Idina Menzel – An Entertaining Idea

I saw my first musical, Annie, when I was four-years-old. I distinctly remember the elaborate stage, adorned with a massive Christmas tree and a winding staircase. I don’t remember the music, just the image and the sensation that I wanted to see more. Thirty years later and I’m still in awe of how profound an experience live theatre is in my life.

Artists known for their musical theatre careers are some of the ones I hold in very high regard. Their musical talent shadows so many other in mainstream music. Their voices reach the back of the house, leaving me moved to tears and utterly impressed. Despite the overwhelming power of their vocal gifts, it is the sheer spiritual experience of being in a theatre during a show that moves me. My soul transports to a dimension filled with artistry, passion, and unwavering purpose when the music swells and the vocal talent pierces the room with their abilities.

Given my passionate affinity for Broadway musicals, I made it a priority to buy a ticket to this year’s Tony Award broadcast on Sunday, June 8th. I had it all planned – watch the nomination announcements online, blog about my thoughts afterward, buy a ticket to the award ceremony, and go to NYC numerous times in May to see the nominated shows.

I got excited as I pictured how amazing it would be to sit in Radio City Music Hall and watch some of the most brilliant talents perform. “Could you imagine,” I’d say to friends, “how awesome it would be to be in that audience when Ramin Karimloo sings with the Les Miserables cast or see Idina Menzel win another Tony?” I expect the chances that both will occur to be high, but I won’t be there to see it; the tickets sold out before I even knew they were on sale. (**Yes, there may have actually been some tears.**)

I’ll still go see the shows on my “must-see” list and will likely go to Times Square and watch the award show live on the massive TV screen – surrounded by my fellow theatre aficionados. It wasn’t Plan A, but perhaps an even more exciting option is around the corner. Now I’ve got the soundtrack to Thoroughly Modern Millie playing in my mind. (Kudos if you understood that musical theatre connection.) Apropos given Sutton Foster’s nomination for VIOLET this year.

Musical theatre may not be your “thing”, but it’s certainly mine. And that’s one role I’m proud to play!

If you have not heard of the musical theatre artists I referenced above, stop reading and go download the cast albums. You’re missing out on incredible talent!!

*DISCLAIMER: No endorsement from any of the above-mentioned artists or corporate entities intended or implied. I seek to share my appreciation of the industry with fellow theatre fans or those who don’t yet know they are one.*

“The Wizard of Oz” was never one of my favorite films growing up. I enjoyed it, don’t get me wrong, but I just couldn’t connect with it on an emotional level. Many years later, the Broadway musical WICKED ended up becoming my all-time favorite show – topping even LES MISERABLES. Trust me, that is quite a feat.

I consider myself a musical know-it-all, but in actuality I’m more of a know-it-most. I’m well versed (hee hee) in shows of the past 15 years or so. Beyond that, my range is minimal. I listened mainly to the “classics”: Les Mis, Phantom of the Opera, Cats and Miss Saigon. I only saw Les Mis on stage twice, but I had the entire album memorized. To this day it is not uncommon for me to break out in song. Just say Papa and I’ll start with “Papa, Papa, I do not understand…” and sing the rest of the Epilogue. Not only does the story take you on a rollercoaster ride of emotions but the music matches in intensity. I never expected another show to affect me as much as LES MISERABLES has, yet WICKED achieved that and more!

In 2003, I heard about a new Broadway musical that starred Idina Menzel (RENT) and Kristin Chenoweth (You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown). It is a story about the witches of Oz, told from a very different perspective than popular culture is familiar with. I knew instantly that I wanted to see this show…HAD to see this show. I started reading the novel it is based on, more on that later, and was 3/4 through by the time I saw the show in the spring of 2004. I sat next to my mother in the orchestra level of the theater, the smile plastered on my face even before the lights in the house dimmed. From the first swell of the music and mesmerizing visuals, I knew this would be an adventure of a lifetime.

Every single moment of WICKED affected me on not only an artistic level but a spiritual and emotional one as well. This is not only a story about friendship and standing up for what you believe, though both play a significant role in the overall success of the piece. More importantly, in my opinion, WICKED soars due to its ability to knock down walls and expectations, especially those we define ourselves by. It’s up to us to define ourselves and the choices we make; to soar to new heights, overcome unreasonable and sometimes cruel restrictions, and defy that which holds us down.

If you have yet to see this brilliant musical, put it on your must-see list! Regardless of whether people singing on stage is not your “thing”, keep an open mind. You might just gain appreciation for not only the power of musical theater but of your own capability too.

*To learn more about the incredible novel of which the musical is based, click here to read more about Gregory Maguire or buy any, or all, of the WICKED series.*

Tag: Idina Menzel

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