Idina Menzel
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 |
This biographical article needs additional citations for verification. Please help by adding reliable sources. Contentious material about living persons that is unsourced or poorly sourced must be removed immediately, especially if potentially libelous or harmful. (November 2008) (Find sources: Idina Menzel – news, books, scholar) |
| Idina Menzel | |
|---|---|
 Singer Idina Menzel
|
|
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Idina Kim Mentzel |
| Born | May 30, 1971 Long Island, New York |
| Genre(s) | Pop / Vocal / Broadway |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, Actress, Songwriter |
| Voice type(s) | Mezzo-soprano |
| Years active | 1995-present |
| Label(s) | Hollywood Records 1998-1999 Warner Bros. Records 2008-present |
| Website | idinamenzel.com |
Idina Kim Menzel (pronounced /ɨˈdiːnə ˈmɛnzəl/; née Mentzel; born May 30, 1971) is a Tony Award-winning American actress, singer and songwriter. She is widely known for originating the roles of Maureen in Rent and Elphaba in Wicked.
Contents |
[edit] Biography
[edit] Early life
Idina Menzel was born on Long Island, New York,[1] of Jewish heritage.[2] Her mother, Helene, is a therapist, and her father, Stuart Mentzel, worked as a pajama salesman.[3] She was raised in Syosset, New York with her younger sister Cara and later changed her last name (Mentzel) because of constant mispronunciation.[4] When Menzel was 15 years old, her parents divorced and she started working as a wedding and bar mitzvah singer, a job which she continued throughout her time at New York University's Tisch School of the Arts.[5] She earned a Bachelors of Fine Arts degree in Drama at NYU prior to being cast in Jonathan Larson's rock musical Rent. She was friends with actor Adam Pascal before they worked together in Rent.[3]
[edit] Theatre career
In 1995, Menzel auditioned for Rent, which became her first professional theater job and her Broadway debut. After Rent opened off-Broadway at the New York Theatre Workshop on January 26, 1996, it was moved to Broadway's Nederlander Theatre due to its popularity. For her performance as Maureen Johnson in the original cast of the musical, Menzel received a Tony nomination as Best Featured Actress in a Musical. She completed her last performance on July 1, 1997.
Following the success of Rent, Idina released her first solo album entitled "Still I Can't Be Still" on "HollyWood Records", Idina also originated the role of Dorothy in Summer of ’42 at Goodspeed Opera House in Connecticut, starred as Sheila in the New York City Center Encores! production of Hair and appeared on Broadway as Amneris in Aida. Menzel earned a Drama Desk Award nomination for her performance as Kate in the Manhattan Theatre Club's 2000 off-Broadway production of Andrew Lippa's The Wild Party. Her other off-Broadway credits include the pre-Broadway run of Rent and The Vagina Monologues.[6]
In 2003, Menzel starred alongside fellow actress and singer Kristin Chenoweth on Broadway in Wicked, a musical by Stephen Schwartz and Winnie Holzman loosely based upon the popular 1995 Gregory Maguire novel. Idina received the 2004 Tony Award for Best Leading Actress in a Musical for her portrayal of Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West. On her third to last performance of Wicked on January 8, 2005, she fell through a trap door and cracked a lower rib. The injury prevented her from performing in the January 9 show. Menzel did, however, make a special out-of-costume appearance at that performance, performed her final song, and received a 5 minute long standing ovation.[7] Menzel was replaced by Elphaba standby Shoshana Bean.
Following Wicked, Menzel appeared off-Broadway in the Public Theater's production of See What I Wanna See, a Michael John LaChiusa-penned musical whose run ended in December 2005. For her role as various characters, she received Drama Desk Award and Drama League Award nominations. She reprised her Tony Award-winning role as Elphaba in the West End production of Wicked when it opened at London's Apollo Victoria Theater on September 7, 2006.[8] Menzel finished her run on December 30, 2006. Menzel was then succeeded by Elphaba standby Kerry Ellis.
