Neil Diamond Comes Out of Retirement For Rare Performance at the Opening of His Broadway Musical

The music icon retired five years ago due to a battle with Parkinson's disease.

Neil Diamond surprised the crowd with a performance at the opening night of his musical over the weekend, marking his first time singing in front of an audience since his retirement from touring five years ago.

The new Broadway show, A Beautiful Noise, The Neil Diamond Musical, debuted on Sunday, Dec. 4, with the legend himself gracing the audience with an impromptu performance of his classic hit, "Sweet Caroline."

In a video of the sweet moment shared to Twitter on Wednesday, Diamond, 81, was seen alongside his wife Katie McNeil at the Broadhurst Theater in New York City while giving an impassioned performance of the 1969 smash hit.

Diamond announced his retirement from touring in 2018 following a diagnosis with Parkinson's disease, causing him to cancel the third leg of his 50th anniversary tour at the time.

Since retiring from touring, the Grammy-winner has still been producing music, and even popped up for a surprise performance in Massachusetts earlier this year, where he played the Boston anthem "Sweet Caroline" for Fenway Park.

"I don't know who needs to hear this but Neil Diamond, who retired from performing five years ago because of Parkinsons, just had a Broadway show of him open and at the opening night he did this," a Twitter user wrote alongside the now-viral clip of Diamond performing on Sunday.

More videos from the special night have also been circulating on TikTok, with fans everywhere unable to contain their emotions over Diamond's surprise performance.

"He’s still got it !!" one user gushed under a TikTok post by the name of @YesBroadway.

"The one artist that I would love to see in concert. I know I am probably never will so what a joy for you all to experience this," another person added.

The official Instagram account for the new Broadway musical also shared footage from the "unforgettable" opening night, including shots of the roaring crowd cheering on Diamond.

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"Good times have officially arrived on Broadway! Take a look inside the unforgettable opening night of A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical! 💎" the post's caption read.

"A remarkable Opening! Once-In-A-Lifetime!" one fan gushed in the comments.

"Love this video. Must have been amazing to be there that night!!" another person added.

Find more information on A Beautiful Noise, The Neil Diamond Musical on Broadway right here.