When Idina Menzel landed the role of Maureen Johnson in “Rent” in 1995, she had no idea it would be her big break on Broadway — or that she would meet her future husband, castmate Taye Diggs. “I was a struggling wedding singer/bar mitzvah singer, and I was […]
With original cast credits that include the free-spirited Maureen in “Rent” and the misunderstood witch Elphaba in “Wicked,” Idina Menzel has helped to launch two of the biggest Broadway successes of the last 20 years. She may be preparing to launch a third, but she won’t offer much […]
When she takes various stages to present both timeless Broadway classics and modern pop hits backed by orchestras, an evening-gown-clad Idina Menzel is absent one typical accessory. The Tony award-winning singer goes shoeless, the result of kicking aside a pair of high heels moments before a Toronto performance […]
Oh, for a broomstick. Idina Menzel, the original misunderstood green witch Elphaba in the Broadway run of “Wicked,” continues to enjoy a high-flying career. It’s just that right now, she’s crawling cross-country on a tour bus that will bring her to Detroit on Wednesday for a concert at […]
Some people will always think of Idina Menzel first and foremost as the sultry performance artist in “Rent” who suckled from a giant, invisible udder and urged her audience to moo with her. Some associate Menzel more with her second giant role — the green and misunderstood “Wicked […]
MIDLAND, MI — She starred in the original stage production of “Rent,” played Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West in “Wicked,” and has a reoccurring role in the FOX TV series “Glee.” What’s next for singer, songwriter Idina Menzel? A stop at the Midland Center for the […]
She created major characters in two musicals that inspired feverish followings. She has starred in three hits, each with a single word for its title. She is charmingly candid about things many celebrities don’t discuss. She likes to perform barefoot. And she is coming to the Marcus Center. […]
Idina Menzel’s voice is just as recognizable as her face. With strong appearances on Broadway, in movies, and TV, it’s hard to find someone who doesn’t know her name. This Sunday at 7:30 p.m., Menzel will perform at the Peabody Opera House as part of her 30-city tour […]
Maybe you know her as Elphaba in the original Broadway cast of “Wicked,” perhaps you saw her as Maureen in the original Broadway cast of “Rent” (or the movie version) or possibly you caught her appearances on television’s “Glee.” Regardless of your first introduction, once you’ve heard Idina […]
Dallas — It would be difficult for Idina Menzel to top the two major Broadway experiences of her life so far: originating the role of Maureen in the groundbreaking musical Rent, and then originating Elphaba, and winning the Tony, in the mega-hit Wicked. But that won’t keep her […]
Idina Menzel grew up in New York and always loved to sing As Idina got older, she knew that music was her passion and she wanted to perform on Broadway someday. Her mom encouraged her to pursue her education first and not perform professionally as a child. “She […]
Gay men wish they could be Idina Menzel for two reasons: First, she’s got a killer voice, and acting chops to match — notable on Glee, in Rent and her Tony Award-winning role in Wicked, where she got to defy gravity. Second, she’s married to breathtaking heartthrob Taye […]
Broadway star Idina Menzel doesn’t have a long list of dream roles she hopes to play some day. “I really think that I want those roles that haven’t been written yet,” she said in a telephone interview. “I really want to originate roles. I’ve had so much success […]
News, views and reviews about the multi-talented women of the musical theatre and the concert/cabaret stage. There has never been any doubt about Idina Menzel’s vocal prowess. From the moment she stepped on to the Broadway stage as Maureen in the late Jonathan Larson’s Rent, it was clear […]
Idina Menzel is no stranger to singing the national anthem at high-profile sporting events. She just did it, in fact, at the Major League Baseball All-Star Game this past July. And this is what she learned: There’s a lot of testosterone on that field, especially when you’re standing […]