Menzel played the role of Florence in the 21st Anniversary concert of Chess at the Royal Albert Hall, London from May 12-13, 2008 alongside Kerry Ellis, Adam Pascal and Josh Groban.
In 2008, Menzel headlined the Powerhouse Theatre's reading of Steven Sater and Duncan Sheik's musical Nero from July 11-13, performing the role of Nero’s mistress Poppea. [9]
In 2009, Menzel is set to star in a new musical adaptation of novel and film The Neverending Story with music and lyrics by Matheson Bayley.
[edit] Film and singing career
Menzel's film roles include appearances in Just a Kiss, Kissing Jessica Stein, Tollbooth, Water, Ask the Dust, Enchanted, and Rent, in which she and five other original cast members reprised their stage roles.
Menzel performed at the 1998 Lilith Fair summer concert festival and continues to write and perform original music. She has toured extensively and frequently performs in various venues throughout New York City. She produced and released her debut album, Still I Can’t Be Still, for Hollywood Records in 1998. One single from the album, "Minuet," made the Radio & Records CHR/Pop Tracks chart at #48 in October 1998.[10]
Her second album, Here, was released independently by Zel Records in 2004. Menzel has contributed to soundtracks, including those for the film The Other Sister and the ABC television dramedy Desperate Housewives. In 2007, she appeared on the Beowulf soundtrack singing the end credits song, "A Hero Comes Home".
Singer Ray Charles invited Menzel to duet with him on one of the tracks of his album Genius & Friends. The tracks were recorded in 1998 but were never produced, and it was one of his dying wishes that the album be made[citation needed], a wish which was fulfilled posthumously.
Her third solo album, I Stand, was released on January 29, 2008. It includes many new tracks such as the lead single, "Brave" as well as the title track "I Stand" and a song released on EP, "Gorgeous". The album debuted at #58 in the Billboard 200 making it the first solo album by Menzel to make the charts. There are five versions of this album, the original version, the special limited edition, the iTunes version, the Barnes & Noble edition, and the Borders edition.
On April 1, 2008, Menzel kicked off her "I Stand" tour in support of her new album.
On November 11, 2008, Menzel released a new single in conjunction with Major League Baseball. The single is entitled "Hope" and all proceeds go to Stand Up 2 Cancer.
On November 27, 2008, Menzel performed "I Stand" on the M&M Candies float as part of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.[11][12]
[edit] Personal life
Menzel married actor Taye Diggs, her co-star from the original Broadway production of Rent, on January 11, 2003[13] after 7 years of dating. They have a Yorkshire Terrier named Sammy Davis Jr. Jr. [14] and two cats named Ella and Coltrane, whom they call their "Jazz Cats" because they were named after famous jazz performers. On December 6, 2004, it was reported by the New York Post that Menzel and Diggs were threatened with harm in a series of letters because of their interracial marriage.[15] In March 2009 the couple announced that they are expecting their first child together.[16][17] In April 2009, the couple announced that they are expecting a boy. The due date is reported to be September 6, 2009.
