Idina Kim Menzel (born May 30, 1971) is a Tony Award-winning American actress, singer and songwriter who achieved fame for her performances as Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West, in the Tony award-winning musical Wicked and as Maureen Johnson in the Broadway and film versions of Rent. Events 1416 - The Council of Constance, called by the Emperor Sigismund a supporter of Antipope John XXIII burns Jerome of Prague following Year 1971 ( MCMLXXI) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar of the 1971 Gregorian calendar. The City of New York The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Taye Diggs (born Scott L Diggs; January 2, 1971) is an American Theatre, Film and television Actor. Events 1416 - The Council of Constance, called by the Emperor Sigismund a supporter of Antipope John XXIII burns Jerome of Prague following Year 1971 ( MCMLXXI) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar of the 1971 Gregorian calendar. The Antoinette Perry Awards for Excellence in Theatre, more commonly known as the Tony Awards, recognize achievement in live American Theatre and are presented The United States of America —commonly referred to as the An actor, actress, player or thespian (see terminology) is a person who Acts in a Dramatic production and who works A songwriter is someone who writes the Lyrics to songs the Musical composition (chords or Melody to songs or both Elphaba Thropp is the name given to the Wicked Witch of the West in Wicked The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory The Wicked Witch of the West (or simply The Wicked Witch) is a character in the fictional Land of Oz created by American author L The Antoinette Perry Awards for Excellence in Theatre, more commonly known as the Tony Awards, recognize achievement in live American Theatre and are presented Musical theatre is a form of Theatre combining Music, Songs spoken Dialogue and Dance. Wicked is a musical with songs and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and a book by Winnie Holzman. Rent is a Rock musical, with music and lyrics by Jonathan Larson based on Giacomo Puccini 's Opera La Bohème

Biography

Early life

Menzel was born in Queens, New York as Idina Kim Mentzel,^[1] of Jewish heritage. New York ( is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States and is the nation's third most populous PLEASE TAKE NOTE************ ^[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 surname (Mentzel) because of constant mispronunciation. Syosset is a hamlet (and a Census-designated place) in Nassau County, New York, within the Town of Oyster Bay. ^[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, where she earned a Bachelors of Fine Arts degree in Drama, until she was cast in Jonathan Larson's rock musical Rent. In Judaism, Bar Mitzvah ( Hebrew: בר מצוה "one (m to whom the commandments apply" Bat Mitzvah (בת מצוה "one (f New York University ( NYU) is a private, Nonsectarian, Coeducational Research University in New York City. Tisch School of the Arts (known more commonly as Tisch or TSOA) is one of the 15 schools that make up New York University (NYU In the USA the Bachelor of Fine Arts, usually abbreviated BFA, is the standard Undergraduate degree for students seeking a professional education in the Jonathan Larson ( February 4, 1960 – January 25, 1996) was an American Tony Award -winning Composer and Rock operas, Concept albums Song cycles and Oratorios all differ from a conventional rock album which usually includes songs that are unrelated to each Rent is a Rock musical, with music and lyrics by Jonathan Larson based on Giacomo Puccini 's Opera La Bohème ^[3]

Theatre career

In 1995, Menzel auditioned for Rent, which became her first professional theater job and her Broadway debut. Rent is a Rock musical, with music and lyrics by Jonathan Larson based on Giacomo Puccini 's Opera La Bohème Broadway theater, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 39 large professional theaters with 500 seats or more located 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. Off-Broadway plays or musicals are performed in New York City. New York Theatre Workshop (NYTW is an Off-Broadway Theatre noted for its acclaimed and innovative productions of new works Events 1340 - King Edward III of England is declared King of France. Year 1996 ( MCMXCVI) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display full 1996 Gregorian calendar) David T Nederlander Theatre (formerly " Billy Rose Theatre " or "National Theatre" is a 1232-seat Broadway theatre located at 208 West 41st Street 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. The Antoinette Perry Awards for Excellence in Theatre, more commonly known as the Tony Awards, recognize achievement in live American Theatre and are presented This is a list of the winners and nominations of Tony Award for the Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical. She completed her last performance on July 1, 1997. "July 1st" redirects here For the Ayumi Hamasaki song see H (song. Year 1997 ( MCMXCVII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1997 Gregorian calendar

