Idina Kim Menzel
(; née Mentzel
; born May 30, 1971) is a Tony Award-winning American actress, singer and songwriter. She is widely known for originating the roles of Maureen in Rent
and the green-skinned Elphaba in Wicked
.
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IDINA MENZEL TICKETS
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Biography
Early life
Idina Menzel was born on
Long Island,
New York,
[1] of
Jewish heritage.
[2] Her mother, Helene, is a therapist, and her father, Stuart Mentzel, worked as a pajama salesman.
[3] She was raised in
Syosset, New York with her younger sister Cara and later changed her last name (Mentzel) because of constant mispronunciation.
[4] When Menzel was 15 years old, her parents divorced and she started working as a wedding and
bar mitzvah singer, a job which she continued throughout her time at
New York University's
Tisch School of the Arts.
[5] She earned a
Bachelors of Fine Arts degree in Drama at NYU prior to being cast in
Jonathan Larson's
rock musical Rent
. She was friends with actor
Adam Pascal before they worked together in
Rent.
Theatre career
In 1995, Menzel auditioned for
Rent
, which became her first professional theater job and her
Broadway debut. After
Rent
opened
off-Broadway at the
New York Theatre Workshop on January 26, 1996, it was moved to Broadway's
Nederlander Theatre due to its popularity. For her performance as
Maureen Johnson in the original cast of the musical, Menzel received a
Tony nomination as
Best Featured Actress in a Musical. She completed her last performance on July 1, 1997.
Following the success of
Rent
, Menzel released her first solo album entitled "Still I Can't Be Still" on "HollyWood Records", Menzel also originated the role of Dorothy in
Summer of ’42
at
Goodspeed Opera House in
Connecticut, starred as Sheila in the
New York City Center Encores! production of
Hair
and appeared on Broadway as Amneris in
Aida
. Menzel earned a
Drama Desk Award nomination for her performance as Kate in the Manhattan Theatre Club's 2000
off-Broadway production of
Andrew Lippa's
The Wild Party
. Her other
off-Broadway credits include the pre-Broadway run of
Rent
and
The Vagina Monologues
.
[6]
In 2003, Menzel starred alongside fellow actress and singer
Kristin Chenoweth on Broadway in
Wicked
, a musical by
Stephen Schwartz and
Winnie Holzman loosely based upon the popular 1995
Gregory Maguire novel. Menzel received the 2004
Tony Award for Best Leading Actress in a Musical for her portrayal of
Elphaba, the
Wicked Witch of the West. On her third to last performance of
Wicked
on January 8, 2005, she fell through a trap door and cracked a lower rib. The injury prevented her from performing in the January 9 show. Menzel did, however, make a special out-of-costume appearance at that performance, performed her final song, and received a 5 minute long
standing ovation.
[7] Menzel was replaced by Elphaba standby
Shoshana Bean.
Following
Wicked
, Menzel appeared
off-Broadway in the
Public Theater's production of
See What I Wanna See
, a
Michael John LaChiusa-penned musical whose run ended in December 2005. For her role as various characters, she received
Drama Desk Award and
Drama League Award nominations. She reprised her Tony Award-winning role as
Elphaba in the
West End production of
Wicked
when it opened at London's
Apollo Victoria Theater on September 7, 2006.
[8] Menzel finished her run on December 30, 2006. Menzel was then succeeded by
Elphaba standby
Kerry Ellis.
Menzel played the role of Florence in the 21st Anniversary concert of
Chess
at the
Royal Albert Hall,
London from May 12-13, 2008 alongside
Kerry Ellis,
Adam Pascal and
Josh Groban.
In 2008, Menzel headlined the Powerhouse Theatre's reading of Steven Sater and Duncan Sheik's musical
Nero from July 11-13, performing the role of Nero’s mistress Poppea.
[9]
In 2009, Menzel is set to star in a new musical adaptation of novel and film
The Neverending Story with music and lyrics by Matheson Bayley.
Film and singing career
Menzel's film roles include appearances in
Just a Kiss
,
Kissing Jessica Stein
,
Tollbooth
,
Water
,
Ask the Dust
,
Enchanted
, and
Rent
, in which she and five other original cast members reprised their stage roles.
Menzel performed at the 1998
Lilith Fair summer concert festival and continues to write and perform original music. She has toured extensively and frequently performs in various venues throughout
New York City. She produced and released her debut album,
Still I Can’t Be Still
, for
Hollywood Records in 1998. One single from the album, "Minuet," made the
Radio & Records CHR/Pop Tracks chart at #48 in October 1998.
[10]
Her second album,
Here
, was released independently by Zel Records in 2004. Menzel has contributed to soundtracks, including those for the film
The Other Sister
and the
ABC television dramedy
Desperate Housewives
. In 2007, she appeared on the
Beowulf soundtrack singing the end credits song, "A Hero Comes Home".