[edit] Charity
Menzel was an Honorary Chair of the Imperial Court of New York's Annual Charity Coronation Ball, Night of A Thousand Gowns on March 21, 2009. Other Honorary Chairs for the evening's charity event included Sir Elton John CBE, Patti LuPone, John Cameron Mitchell, Joan Rivers and Dame Robin Strasser.[18]
[edit] Work
[edit] Theatre
| Start year | Production | Role | Notes and awards |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Rent | Maureen Johnson |
|
| 2000 | The Wild Party | Kate |
|
| Summer of '42 | Dorothy |
|
|
| 2001 | Hair | Sheila |
|
| Aida | Amneris |
|
|
| 2002 | The Vagina Monologues | Performer |
|
| Funny Girl (concert) | Fanny Brice |
|
|
| 2003 | Wicked | Elphaba |
|
| 2005 | See What I Wanna See | Kesa / The Wife (Lily) / The Actress (Deanna) |
|
| 2006 | Wicked (London) | Elphaba |
|
| 2008 | Chess in Concert (concert) | Florence Vassy |
|
| Nero | Poppea |
|
[edit] Filmography
| Year | Film | Role | Notes and awards |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Kissing Jessica Stein | Bridesmaid | |
| 2002 | Just a Kiss | Linda | |
| 2004 | The Tollbooth | Raquel Cohen-Flaxman | |
| Water | Jessy Turner | ||
| 2005 | Rent | Maureen Johnson | Nominated - 2005 Northeastern Critics Award for Best Supporting Actress Nominated - 2005 Northeastern Critics Award for Best Ensemble Nominated - 2005 Broadcast Film Critics Award for Best Ensemble Nominated - 2005 Washington Film Critics Award for Best Ensemble |
| 2006 | Ask the Dust | Vera Rivkin | |
| 2007 | ShowBusiness: The Road to Broadway | as Herself | Recorded her own rendition of "Lullaby of Broadway" for the end credits |
| Enchanted | Nancy Tremaine |
[edit] Television
| Year | TV series | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | Hercules: The Animated Series | Circe | Episode ("Hercules and the Song of Circe") |
| 2004 | Rescue Me | Carol | Episode ("Sanctuary") |
| 2005 | Kevin Hill | Francine Prescott | Episodes ("Losing Isn't Everything", "Sacrificial Lambs") |
| 2009 | Soundstage (TV program) | Singer/Songwriter | Episodes ("PBS Soundstage premiere January 15, 2009") [19] |
| Private Practice | Lisa King | Episodes ("Do the Right Thing", "What You Do For Love") | |
| Chess in Concert | Florence Vassy | Episode ("PBS Great Performances premiere June 17, 2009") [20]
Released on region-free DVD (Reprise 2-517636) |
[edit] Discography
[edit] Studio albums
| Year | Album | U.S. | UK | Worldwide sales |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | Still I Can't Be Still | — | — | 9,000 |
| 2004 | Here | — | — | 12,250 |
| 2008 | I Stand | 58 | 54 | 42,000 |
[edit] Singles
| Year | Title | U.S. AC | U.S. Dance | R&R | Album |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | "Minuet" |
|
|
|
Still I Can't Be Still |
| 2006 | "Take Me or Leave Me" |
|
|
|
Rent soundtrack |
| 2007 | "Defying Gravity" |
|
|
|
non-album single |
| 2008 | "Brave" |
|
|
|
I Stand |
| "Gorgeous" |
|
|
|
||
| "Hope" |
|
|
|
non-album single |
[edit] Cast recordings
| Year | Title | Label |
|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Rent (Original Broadway Cast Recording) | DreamWorks Records |
| 2000 | The Wild Party (Lippa) (Off-Broadway) | RCA Victor Broadway |
| 2003 | Wicked (Original Broadway Cast Recording) | Decca Records |
| 2005 | Rent (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) | Warner Bros. Records |
| 2006 | See What I Wanna See (2005 Original Off-Broadway Cast) | Sh-K-Boom Records |
| 2009 | Chess in Concert (Live Recording of 2008 Royal Albert Hall Performance) | Reprise Records |
| 2009 | Highlights from Chess in Concert (Live Recording of 2008 Royal Albert Hall Performance) | Reprise Records |
[edit] Miscellaneous
| Year | Song | Album | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | "Follow If You Lead" | The Other Sister (Music From The Motion Picture) | Hollywood Records |
| 2003 | "How Shall I See You Through My Tears", "The Want of a Nail" (Backing vocals) | Camp (Music from the Motion Picture) | Decca Records |
| "I Saw Three Ships" | Broadway's Greatest Gifts: Carols for a Cure, Vol. 5 | Rock-It Science Records | |
| 2005 | "Damsel In Distress" | Music from and Inspired by Desperate Housewives | Hollywood Records |
| "I Will Be There" | Genius & Friends | Rhino Records | |
| 2007 | "A Hero Comes Home" (End Credit Version) | Beowulf (Music from the Motion Picture) | Warner Bros. Records |
| 2008 | "What If" (duet with Rhydian) | Rhydian | Syco Records |
| 2008 | "Brave" |
[edit] References
- ^ Neumaier, Joe (2005-11-15). "RENT CONTROL. One part original, one part newcomer". Daily News (New York). http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/entertainment/2005/11/15/2005-11-15_rent_control__one_part_origi.html. Retrieved 2008-03-06.