Following the success of Rent, Idina 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. Goodspeed Musicals, a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation and advancement of musical theater and the creation of new works was formed in 1959 to restore the Goodspeed Connecticut ( is a state located in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. New York City Center's Encores! Great American Musicals in Concert has been performing since 1994 Hair The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical is a Rock musical with a book and lyrics by James Rado and Gerome Ragni and music by Galt Aida is a musical drama in two acts based on Giuseppe Verdi 's Italian-language opera by the same name which is based on a story by Auguste Mariette 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. The Drama Desk Award, created in 1955, is an award which recognizes shows produced on Broadway, Off-Broadway, Off-off-Broadway, and 2000 ( MM) was a Leap year that started on Saturday of the Common Era, in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. Off-Broadway plays or musicals are performed in New York City. Andrew Lippa is an American Composer, Lyricist, book writer, Performer, and The Wild Party is a narrative poem. Written in the classical epic style it is Joseph Moncure March 's first published work Her other off-Broadway credits include the pre-Broadway run of Rent and The Vagina Monologues. Off-Broadway plays or musicals are performed in New York City. The Vagina Monologues is an Obie Award -winning episodic play written by Eve Ensler which ran at the Off-Broadway Westside Theatre ^[5]

As Elphaba in Wicked with Norbert Leo Butz as Fiyero (Original Broadway Cast)

In 2003, Menzel starred alongside fellow actress and singer Kristin Chenoweth on Broadway in Wicked, a musical by Stephen Schwartz and Winnie Holzman based upon the popular 1995 Gregory Maguire novel. Elphaba Thropp is the name given to the Wicked Witch of the West in Wicked The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Wicked is a musical with songs and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and a book by Winnie Holzman. Norbert Leo Butz (born January 30, 1967) is an American Actor best known for his work in Broadway theatre. Fiyero is a character in Gregory Maguire 's novel Wicked The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West, as well as in the Broadway Kristin Chenoweth (born July 24, 1968) is an American Singer and Musical theatre, Film and Television Actress Wicked is a musical with songs and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and a book by Winnie Holzman. Stephen Lawrence Schwartz (born March 6, 1948) is an American Musical theater lyricist and Composer. Winnie Holzman (born in 1954 in New York City) is an award-winning American dramatist screenwriter and poet Gregory Maguire (born June 9, 1954 in Albany, New York) is an American author Wicked The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West, is a Parallel novel published in 1995. Idina received the 2004 Tony Award for Best Leading Actress in a Musical for her portrayal of Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West. "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again " The Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical is the Tony Awards award given to the actress who was voted as the best actress in a musical, whether a new production Elphaba Thropp is the name given to the Wicked Witch of the West in Wicked The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory The Wicked Witch of the West (or simply The Wicked Witch) is a character in the fictional Land of Oz created by American author L On her third to last performance of Wicked on January 8, 2005, she fell through a trap door and cracked a lower rib. Events 871 - Battle of Ashdown - Ethelred of Wessex defeats a Danish invasion army Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The injury prevented her from performing in the January 9 show. Events 475 - Byzantine Emperor Zeno is forced to flee his capital at Constantinople. 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. A standing ovation is a form of Applause where members of a seated Audience stand up while applauding ^[6] Menzel was replaced by Elphaba standby Shoshana Bean. Shoshana Elise Bean (born September 1, 1977) is an American stage Actress and Singer known for her roles in Broadway

