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Biography
Born into a Jewish family, when her parents divorced at 15 Idina began performing at bar mitzvah’s and weddings as a singer before enrolling at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts where she studied performing arts.
In 1995, Menzel scored her first professional job as she joined the cast of the Broadway musical “Rent” as Maureen Johnson, a role which earned her a Tony nomination for Best Featured Actress in a Musical. Ending her successful run in 1997, Menzel released her debut solo album “Still I Can’t Be Still” through Hollywood Records in 1998.
Over the next couple of years, Menzel played small roles in theatre productions “Hair”, “The Wild Party” and “The Vagina Monologues” before landing the prolific role of Elphaba in the award winning musical “Wicked” in 2003. It was this role that really showcased Menzel’s incredible talent and powerful mezzo-soprano vocals and in her two year stint, she received the Tony award for Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical.
In 2004 Menzel released her second album “Here” before returning back to her role in “Rent” for the film adaptation the following year. Releasing her third album “I Stand” in 2008 allowed Menzel to take time out to support the release as she spent most of the year and 2009 touring the album, playing sold out shows across the country with Josh Groban and saxophonist Ravi Coltrone joining her on stage at The Lincoln Centre in New York City.
During 2010 Menzel embarked on the “Barefoot at the Symphony Tour” which allowed her to perform with symphony orchestras taking the tour nationwide and branching out to England and Australia. Later that year she had the opportunity to perform at the White House for President Obama and his wife singing the songs “Defying Gravity” and “What I Did for Love”.
It was her role as Elsa in the Disney’s chart-topping “Frozen” in 2013 and its enchanting lead single “Let It Go” which captivated audiences across the globe. The track won an Academy Award for Best Original Song at the 2014 Oscar’s where Menzel also performed it live. Later that year she released her fourth album “Holiday Wishes” which peaked at number six in the US Billboard Charts.
With a voice which captured the essence of Disney in modernity and a heart of gold, Menzel continues spreading joy to the masses both through her music and philanthropy work.
Live reviews
What can you say about a jewish New York girl who became an artist. She is a New York girl, born and raised in Queens. She started her career working as a wedding singer and bar mitzvah singer . Her education followed in New York. She went on to be cast in her first show as Maureen in the Broadway show Rent. She followed that by her wickedly performance as Elphaba in Wicked. Currently, she is starring in the Broadway show If/Then. She plays the part of Elizabeth Vaughan. The show spoke of the possibilities that can come from choosing a path to follow. She sang the hit song, "You Learn To Live Without". Personally, I was given the opportunity of hearing her sing in this performance. Her voice filled the Richard Rodgers Theatre. When the spotlight shined on her, I felt like she was personally singing to me. After the show, I waited outside the stage door for her appearance. When she finally exited the door, I screamed with delight. She took the time to sign my playbill.
The songs she has sung are a part of my daily life. I love to sing songs she has performed while in the shower, car, home, and at karaoke night at a local restaurant. Her performance in the television show Glee brought her talents to the public. Her recent performance in the movie, Frozen was heard by so many young girls as well as older girls. She voiced the character Queen Elsa, a character that sang 'Let it Go' - a favorite song of mine and a huge hit! I enjoyed hearing her singing the Star Spangled Banner at the 85th. Annual MLB All- Star Game. On my IPhone, I have listened to her performance at Radio City Music Hall. I hope she will appear in the next installment of the movie Enchanted. Perhaps, she will get to sing in this movie, too! Whatever she does in the future, Idena Menzel will always shine like the spotlight that shone on her in If/ Then.
esther-cherny-braun
Whilst her name may not ring any bells for many people, to the musical-loving world she is a Goddess. With leading roles in a number of hit Broadway musicals, Idina Menzel has cemented her place in musical theatre history and rightly so.
Playing Elphaba in Wicked is no simple task and Idina Menzel was the first to fill the shoes of the Wicked Witch of the West when the musical opened on Broadway in 2003. It was her performance in this role that won her the prestigious Tony Award for Best Leading Actress in a Musical.
As a UK fan of Idina Menzel, one lives in hope of an announcement of a UK show. So when it was announced that she would be playing one night at the Royal Albert Hall back in October 2011, I knew that it was an opportunity that I could not miss. The most special moments of the night came when Idina sang those songs that she is most famous for. "Defying Gravity" and "For Good" were simply stunning. Carving a career as a singer/songwriter over the years since leaving Wicked, the original material that Idina performed on the night was just as beautiful.
She truly is musical theatre royalty and I encourage anyone to witness Idina Menzel's talent live to fully appreciate the gift that she has blessed Broadway with over recent years. One can only hope that she will slap on the green paint and reprise the role that made her the powerhouse she is today, the Wicked Witch of the West.
lhulbert1
American singer and actress Idina Menzel was a lesser known pop star having spent a large amount of her time in theatre productions. Her albums were not considered to be particularly commercial successful however after the phenomena of Frozen she has become far more well known across the globe as the voice of heroin Elsa and her synonymous female empowerment anthem 'Let It Go'.
There is no doubt about it that Menzel is very much a theatre performer, and she uses a lot of her training when conducting her live show. There is great annunciation and you get the impression that the microphone is of slight redundancy as Idina could clearly captivate the whole room with her powerful vocal unaided. There is real passion when she performs some of her older, heartfelt tracks including 'So Beautiful'. She also performs a selection of covers from some of her favourite artists including Joni Mitchell and Radiohead which go over well with the audience especially as Idina explains her choices between the tracks. The largest singalong is of course for 'Let It Go' as this feel good anthem cannot be sang at anything other than full volume.
sean-ward
Idina Menzel was great to see live! Not only did she do the songs that she's famous for, she also did several classic covers and originals. Her interaction with fans is very good and entertaining. I saw her in Japan where the majority of the people who went to see her didn't understand English, but that didn't stop her from talking and interacting with us. She even came down into the audience and let a few lucky fans sing! One of my favorite moments was when she sang a capella sans mic. I was in the 16th row, so it was a bit easier for me to hear, but even the people who were in the bleachers were able to hear her powerful voice. I laughed, I cried, and I sang along to the songs that I knew. She is an incredible performer and if she ever comes back to Japan, I will definitely be seeing her again!
becky-wassel
Amazing. Even with a voice at less than 100% due to laryngitis this woman can sing notes only dogs can hear.
Great exposure for the latest album "idina". Some strong songs and very sad overtones. The Rent songs were so emotional. She made reference to this being her 2nd Manchester visit and how strong she felt the city was. Rightly so.
We wanted the hits and we got them. Dear Prudence mashed up with Do You Want To Build A Snowman was pure genius.
The Let It Go section with the kids could have been vomit inducing but was Idina at her most simple and bare.
Talking of bare. For Good - acappella, no microphone..... just Idina. Chills and very emotional. A fantastic set From an amazing artist
mark-sandland
It is so refreshing not only to hear a woman with a phenomenal voice, elegant stage presence but with a personality and big heart to match. Idina is the most humbling performers I have ever seen. Many times a minimum amount of children are invited up on the stage to sing along or to be a part of the show. Idina went above and beyond by extending the invitation to all the children come to the stage and sit next to her to sing "Let it Go", giving every child a chance to be under the spot light. Such an beautiful memory for a child to keep, singing with Elsa!
stacey-dee-3
She's perfect and the greatest singer of all time! And so cute and so funny! And she's perfect! She sang 2 songs from Frozen, 2 songs from Rent, 3 songs from Wicked AND a bunch of her original songs including cake! And she almost sang Smile and I almost lost my shit! SHE'S PERFECT!!!
kelly-kelley-1
