Idina Menzel, cherished for her powerful performances on Broadway, makes her triumphant return to the stage with Redwood, her new musical which explores themes of grief, nature, and personal discovery. Set against the backdrop of California's towering redwood trees, the show tells the poignant story of Jesse, portrayed by Menzel, who embarks on an emotional road trip following the tragic loss of her son.
Conceived by Menzel and directed by Tina Landau, Redwood is centered on Jesse’s transformative experience as she leaves behind her wife, Mel, played by De’Adre Aziza, and her art gallery in New York City. Jesse's quest for solace among nature echoes the real-life saga of protestor Julia Butterfly Hill, who famously lived atop a redwood tree for 738 days to protect it from logging, inspiring Jesse's heartfelt mission. Menzel expressed her admiration for Hill's bravery, stating, "I was just so inspired by her fortitude and conviction and bravery. And I thought, 'How could I do something like this?'" (Reported by The View).
Opening to audiences at the Nederlander Theatre in February 2025, Redwood combines Menzel’s commanding vocal talents with breathtaking visuals and immersive soundscapes crafted by acclaimed sound designer Jonathan Deans. Employing Meyer Sound’s advanced technologies, Deans artfully transports viewers to Menzel’s internal world, lushly enveloping them within the sonic embrace of the forest. He remarked, "It’s taken what would be called immersive now and taking it up several notches," highlighting how the production integrates surrounding soundscapes to create deep emotional resonance throughout the performance.
The unique choreography, led by the vertical dance troupe BANDALOOP, adds to the theatrical spectacle as Menzel climbs the multi-layered set pieces—a creative choice reflecting the show’s thematic ascent from sorrow to clarity. On The View, Menzel shared, "Preparation was hard work but also exhilarating. Our choreographers are a vertical dance troupe called BANDALOOP [who] dance on the side of mountains, trees, buildings"—indicating her commitment to physically embodying the character’s exploration.
Despite these impressive elements, the musical has not escaped criticism. Some reviewers point to weaknesses within Landau's script, which features haphazard flashbacks and repetitive dramatic structures. The narrative arc presents few developments; Jesse's interactions with Becca and Finn largely circle around the same dilemmas without meaningful progression. This leaves some questioning the depth of character development, particularly for supporting characters like Becca, portrayed by Khaila Wilcoxon, who at times appear more as narrative devices than fully fleshed-out individuals.
For those familiar with Menzel's iconic roles as Elphaba in Wicked and Elsa in Frozen, the vocal showcases within Redwood echo her previous triumphs yet struggle to resonate as cohesively. This inconsistency seems compounded by the writing contributions from Kate Diaz, who composed the music and lyrics alongside Landau. Although some songs shine with vocal brilliance, others falter, leaving the overall musicality uneven. The sound designer noted, "The sound is so neutral, you’re not necessarily aware of the system itself because it belongs to the music and the production," yet some performances lacked the complexity expected from Broadway standards.
Even with its critiques, Redwood opens up conversations about grief, resilience, and the human connection to nature, framed within the beautiful, haunting melodies Menzel brings to life. Her ability to convey powerful emotions through song remains one of the strongest highlights of the musical, making it accessible to both new audiences and devoted fans.
While it may not capture the heights of Broadway's best-loved musicals, Redwood demonstrates Menzel’s enduring talent and ambition, signaling her potential for artistry well beyond the stage. Although it may not hit every note, Redwood invites audiences to contemplate paths of healing against the majestic backdrop of towering trees—an experience both invigorated and tethered to the timeless themes of love and loss.
Redwood is currently playing at the Nederlander Theatre, giving audiences the chance to witness this ambitious new work, balancing on the cusp of innovation and tradition.