“Sweet Caroline!” American Idol winner Nick Fradiani has stepped into the role of music legend Neil Diamond in the hit bio-musical A Beautiful Noise. Fradiani assumes the role full-time after performing as the alternate. Spectrum News NY1 entertainment journalist Frank DiLella recently caught up with Fradiani to chat about his take on the music icon, and more.

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You’re now playing Neil Diamond on Broadway eight times a week. Were you a big Neil Diamond fan prior to taking on this show?

I feel like I grew up with him. My dad is a working musician and he loved Neil, so he brought me to my first concert to see Neil Diamond in the late ’80s, early ’90s. I was 4. I knew all the music, and it’s in me. He was a big part of my childhood, so this is a full circle, to do this.

What have your interactions been like with Neil?  

He was around during rehearsals before Boston [where the musical held its world premiere]. I didn’t get to work with him firsthand, but I did get to speak with him and he wrote me a nice letter. His wife sent me a video of him wishing me luck right before I took over the role full-time. So just to know I have his support is a huge thing for me.

You’re stepping into the role full-time, taking over for Will Swenson. Did Will share any words of advice?

Watching and learning from Will was the best advice he could give me. I wrote him a letter before he left, saying my biggest thing I admired in him was his work ethic. I’m very obsessive-compulsive when it comes to my work — I want to get everything right. And from the first moment I met him, he was entrenched in this role and worked his butt off for a long time.

Music legend Bob Gaudio is also involved with your show as both producer and orchestrator. What has it been like working with Bob?

I do talk to Bob. In fact, the music director and Bob and I did a call right before I started up, and he was hands-on in rehearsals. I was freaked out when I got to meet him because he’s one of the most prolific songwriters ever! He’s incredibly hands-on.x

When you’re not working on Broadway, you write and perform your own music. What has the great Bob Gaudio taught you about producing your own music?

When I first met him, I just wanted to ask him “How did you do that? Keep producing all those great songs?” And he said, “This is what I did: I just kept working at it.” I’ve been putting records out with my band for over a decade. The more you do it, the more confident you get at it.

A lot of folks know you from winning American Idol in 2015. Did that experience change your life?

So much. My goal in life was to be a musician. Idol made music a reality. Music has been my career since 2015. It wasn’t easy — I wasn’t a Kelly Clarkson or Carrie Underwood–level winner. So I had to really adjust. Thank God I found musical theater in 2019. I did a national tour of A Bronx Tale and got obsessed with musical theater. I really love it.

You get to tap into your inner rock star with this show. You’re singing and playing the guitar throughout the musical.

It’s a blessing. I’m singing rock songs with a guitar in my hands and performing in front of a big audience. it’s the perfect show for me. We get some awesome guitars too! We’re sponsored by Gibson.

This show marks your Broadway debut. Now that you’re a part of the musical theater/Broadway club, what is your dream musical theater project?

Short and sweet: It hasn’t been written yet. One of my favorite artists is Bruce Springsteen; if they ever did a musical about him, that would be awesome.