ASU alum returns to Tempe for 'A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical'
Nick Fradiani (center) as "Neil - Then" and "The Noise" in "A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical." Photo by Jeremy Daniel
When Richard Leigh began his career in the theater industry, he originally wanted to become a performer. But after studying at Arizona State University and receiving a Master of Music in music theatre performance, he discovered his love for direction and coaching.
Today, Leigh is on the road with the touring cast and crew of "A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical," working as the production stage manager. In his role, he oversees the entire production and ensures that the show stays consistent throughout all of its performances.
“You’re helping to make sure that the original vision (of the director) is being met,” Leigh said.
Leigh’s role as production stage manager also gives him the opportunity to experience the show from a different perspective than a performer would, allowing him to see the show’s impact on crowds across the nation firsthand.
“It's amazing now to not only do the shows there ... but part of my job is to go out and watch the show from the audience and 'note the show' ... to see all the people ... whose lives we're affecting,” Leigh said.
Leigh described the experience of joining the crew of "A Beautiful Noise" in July 2025 as “wonderful.” Since he was joining in the show’s second year, Leigh had to jump in and learn quickly in order to best support the cast and crew.
“It's a lot of collaboration with those around you who do know the show better, but also trusting your gut and trying to lead in the way that you know and you think is best for the group to be successful,” Leigh said.
Growing up, ASU Gammage was one of the theaters where Leigh often saw performances of Broadway national tours. He said his upcoming return to the desert is a "wonderful flood of emotions.”
"We're in the biggest, most beautiful theatrical venues in the country and this is my life now,” Leigh said. “And I get to play theater in the best places possible.”
Though Leigh joined the touring company with little knowledge of Neil Diamond’s music or story, he described the show as “a lot more than (he) ever expected.”
“It's so much more than just a concert,” Leigh said. “There's a lot of things that you can connect with as just another human being, through (Diamond's) story and through what the other characters are going through.”
"A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical" plays at ASU Gammage from Jan. 27 to Feb. 1.
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