What would you give to sing a Rent duet with Idina Menzel herself? One audience member donated $10,000 to Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS for the honor at a recent performance of Redwood, according to (where the ad-hoc performance was posted in full).
Menzel sang "Take Me Or Leave Me" with the two fans, a song she performed when she originated the role of Maureen in Rent on Broadway鈥攁t the Nederlander Theatre, where she is currently performing in Redwood.
From March 14鈥揂pril 27, shows on Broadway, Off-Broadway, and on tour are all fundraising for Broadway Cares, as part of the organization's annual spring fundraising campaign. Audience members have been encouraged to donate to the red buckets that are in the lobby, and the artists involved have been auctioning off exclusive prizes at curtain call鈥攕uch as autographed posters and props. The $10,000 to sing with Menzel wasn't even the most notable prize recently for the show. On April 3, Menzel reunited with her Wicked costar Kristin Chenoweth to perform "For Good" from that musical (the two originated the roles of Elphaba and Glinda) after two audience members donated $8,000 each to Broadway Cares.
Last spring, 45 Broadway, Off-Broadway and national tours raised $4.7 million. The proceeds go to helping fund lifesaving medications, health care, meals, counseling, and emergency financial assistance for anyone with HIV/AIDS and other critical illnesses across the United States.
Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel
Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel
Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel
Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel
Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel
Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel
Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel
Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel
Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel
Khaila Wilcoxon, Michael Park, Kristin Chenoweth, Idina Menzel, Zachary Noah Piser, and De'Adre Aziza
Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel
Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel
Menzel is currently starring in Redwood, which she co-conceived with director, book writer, and co-lyricist Tina Landau. The score features music by Diaz and lyrics by Diaz and Landau. The musical is currently set to continue through August 17 at the Nederlander. A cast recording is set for a May 13 release, as previously reported.
Menzel plays Jesse, a woman who finds herself at a crossroads in a Northern California redwood forest after a life-altering event鈥攔ecently extended her run in the new musical, which is now set to perform through August 17 at the Nederlander Theatre, the former home of Rent, which marked Menzel's Broadway debut. Menzel is reprising her performance from the work's world premiere at La Jolla Playhouse last year.
Video: Idina Menzel's Newest Musical Redwood Has Been 15 Years in the Making
And, Menzel isn't the only one back from that earlier staging. Also reprising their performances are De'Adre Aziza as Mel, Michael Park as Finn, and Zachary Noah Piser as Spencer, newly joined by Khaila Wilcoxon as Becca. Standbys Daniel Brackett, John Hemphill, Veronica Otim, and Jessica Phillipsround out the company. Casting is by The Telsey Office's Patrick Goodwin.
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 are 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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