Idina Menzel is making waves on Broadway once again with her latest venture, Redwood, which opens on February 13, 2024, at the Nederlander Theatre. This marks her return to the Broadway scene after nearly ten years away, and her presence is felt strongly, heightening excitement among fans and newcomers alike.
Known for her powerful roles in Rent, Wicked, and Frozen, Menzel is no stranger to the stage. Yet, her involvement with Redwood runs even more deeply as she co-created this new musical alongside director Tina Landau and composer Kate Diaz. The storyline follows Jesse, the protagonist, who undergoes transformative growth following an earth-shattering event. Drawn to the majestic redwoods of Northern California, Jesse embarks on a daring ascent, embodying the themes of resilience and personal evolution.
For Menzel, encountering the redwoods held transformative power. Discussing her experience from the dressing room at the Nederlander Theatre, she recalls climbing one of the giants: "That was an extraordinary experience for me. Getting to feel a real connection to the world... It felt like being in a sanctuary. There’s a unique silence there and you feel like a pea. You feel so small but in the best way. It’s humbling and freeing." These sentiments resonate throughout Redwood, as the redwoods serve as pivotal symbols of community strength and regeneration.
"Redwoods thrive because of their root systems," Menzel explains, elaborately connecting the trees' interconnectedness to human resilience. "Even after fires, they regenerate. Their cones release seeds only when exposed to heat. It’s a beautiful symbol of how we can turn loss and hardship symptoms of strength." With this metaphor at its heart, Redwood promises to deliver not just entertainment but insightful reflections on life’s struggles and triumphs.
Menzel, alongside the innovative aerial dance troupe Bandaloop, introduces users to new heights—quite literally. She performs suspended hundreds of feet above the stage, creating exhilarating visuals as she dances against the backdrop of the portrayal of the gigantic redwood trunk named Stella. Despite her previous experience as Elphaba, where flying was part of the act, the aerial aspect of Redwood presents challenges completely outside her typical Broadway repertoire.
"I’ve never really been afraid of heights, but there’s a difference between thinking and dangling 300 feet in the air," Menzel laughs, highlighting the rigorous training involved. Learning to work safely with the climbing gear was just the beginning. After basics like safety checks and simple climbing techniques, she has to learn to swing and bounce midair, combining the elegance of dance with the thrill of aerial movements. For her, it feels like reclaiming childlike wonder: "It’s like being a kid climbing a tree again, but with more grace—and a hammock," she adds, underscoring the blend of playfulness and physicality present within the performance.
Collaboration with Bandaloop, who introduced her to aerial performances, has blossomed. Despite her initial nervousness, Menzel now feels close to these extraordinary dancers: "They made me feel safe and confident, and trust is key for what we’re doing on stage," she remarks.
Beyond the physical performances, Redwood serves as personal artistic growth. Creating the musical is Menzel’s first opportunity to co-write, stemming from her inspiration fifteen years prior from the story of climber Julia Butterfly Hill, who famously spent 738 days living atop a redwood. When the pandemic stalled progress, she rekindled her partnership with Landau and sought Diaz for the composition, desiring fresh creativity rather than adherence to Broadway norms.
"We wanted someone fresh, someone who wouldn’t follow the traditional formulas," Menzel explains, complimenting Diaz's knack for catchy melodies and cinematic scoring. This synergy was pivotal, allowing Menzel to reflect on her earlier beginnings with Jonathan Larson during Rent, expressing gratitude for the new works enabled early in her career. "It’s always been about new work for me. I’ve been incredibly lucky to have roles where the writers catered to my voice and essence. I wanted to pay it forward with this show, with a new composer," she says sincerely.
With her long history intertwined with Broadway, Menzel’s touch not only brings awareness to themes of identity and resilience but encircles the space of inspiration for future generations. With numerous young performers idolizing her for the roles they grew up with, Menzel’s message remains reassuring: "I’m incredibly touched by the fact my work resonates across generations. But I always tell people—and remind myself—to strive for authenticity. Be yourself. That’s what makes you stand out."
Menzel’s vulnerability and the bond she fosters with the audience evoke magic—a quality so difficult to summarize yet palpable through the enchanting performance energy. The palpable enthusiasm builds anticipation for Redwood, heralding her return as not just another performance but another chapter filled with significance and heartfelt messages, blending hope, community, and resilience together under the towering giants of the redwoods.