Neil Zirconia, the 'faux Diamond,' to perform at the Rosen JCC

The brand new Rosen JCC Event Center will rock Vegas-style on March 20 at 2 p.m. when Chuck LaPaglia takes the stage and sings a sparkling Neil Diamond tribute. South Florida fans have known him for the last 8 years as Neil Zirconia, "the ultimate faux diamond."

"My dream has always been to entertain people,'' said LaPaglia, 58, a former stockbroker who enjoys the 1970s music of Elton John, Billy Joel and, of course, Diamond. "I always wanted to sing."

Don't call LaPaglia an impersonator, though.

"I dress like him. I kind of look like him and sound exactly like him. I am not trying to impersonate him. I pay tribute to him,'' said LaPaglia, who wears sequined-shirts and tuxedo pants as he sings dozens of Diamond's hits, from "Sweet Caroline" to "Holly Holy," during his 90-minute show.

Between songs, LaPaglia talks about Diamond's life and the story behind the hits. "I love performing. I love getting people off their chairs,'' LaPaglia said. "I get 90-year-old ladies to come on stage with me."

The program is presented by Cornerstone, the Rosen JCC Chai Steppers, Sonata Senior Living, and Sutton Homes.

The doors open at 1 p.m. and the show begins at 2 p.m. There will be an intermission. Tickets are $18; $15 for JCC members; $10, for Chai Steppers. Reserve tickets today at rosenjcc.org/zirconia or call 407-387-5330

. Contact Jennifer Jacobson for group rate information and transportation waiting list at jenniferj@rosenjcc.org

The Rosen JCC is located at 11184 S Apopka-Vineland Rd  Orlando, FL 32836.