- ^ Trained to Be Wild - New York Times
- ^ a b Kachka, Boris (2005-10-23). "Something Wicked This Way Comes". New York (magazine). http://nymag.com/nymetro/arts/theater/14856/. Retrieved 2008-02-18.
- ^ Ouzounian, Richard (2005-11-29). "Gig was weddings before Rent called; Menzel's big voice 'discovered' at age 5 Witch role in Wicked made her a star". The Toronto Star. http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/thestar/access/932866611.html?dids=932866611:932866611&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT. Retrieved 2008-03-06.
- ^ Dan Cairns (2008-08-31). "Idina Menzel: from Broadway belter to pop star". The Times. http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/article4633155.ece. Retrieved 2008-08-31.
- ^ "Idina Menzel's Official Website". http://www.idinamenzel.com. Retrieved 2008-02-18.
- ^ McKinley, Jesse (2005-01-10). "Ding Dong, a Witch Is Hurt, but She Takes Her Final Bow". The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2005/01/10/theater/10wicked.html. Retrieved 2008-02-18.
- ^ Wolf, Matt (2006-09-25). "Idina Menzel". Broadway.com (London). http://london.broadway.com/story/id/3003794/story/id/3003794. Retrieved 2008-02-18.
- ^ theatre, powerhouse (2008-06-30). "Idina Menzel highlights casting for Nero". powerhouse.vassar.edu. http://powerhouse.vassar.edu/news/2008/080630-powerhouse-menzel.html. Retrieved 2008-07-26.
- ^ "Idina Menzel - Still I Can't Be Still". http://www2.uta.edu/hunt/charts/idina_menzel.htm. Retrieved 2008-02-18.
- ^ Gans, Andrew (November 11, 2008). "Tony Winner Menzel to Perform During Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade". Playbill. http://www.playbill.com/news/article/123218.html.
- ^ Gans, Andrew (November 27, 2008). "Macy's Parade Features White Christmas, In the Heights, South Pacific, Hair and Mermaid". Playbill. http://www.playbill.com/news/article/123743.html. "[...]and Tony winner Idina Menzel will offer "I Stand" on the M&M's on Broadway float."
- ^ "Hitched: Idina Menzel and Taye Diggs". Variety. 2003-01-30. http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117879765.html?categoryid=27&cs=1. Retrieved 2008-08-31.
- ^ Idina Menzel
- ^ McKinley, Jesse (2004-12-06). "Witch Hunt". Entertainment Weekly. http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,911452,00.html. Retrieved 2008-02-18.
- ^ Magazine, US (2009-03-31). "Taye Diggs and Idina Menzel Expecting First Child". US Magazine. http://www.usmagazine.com/news/exclusive-taye-diggs-idina-menzel-expecting-a-baby-2009263. Retrieved 2009-02-18.
- ^ Magazine, US (2009-03-31). "Taye Diggs and Idina Menzel Are Expecting". People Magazine. http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20269108,00.html. Retrieved 2009-06-22.
- ^ "23rd Annual Night of A Thousand Gowns". The Imperial Court of New York. http://www.icny.org/tickets. Retrieved 2009-03-01.
- ^ http://www.pbs.org/wttw/soundstage/imenzel/bio.html
- ^ "Preview of Chess in Concert". PBS/WNET Television. http://www.pbs.org/wnet/gperf/episodes/chess-in-concert/preview-of-chess-in-concert/783/. Retrieved 2009-06-22.
[edit] External links
 |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Idina Menzel |
- Idina Menzel - Official site
- Idina Menzel at the Internet Broadway Database
- Idina Menzel at the Internet Movie Database
- Interview with Idina Menzel - at TonyAwards.com
- Idina-Here.com - Official Fan Site
- www.idinamenzel.com/community - Official Fan Club
|
||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||
