American Idol Winner Nick Fradiani to Play Neil Diamond in Broadway’s A Beautiful Noise

Broadway has a new Neil Diamond.

Nick Fradiani — singer and actor who won the 14th season American Idol in 2015 — will step into the shoes of the legendary musician in A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musicalthe producers announced on Thursday.

The biomusical, now open at the Broadhurst Theater in New York, chronicles Diamond’s life through many of the Top 40 hits in his catalog, including songs like “Crunchy Granola Suite,” “Cracklin Rosie,” “Song Sung Blue,” “Cherry, Cherry ” and, of course, “Sweet Caroline”.

Tony nominee Will Swenson appeared as Diamond during out-of-town rehearsals — one of two actors playing Diamond on stage. The theatrical story is told through flashback, with Mark Jacoby portraying the now old Diamond as he reflects on his past through therapy sessions.

Swenson was with Beautiful noise through a transfer to Broadway, where it opens in December 2022. His last appearance in the show will be Sunday, October 29.

Fradiani will assume that role from Tuesday, October 31.

Nick Fradiani as Neil Diamond in ‘A Beautiful Noise, The Neil Diamond Musical’.

Julieta Cervantes

It won’t be his first time playing Diamond. Fradiani was also with Beautiful noise since the world premiere of the series, as Swenson’s replacement. The show marks the Guilford, Connecticut native’s Broadway debut.

“Neil Diamond’s music was a big part of my childhood,” Fradiani, 37, said in a statement. “I grew up with my father performing his songs and even took me to see Neil at my first concert.”

“Having the opportunity to take on a role…in Beautiful noise on Broadway is truly an honor,” he continued. “I’ve seen firsthand the love, passion and excitement that audiences have brought to our theater over the past year, and I’m so happy to continue to be a part of this wonderful story. ”

‘A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical’ star Will Swenson on friendship with ‘My Dad’s Going Lud’ singer

Nick Fradiani, director Michael Mayer, Neil Diamond and Will Swenson.

Bruce Glikas/WireImage

Jacoby, himself a Tony nominee, will continue with Beautiful noise. The musical also stars Tony nominee Robyn Hurder as Marcia and Shirine Babb as the doctor.

They are joined by Jessie Fisher as Jaye Posner; Michael McCormick as Fred Weintraub, Tommy O’Rourke; Tom Alan Robbins as Bert Berns, Kieve Diamond; and Bri Sudia as Ellie Greenwich, Rose Diamond.

Ensemble, swings and interns include: Ninako Donville, Paige Faure, Kalonjee Gallimore, Samantha Gershman, Becky Gulsvig, Alex Hairston, Makai Hernandez, Jess LeProtto, Tatiana Lofton, Aaron James McKenzie, Mary Page Nance, Robert Pendilla, Max Sangerman, MiMi Scardulla and Deandre Sevon.

Beautiful noise directed by Tony winner Michael Mayer (Spring awakening, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, American idiot) and contains a book by four-time Oscar nominee Anthony McCarten (I want to dance with someone, Czech rhapsody, The theory of everything). McCarten distilled the story of the musical from hundreds of hours of conversations between him and Diamond.

Katie McNeil Diamond and Neil Diamond at the opening night of ‘A Beautiful Noise, The Neil Diamond Musical’ on Broadway in 2022.

Image Press/Shutterstock

Seeing his life back on stage was an emotional experience for Diamond himself, whose long-standing performing career has been drastically slowed by symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, a diagnosis he announced in January 2018, shortly after the end of this 50th anniversary world tour.

As it says in the show Poster: “Sitting in the theater and watching the play was therapeutic in itself; reliving some of the joyous and some of the painful parts of my life, wishing that maybe if I could just make a few changes to the script, it would change some of the reality I was seeing.”

He added: “But in the end, coming to terms with my life and accepting it has kind of come full circle. I feel lucky and grateful for all the people in my life. Each one of them has influenced me and shaped me into their way of getting me to where I am now… a better man. A better father. A better husband. A better songwriter.”

Neil Diamond Surprises Broadway Audience With Rare Performance Of ‘Sweet Caroline’ — Watch!

Diamond has sold more than 130 million albums worldwide during his five-decade career and received numerous accolades including multiple Grammys, the prestigious Kennedy Center Award, and membership in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Songwriters Hall of Fame.

Will Swenson in ‘A Beautiful Noise’. Julieta Cervantes

Back in May, Swenson told PEOPLE that he had built a friendship with Diamond and his wife, Katie McNeil, over the years.

“The fact that I kind of know him as a person, and I kept texting with him and his wife, and they invited me to their house before opening night to give me a gift for opening night. It seems absolutely crazy,” 50 said. – actor of the year.

“My dad is freaking out. He calls me three times a week to just… ‘How’s it going? Did Neil call you?’ I managed to meet my dad with Neil at the premiere, and my dad is 86 years old, and he said, ‘This was the best day of my life.’ ”

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Showing him on stage eight times a week also taught him a thing or two about life.

“I think what I learned from Neil is that it’s about the joy of performing and the process of performing,” Swenson said. “And if you go up there looking for an award or a certain criticism, you might be disappointed, but that’s not what’s important.”

“What’s important is every night in this cinema, we have 1,100 people screaming at the end of the night, after having a really good night at the cinema. That’s the lesson I’m trying to teach, and that’s all the fulfillment that matters.”

Tickets for Beautiful noise they are on sale now.

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Source: HIS Education