Backstage with Danie Steel of ‘A Beautiful Noise’

Long before Danie Steel found herself performing on stages across the country, she was a little girl in upstate New York searching for stability and belonging. Growing up in foster care, separated from her siblings and navigating poverty, Steel discovered an unexpected refuge in the performing arts. A scholarship to a private Catholic school introduced her to choir and theater, and after seeing a production of Peter Pan, she knew she wanted to become an actress.

Today, Steel is bringing that childhood ambition to the national touring production of A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical, portraying the Doctor, a therapist who helps the legendary singer reflect on his extraordinary career and complicated personal life. Although the musical celebrates one of America's most successful recording artists, Steel's journey to the stage is a compelling story of resilience and determination all on its own.

"It's never easy," Steel admitted. "I continue to push forward just to hope to inspire someone from my background to keep going in their dreams the way that I have."

Danie Steel. Courtesy photo

Steel's pursuit of acting eventually led her to the University at Buffalo, where she double-majored in communication and theater, followed by graduate training at The New School for Drama. But breaking into professional theater proved challenging. 

“It was a lot of free work and hustling and off-Broadway and readings and just doing everything that I could to advance in my craft,” she explained. “The pandemic hit and I gained a lot of weight and I knew I've got to get my life back together. I had an opportunity to move to LA, and that really changed my life. I started doing improv classes and standup comedy and really discovering myself as an individual instead of just living my whole life to be an actor.”

The COVID-19 pandemic became a turning point. After gaining considerable weight and feeling disconnected from herself, she began a journey to rebuild and rediscover herself, ultimately losing more than 100 pounds over roughly four years. The experience helped her discover an identity beyond acting while confronting the entertainment industry's expectations surrounding appearance.

“I actually decided I would not audition until I lost the weight,” she recalled. “[People] were being nice to me because they assumed I was a plus-size actress in these spaces. Then I started losing weight and people started taking me more seriously and I started getting work.”

Danie Steel in ‘Corduroy’. Courtesy image.

For Steel, the challenges extended beyond auditions. Growing up without financial security or a consistent support system meant navigating professional spaces where many of her peers had advantages she had never experienced.

"There are very few stories of people who actually grew up in abject poverty being successful in this business,” she lamented. “You have to have a support system. You have to have resources to be able to be an artist, and the less you have, the harder it's made from all sides. It just never gets any easier. Even when you get the talent you still have to deal with classism because you weren't taught how to be in these spaces and around these people.”

When she did resume auditioning, opportunities began arriving, including A Beautiful Noise. Steel knew relatively little about Neil Diamond when she accepted her role. She deliberately waited until rehearsals to explore his music, believing her unfamiliarity might help her approach the character authentically. What she discovered was an extensive catalog of recognizable songs, including "Sweet Caroline," "Red Red Wine" and "I'm a Believer," along with personal favorites in "Solitary Man."

The musical follows Diamond's life through conversations between his older self and the Doctor, using memories to revisit his relationships, career and personal struggles. Steel's character remains onstage for much of the production, helping guide a narrative that balances elaborate musical performances with moments of emotional reflection.

For an actress accustomed to portraying assertive characters, the Doctor requires a different kind of strength.

"They kept telling me, 'Gentle, gentle, be gentle with him,'" Steel recalled with a laugh.

Although she admits being saddened that her character has few opportunities to sing or dance, — she’s on the outside looking in — she appreciates the importance of the Doctor's role in revealing the vulnerability behind Diamond's public persona. She was particularly struck by the musical's willingness to explore difficult aspects of the singer's life rather than presenting a straightforward celebration of his accomplishments.

"I think audiences will really enjoy this show,” Steel said. “It's kind of like a redemption story. I was surprised that someone with his wealth and fame — he doesn't have to be this transparent — allowed such transparency of his life to be put into this show.

Danie Steel meeting young audience members after a performance of ‘Corduroy’ in Mammoth Lakes, California. Courtesy image.

For Steel, A Beautiful Noise represents another chapter in a journey defined by perseverance and reinvention. The little girl who discovered the magic of theater while watching Peter Pan has grown into a performer determined not only to fulfill her own dreams but also to encourage others to pursue theirs.

"Hone your craft,” she said. “When you do that, you have something that no one can ever take away from you. It doesn't matter how they interact with you, it doesn't matter how they treat you, it doesn't matter what they do. They can't ignore your talent. And talent has to be honed with discipline and commitment.

And while the applause may eventually fade, the example she hopes to set could resonate long after the curtain falls.

A Beautiful Noise runs November 3—8 at Bass Concert Hall in Austin, Texas and tickets are available at TexasPerformingArts.org and BroadwayinAustin.com.