‘American Idol’ winner brings Neil Diamond’s life story, greatest hits to Wharton stage

Nick Fradiani — the 2015 winner of “American Idol” — doesn’t remember his first concert, but it has become more significant to his life than many others he does recall.

“My father’s a big Neil Diamond fan. He’s also a musician,” Fradiani, 39, said. “We saw him in Connecticut. I don’t remember it at all. As a musician, you always want to know what your first concert was. I remember my dad telling me, ‘When you were 3, we took you to see Neil Diamond.’”

Fradiani is the lead in the national tour of “A Beautiful Noise,” the Neil Diamond musical, playing a young version of the acclaimed singer-songwriter. The Broadway hit makes its East Lansing premiere next week at Michigan State University’s Wharton Center.

“It’s definitely a full-circle moment,” Fradiani said. “Not one that I remember, but my dad finds it pretty wild that it happened.”

Created in collaboration with Diamond himself, the plot of “A Beautiful Noise” (named after his 1976 album) finds a present-day Diamond (Tony nominee Robert Westenberg) talking to his therapist. As they speak, Diamond flashes back to his younger days, from his boyhood in New York City to his rise to stardom as a young man.

Diamond, 84, has been performing since 1962. Known for hits like “America,” “Forever in Blue Jeans,” “Heartlight” and the iconic “Sweet Caroline,” he’s sold more than 130 million records worldwide, making him one of the best-selling musicians of all time. He’s been inducted into the Songwriters and Rock & Roll halls of fame and received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2018. He made his film debut in 1980’s “The Jazz Singer,” which starred Hollywood legend Laurence Olivier.

“When Neil and I first started talking about making a musical using his music, I knew how daunting that would be,” producer Bob Gaudio said. “With ‘Jersey Boys,’ I learned how vital it is to have a first-rate creative team making sure everything weaves together. We have that on ‘A Beautiful Noise’: an incisive book that tells Neil’s story honestly, fantastic choreography, one of the best directors on Broadway guiding the entire production and, of course, Neil’s iconic songs.”

When asked what attracted him to “A Beautiful Noise,” Fradiani said the answer is “all over the place.”

“Neil was a big part of my childhood. We listened to his Christmas albums. My dad used to watch ‘The Jazz Singer.’ So, I had these memories of him,” he said.

After completing a national tour of “A Bronx Tale” from 2019 to 2020, Fradiani fell in love with acting and developed a fascination with musical theater. When he learned about “A Beautiful Noise,” he messaged his agent and expressed interest in playing Diamond. However, Broadway vet Will Swenson was cast in the role.

“Months and months later, my agent told me, ‘I know you’ve been interested in this musical. They’re looking for an understudy. I’m not sure if that’s what you want to do.’ I’m like, ‘Hey, just get me in the room,’” Fradiani said. “They got me into the room, and I booked the understudy, which became the alternate on Broadway. I went on once a week, then twice a week for the first year. I took over the role in the second year.”

In his early performances as Diamond, Fradiani likened himself to “a deer in headlights.”

“I sometimes overdid my interpretation of him. I didn’t want it to become a hokey impersonation. I think I was trying too hard,” he said.

He found that as he loosened up a little, his impersonation became more believable.

“I was able to find my own voice within his voice,” he said. “One of the big things in all the reviews is how similar my vocals are. I’m not trying to put on a Neil Diamond voice anymore. Now that I’ve done it, it’s in my bones, in my blood.”

When the Broadway production closed in the summer of 2024, Fradiani transitioned to headlining the national tour.

“It’s been an amazing experience. I think I’ve played the role over 800 times now, which is kind of crazy, but I still have that love for it. I still get really excited about it,” he said.

Fradiani has spoken to Diamond many times since he became the lead.

“Every little detail I tried to find out about him, I did,” Fradiani said. “It was cool that he got to see me perform for the first time in Hollywood. He’s only seen the musical three times: once in Boston, once on Broadway, once at the Pantages (in Hollywood). For him to see it and for us to talk a while definitely made this whole experience worth it for me.”

Fradiani is looking forward to performing at Wharton.

“We’re really excited,” he said. “This is the start of the second year, so East Lansing is one of our first shows in this new year. I think we’ll still have our entire company from the first year in East Lansing.

“For a few people, it’s their final show, so it’ll probably be very emotional for us,” he continued. “Still, it’s a new start. It’ll be a great time.”

During the last three and a half years with the show, Fradiani has formed some lifelong friendships.

“I think I’m the only one left from the pre-Broadway run to year two of the national tour,” he said. “One thing I’ve noticed going from city to city is the love people have for Neil Diamond and for this musical. When people hear this music, you can see them go back to this place in their lives. You see a lot of them crying happy tears at the end. I think the biggest thing for me is seeing how happy this music makes people. It’s just a great vibe all the way around.”