Broadway's Redwood will hold two post-show talkbacks this month at the Nederlander Theatre.
Dr. Chelsea Clinton will take the stage following the May 15 performance to talk addiction and recovery. The talk will also feature New York State Office of Addiction Services and Support Commissioner Dr. Chinazo Cunningham and Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation Vice President and Chief Development Officer David Wilke, moderated by Recovery Arts Project founder Sean Daniels.
A May 17 talk will feature the musical's co-creator and star Idina Menzel joined by activist julia butterfly hill, the inspiration behind Redwood, moderated by the musical's Head of Social Impact Jan Svenson Weiss. Hill's story of living in a redwood tree for more than two years from 1997 to 1999 was Menzel's first inspiration for the work.
Both talkbacks will be available exclusively to audiences of those evening's performances.
鈥淲e know what solutions are helping reduce overdose deaths and getting more people into recovery," says Clinton in a statement. "That includes reducing stigma and making resources like lifesaving naloxone more widely available. We are grateful to partners like the Recovery Arts Project, which has committed to put naloxone in every Broadway house, and to shows like Redwood that shine a critical light on the stories of addiction and recovery.鈥�
鈥�Redwood took incredible care, commitment, and courage to bring forth something original and from the heart,鈥� adds hill. 鈥淒uring these challenging times in so many people's lives, our country, our world, and our planet, Redwood modeled so much of what we actually need more of now. We all face pain and grief, and the healing power of nature and community makes such a difference. The legacy of the seeds Redwood planted will continue to spread and grow long after the show leaves Broadway. I am honored to be part of something so meaningful, beautiful, and important, and help magnify their work and message."
The musical, which opened February 13, will play its final performance May 18, an early closing that was announced last week after the show was left empty-handed from this year's Tony Award nominations. At the time of closing, it will have played 17 previews and 127 regular performances.
Menzel co-conceived the musical with director, book writer, and co-lyricist Tina Landau. The score features music by Kate Diaz and lyrics by Diaz and Landau. A cast recording is set for a May 13 release, as previously reported.
Video: Idina Menzel's Newest Musical Redwood Has Been 15 Years in the Making
The cast also includes De'Adre Aziza as Mel, Michael Park as Finn, and Zachary Noah Piser as Spencer, and Khaila Wilcoxon as Becca. Standbys Daniel Brackett, John Hemphill, Veronica Otim, and Jessica Phillips round out the company. Casting is by The Telsey Office's Patrick Goodwin.
Menzel stars as Jesse, a woman who finds herself at a crossroads in a Northern California redwood forest after a life-altering event.
Listen to Idina Menzel Sing 'Great Escape' Live From World Premiere of Redwood Musical
The production also features scenic design by Jason Ardizzone-West, video design by Hana S. Kim, costume design by Toni-Leslie James, lighting design by Scott Zielinski, sound design by Jonathan Deans, vertical movement and choreography by Melecio Estrella of BANDALOOP, and orchestrations and arrangements by Diaz, all reprising their work from the La Jolla world premiere. New for the Broadway bow is music supervisor Tom Kitt and music director Julie McBride.
Redwood is produced on Broadway by Eva Price, Caroline Kaplan, and Loudmouth Media.
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De'Adre Aziza in Redwood
Idina Menzel and Khaila Wilcoxon in Redwood
Idina Menzel in Redwood
Idina Menzel in Redwood
Idina Menzel in Redwood
Khaila Wilcoxon and Idina Menzel in Redwood
Khaila Wilcoxon and Michael Park in Redwood
Khaila Wilcoxon in Redwood
Khaila Wilcoxon, Michael Park, Idina Menzel, Zachary Noah Piser and De'Adre Aziza in Redwood
Michael Park in Redwood
Zachary Noah Piser and Idina Menzel in Redwood
Zachary Noah Piser in Redwood