Singer
Ray Charles invited Menzel to duet with him on one of the tracks of his album
Genius & Friends
. The tracks were recorded in 1998 but were never produced, and it was one of his dying wishes that the album be made , a wish which was fulfilled posthumously.
Her third solo album,
I Stand
, was released on January 29, 2008. It includes many new tracks such as the lead single, "Brave" as well as the title track "I Stand" and a song released on EP, "Gorgeous". The album debuted at #58 in the Billboard 200 making it the first solo album by Menzel to make the charts. There are five versions of this album, the original version, the special limited edition, the iTunes version, the Barnes & Noble edition, and the Borders edition.
On April 1, 2008, Menzel kicked off her "I Stand" tour in support of her new album.
On November 11, 2008, Menzel released a new single in conjunction with
Major League Baseball. The single is entitled "Hope" and all proceeds go to Stand Up 2 Cancer.
On November 27, 2008, Menzel performed "I Stand" on the
M&M Candies float as part of the
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
[11] [12]
Personal life
Menzel married actor
Taye Diggs, her co-star from the original Broadway production of
Rent
, on January 11, 2003
[13] after 7 years of dating. They have a Yorkshire Terrier named Sammy Davis Jr. Jr.
[14] and two cats named Ella and Coltrane, whom they call their "Jazz Cats" because they were named after famous jazz performers. On December 6, 2004, it was reported by the
New York Post
that Menzel and Diggs were threatened with harm in a series of letters because of their interracial marriage.
[15] In March 2009 the couple announced that they are expecting their first child together.
[16] [17] In April 2009, the couple announced that they are expecting a boy. Their son, Walker Nathaniel Diggs, was born on September 2nd 2009.
[18]
Charity
Menzel was an Honorary Chair of the
Imperial Court of New York's Annual Charity Coronation Ball, Night of A Thousand Gowns on March 21, 2009. Other Honorary Chairs for the evening's charity event included
Sir Elton John CBE,
Patti LuPone,
John Cameron Mitchell,
Joan Rivers and
Dame Robin Strasser.
[19]
Work
Theatre
Start year
| Production
| Role
| Notes and awards
|
1996
| Rent
| Maureen Johnson
|
- Original Broadway Cast
- Performances:
- * New York Theatre Workshop (January 26, 1996 - March 31, 1996)
- * Nederlander Theatre (April 29, 1996 - July 1, 1997)
- Nominated - 1996 Tony Award for Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical
|
2000
| The Wild Party
| Kate
|
- Performances: Manhattan Theatre Club Stage I (February 24, 2000 - April 9, 2000)
- Nominated - 2000 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical
|
Summer of '42
| Dorothy
|
- Performances: The Norma Terris Theatre (August 10, 2000 - September 3, 2000)
|
2001
| Hair
| Sheila
|
- Performances: New York City Center - (May 3, 2001 - May 7, 2001)
|
Aida
| Amneris
|
- Replacement Broadway Cast
- Performances: Palace Theatre (September 13, 2001 - January 27, 2002)
|
2002
| The Vagina Monologues
| Performer
|
- Performances: Westside Theatre (Downstairs) (March 5, 2002 - April 14, 2002)
|
Funny Girl
(concert)
| Fanny Brice
|
- Performances: New Amsterdam Theatre (September 23, 2002)
- Performed "Cornet Man"
|
2003
| Wicked
| Elphaba
|
- Original Broadway cast
- Performances: George Gershwin Theatre (October 30, 2003 - January 8, 2005)
- Won
- Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical
- Won
- Broadway.com Audience Award for Best Lead Actress in a Musical
- Won
- Broadway.com Audience Award for Best Diva Performance
- Won
- Broadway.com Audience Award for Best Onstage Pair (with Kristin Chenoweth
)
- Nominated - Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actress in a Musical
- Nominated - Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Lead Actress in a Musical
- Nominated - Drama League Award for Distinguished Performance
|
2005
| See What I Wanna See
| Kesa / The Wife (Lily) / The Actress (Deanna)
|
- Performances: The Public Theater (October 30, 2005 - December 4, 2005)
- Nominated - Drama Desk Award for Best Lead Actress in a Musical
- Nominated - Drama League Award for Distinguished Performance
|
2006
| Wicked
(London)
| Elphaba
|
- Original London West End cast
- Performances: Apollo Victoria Theatre (September 7, 2006 - December 30, 2006)
- Won
- WhatsOnStage.com Theatregoers Choice Award for Best Actress in a Musical
|
2008
| Chess in Concert
(concert)
| Florence Vassy
|
- Performances: Royal Albert Hall (May 12, 2008 - May 13, 2008)
|
Nero
| Poppea
|
- Performances: Powerhouse Theatre (July 11, 2008 - July 13, 2008)
|
Filmography
Year
| Film
| Role
| Notes and awards
|
2001
| Kissing Jessica Stein
| Bridesmaid
|
|
2002
| Just a Kiss
| Linda
|
|
2004
| The Tollbooth
| Raquel Cohen-Flaxman
|
|
Water
| Jessy Turner
|
|
2005
| Rent
| Maureen Johnson
| Nominated - 2005 Northeastern Critics Award for Best Supporting Actress Nominated - 2005 Northeastern Critics Award for Best Ensemble Nominated - 2005 Broadcast Film Critics Award for Best Ensemble Nominated - 2005 Washington Film Critics Award for Best Ensemble
|
2006
| Ask the Dust
| Vera Rivkin
|
|
2007
| ShowBusiness: The Road to Broadway
| as Herself
| Recorded her own rendition of "Lullaby of Broadway" for the end credits
|
Enchanted
| Nancy Tremaine
|
Television
Year
| TV series
| Role
| Notes
|
1998
| Hercules: The Animated Series
| Circe
| Episode ("Hercules and the Song of Circe")
|
2004
| Rescue Me
| Carol
| Episode ("Sanctuary")
|
2005
| Kevin Hill
| Francine Prescott
| Episodes ("Losing Isn't Everything", "Sacrificial Lambs")
|
2009
| Soundstage (TV program)
| Singer/Songwriter
| Episodes ("PBS Soundstage premiere January 15, 2009") [20]
|
Private Practice
| Lisa King
| Episodes ("Do the Right Thing", "What You Do For Love")
|
Chess in Concert
| Florence Vassy
| Episode ("PBS Great Performances premiere June 17, 2009") [21]
Released on region-free DVD (Reprise 2-517636)
|
Discography
Studio albums
Year
| Album
| U.S.
