts of the role or the musical that seem particularly poignant/relevant following the events of the past two years?
The past two years have been transformative in so many ways, no? On a personal level, I spent a huge amount of pandemic time with my family, which was a silver lining. We lost my father last year, which led to a lot of transitions and a tightening of bonds. Dad was dealing with Parkinson's and some other health issues towards the end of his life, so the journey of someone facing the reality of time resonates deeply with me.
During this time of reflection and re-education regarding BIPOC artists and artistry, particularly in the theatre, what do you want people (those in power, fellow artists, audiences) to be aware of? What do you want them to consider further?
Broadway is facing a reckoning, and those of us who are BIPOC artists are advocating for change in a unified way that I think is very powerful. Change like we're demanding isn't easy—especially in the commercial world. I would ask audiences to expand their palates, try things outside of your norm. And, I would ask producers to continue to explore ways outside of the box to bring new audiences to our theatres.

What, if anything, did you learn about yourself during the past two years that you didn't already know?
I can roll with some punches!
Do you have any other stage or screen projects in the works?
I'm joyfully committed to my eight shows a week at The Broadhurst for the moment.
Do you have a dream stage role?
Hedda Gabler has always been on my list. I may have missed my window, but...on a big stage...with some makeup....
What organization would you recommend people learn more about or donate to during this time of change?
Thanks for asking that. Two donation suggestions. The Entertainment Community Fund, which supports performers and behind-the-scenes folks in times of need, and The Advancement Project, which focuses on racial justice issues—they do great work.


Ruben Santiago-Hudson and Jeannie Santiago at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Ruben Santiago-Hudson and Jeannie Santiago at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Gavin Creel at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Gavin Creel at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Diane Paulus and guest at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Diane Paulus and guest at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Alan Cumming at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Alan Cumming at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Alan Cumming at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Elaine Joyce Simon at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Elaine Joyce Simon at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Jane Krakowski at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Jane Krakowski at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
David Rockwell at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
David Rockwell at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Irene Gandy and Emilio Sosa at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Martyna Majok at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Martyna Majok at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Max von Essen at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Max von Essen at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Matt DeAngelis at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Matt DeAngelis at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Zachary Piser at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Zachary Piser at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Bernadette Peters and Tom Sorce at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Bernadette Peters and Tom Sorce at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Caitlin Mehner and Danny Strong at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Caitlin Mehner and Danny Strong at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Jason Butler Harner at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Jason Butler Harner at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Bruce Sussman and Rob Shuter at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Bruce Sussman and Rob Shuter at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Kenny Leon at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Kenny Leon at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Clive Davis at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Clive Davis at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Audra McDonald at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Audra McDonald at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Audra McDonald at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
John Gallagher Jr. at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Lynn Nottage at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Lynn Nottage at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Caroline Innerbichler and guest at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Caroline Innerbichler and guest at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Warren Carlyle at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Warren Carlyle at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Kayla Lavine at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Kayla Lavinebat opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Emily Jewel Hoder at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Emily Jewel Hoder at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Donna Murphy and Lance Roberts at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Donna Murphy and Lance Roberts at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Donna Murphy at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Donna Murphy at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Camryn Manheim at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Camryn Manheim at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Claybourne Elder at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Claybourne Elder at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Keenan Scott II at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Lorin Latarro at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Lorin Latarro at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Douglas Lyons and Jamie Boswell at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Douglas Lyons and Jamie Boswell at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Nambi E. Kelley and Daniel Carlton at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Nambi E. Kelley and Daniel Carlton at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Max Clayton at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Max Clayton at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Anthony McCarten at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Anthony McCarten at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Bob Gaudio at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Brenda Vaccaro at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Brenda Vaccaro at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Austin Regan and Michael Mayer at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Austin Regan at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Austin Regan at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Devin Richey and guest at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Devin Richey and guest at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Steve Hoggett and Kyle Callicott at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Steve Hoggett and Kyle Callicott at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Brian Usifer at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Brian Usifer at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Sonny Paladino at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Sonny Paladino at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Tracy Weiler and Ken Davenport at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Tracy Weiler and Ken Davenport at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Will Swenson, Michael Mayer, and Robyn Hurder at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Will Swenson, Michael Mayer, and Robyn Hurder at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Will Swenson and Michael Mayer at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Tom Alan Robbins at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Tom Alan Robbins at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Will Swenson at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Will Swenson at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Robyn Hurder and Will Swenson at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Robyn Hurder and Will Swenson at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Robyn Hurder at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Robyn Hurder at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Robyn Hurder at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Robyn Hurder at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Robyn Hurder at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Linda Powell at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Linda Powell at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Michael McCormick at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Michael McCormick at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Becky Gulsvig at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Becky Gulsvig at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Becky Gulsvig at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Bri Sudia at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Bri Sudia at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Mark Jacoby at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Mark Jacoby at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Nick Fradiani at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Nick Fradiani at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Paige Faure and Becky Gulsvig at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Aaron James McKenzie at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Aaron James McKenzie at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Aaron James McKenzie at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Jordan Dobson at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Jordan Dobson at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Jordan Dobson at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Max Sangerman at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Max Sangerman at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Ninako Donaville at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Ninako Donaville at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Makai Hernandez at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Makai Hernandez opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Pascal Pastrana at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Pascal Pastrana at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Alex Hairston at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Alex Hairston at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Robert Pendilla at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Robert Pendilla at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Kalonjee Gallimore at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Kalonjee Gallimore at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Jess LeProtto at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Jess LeProtto at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Samantha Gershman at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Samantha Gershman at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Samantha Gershman at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Brinie Wallace at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Brinie Wallace at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Brinie Wallace at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Mary Page Nance at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Mary Page Nance at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Tatiana Lofton at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Paige Faure at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Paige Faure at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
MiMi Scardulla at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
MiMi Scardulla at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Neil Diamond and family at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Neil Diamond poses with his family at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Katie McNeil and Neil Diamond at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Katie McNeil and Neil Diamond at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Katie McNeil and Neil Diamond at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Katie McNeil and Neil Diamond at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Neil Diamond at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Katie McNeil and Neil Diamond at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Neil Diamond performs at opening night of A Beautiful Noise
Neil Diamond performs at opening night of A Beautiful Noise