8News speaks with star of Neil Diamond musical ‘A Beautiful Noise’

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- As "A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical" plays at the Altria Theater this week, 8News got the chance to talk with Broadway star Nick Fradiani about his title role.

Anchors Autumn Childress and Delaney Hall spoke with Fradiani about how his American Idol win back in 2015 eventually prompted him to explore the world of theater.

"I don't even know anymore..." Fradiani said as he and the hosts laughed. "It was 2019, I was in a musical called A Bronx Tale... I booked that, really fell in love with theater, got an agent in that world and then booked this after the pandemic -- and I've been a part of this show now since, really the beginning, on Broadway, so it's been an amazing experience."

In the musical, Fradiani plays Neil Diamond "then" as the story showcases the singer's life through flashbacks while Neil Diamond "now" sees a therapist in the present day.

When asked about his preparation for the role, Fradiani provided some insight on how he channeled his inner Diamond.

"I obsessed over his music once I got the role, and really wanted to get the singing voice as close to it as I could without it being a like a corny tribute act," Fradiani said. "I wanted it to be authentic, and so I spent a lot of time and listened to a billion of his interviews, to get his talking voice and then looking at his mannerisms, so, it was really fun for me to do that."

The Broadway show, created in partnership with Neil Diamond himself, started playing at the Altria Theater on Monday, April 15 and will run until Sunday, April 20. Tickets are still available, and can be purchased at the Altria Theater's website.