| UK
| Worldwide sales
|
1998
| Still I Can't Be Still
| —
| —
| 9,000
|
2004
| Here
| —
| —
| 12,250
|
2008
| I Stand
| 58
| 54
| 42,000
|
Singles
Year
| Title
| U.S. AC
| U.S. Dance
| R&R
| Album
|
1998
| "Minuet"
| —
| —
| 48
| Still I Can't Be Still
|
2006
| "Take Me or Leave Me"
| —
| 32
| —
| Rent soundtrack
|
2007
| "Defying Gravity"
| —
| 5
| —
| non-album single
|
2008
| "Brave"
| 19
| —
| —
| I Stand
|
"Gorgeous"
| —
| 3
| —
|
"Hope"
| —
| —
| —
| non-album single
|
Cast recordings
Year
| Title
| Label
|
1996
| Rent (Original Broadway Cast Recording)
| DreamWorks Records
|
2000
| The Wild Party (Lippa) (Off-Broadway)
| RCA Victor Broadway
|
2003
| Wicked (Original Broadway Cast Recording)
| Decca Records
|
2005
| Rent (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
| Warner Bros. Records
|
2006
| See What I Wanna See (2005 Original Off-Broadway Cast)
| Sh-K-Boom Records
|
2009
| Chess in Concert (Live Recording of 2008 Royal Albert Hall Performance)
| Reprise Records
|
2009
| Highlights from Chess in Concert (Live Recording of 2008 Royal Albert Hall Performance)
| Reprise Records
|
Miscellaneous
Year
| Song
| Album
| Label
|
1998
| "Follow If You Lead"
| The Other Sister (Music From The Motion Picture)
| Hollywood Records
|
2003
| "How Shall I See You Through My Tears", "The Want of a Nail" (Backing vocals)
| Camp (Music from the Motion Picture)
| Decca Records
|
"I Saw Three Ships"
| Broadway's Greatest Gifts: Carols for a Cure, Vol. 5
| Rock-It Science Records
|
2005
| "Damsel In Distress"
| Music from and Inspired by Desperate Housewives
| Hollywood Records
|
"I Will Be There"
| Genius & Friends
| Rhino Records
|
2007
| "A Hero Comes Home" (End Credit Version)
| Beowulf (Music from the Motion Picture)
| Warner Bros. Records
|
2008
| "What If" (duet with Rhydian)
| Rhydian
| Syco Records
|
2008
| "Brave"
|
References
- RENT CONTROL. One part original, one part newcomer
- Trained to Be Wild - New York Times
- Something Wicked This Way Comes
- Gig was weddings before Rent called; Menzel's big voice 'discovered' at age 5 Witch role in Wicked made her a star
- Idina Menzel: from Broadway belter to pop star
- Idina Menzel's Official Website
- Ding Dong, a Witch Is Hurt, but She Takes Her Final Bow
- Idina Menzel
- Idina Menzel highlights casting for Nero
- Idina Menzel - Still I Can't Be Still
- Tony Winner Menzel to Perform During Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
- Macy's Parade Features White Christmas, In the Heights, South Pacific, Hair and Mermaid
- Hitched: Idina Menzel and Taye Diggs
- Idina Menzel
- Witch Hunt
- Taye Diggs and Idina Menzel Expecting First Child
- Taye Diggs and Idina Menzel Are Expecting
- http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20302273,00.html
- 23rd Annual Night of A Thousand Gowns
- http://www.pbs.org/wttw/soundstage/imenzel/bio.html
- Preview of Chess in Concert