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. Off-Broadway plays or musicals are performed in New York City. The Public Theater is a New York City arts organization founded as The Shakespeare Workshop in 1954 by Joseph Papp, with the intention of showcasing the works of up-and-coming See What I Wanna See is a musical by Michael John LaChiusa based on three short stories by Ryūnosuke Akutagawa: "Kesa and Morito" Michael John LaChiusa' (born July 24, 1962) is a Tony Award -nominated American Musical theatre composer lyricist and For her role as various characters, she received Drama Desk Award and Drama League Award nominations. The Drama Desk Award, created in 1955, is an award which recognizes shows produced on Broadway, Off-Broadway, Off-off-Broadway, and The Drama League Awards, created in 1935 honor distinguished productions and performances both on Broadway and Off-Broadway, in addition to recognizing exemplary 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. Elphaba Thropp is the name given to the Wicked Witch of the West in Wicked The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory West End theatre is a popular term for mainstream professional theatre staged in the large theatres of London 's "Theatreland" Events 1251 BC - A Solar eclipse on this date might mark the birth of legendary Heracles at Thebes Greece. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ^[7] Menzel finished her run on December 30, 2006. Events 1460 - Wars of the Roses: Battle of Wakefield. 1816 - The Treaty of St Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Menzel was then succeeded by fellow Elphaba standby Kerry Ellis. Elphaba Thropp is the name given to the Wicked Witch of the West in Wicked The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Kerry Ellis (born May 6, 1979) is a British stage actress who recently starred as Elphaba in the West End production of the musical

She was slated to appear in Vassar College's Powerhouse Theater premiere of "Romantic Poetry" in July 2007 but was forced to cancel because of conflicts with the schedule for the release of her third solo album.

Menzel has played the leading role of Florence in the 21st Anniversary two-night concerts of Chess at the Royal Albert Hall, London from May 12, 2008 through May 13, 2008. Chess is a musical with Lyrics by Tim Rice and music by Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson, formerly of ABBA The Royal Albert Hall is an Arts venue situated in the Knightsbridge area of the City of Westminster, London, England, best known London ( ˈlʌndən is the capital and largest urban area in the United Kingdom. Events 1191 - Richard I of England marries Berengaria of Navarre. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 1497 - Pope Alexander VI excommunicates Girolamo Savonarola. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Previous London Elphaba Kerry Ellis (Menzel's former standby) joined her. ^[8]

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. Kissing Jessica Stein is a 2001 American independent Romantic comedy film, written and co-produced by the film's stars Jennifer Ask the Dust is a 2006 film based on the book Ask the Dust by John Fante. Enchanted is a 2007 Musical film, directed by Kevin Lima and produced by Walt Disney Feature Animation and released by Walt Disney Rent is a 2005 film adaptation of the Broadway musical of the same name.

Menzel performed at the 1998 Lilith Fair summer concert festival and continues to write and perform original music. Lilith Fair was a Concert tour and traveling Music festival, founded by musician Sarah McLachlan, that consisted solely of female solo artists and female-led She has toured extensively and frequently performs in various venues throughout New York City. The City of New York She produced and released her debut album, Still I Can’t Be Still, for Hollywood Records in 1998. Hollywood Records is a Record label owned by the Walt Disney Company. One single from the album, "Minuet," made the Radio & Records CHR/Pop Tracks chart at #48 in October 1998. Radio & Records ( R&R) was a weekly trade magazine that tracked radio airplay from the various genres including pop country R&B and many others ^[9]

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. The American Broadcasting Company ( ABC) is an American Television network. Desperate Housewives is an American Television Dramedy series created by Marc Cherry, who also serves as Show runner, and produced In 2007, she appeared on the Beowulf soundtrack singing the end credits song, "A Hero Comes Home". Beowulf is a 2007 Performance capture Action film based on the Old English epic poem of the same name.

Singer Ray Charles invited Menzel to duet with him on one of the tracks of his album Genius & Friends. Ray Charles Robinson ( September 23, 1930 – June 10, 2004) known by his Stage name Ray Charles, was an American Genius & Friends is a 2005 tribute Album by Ray Charles, consisting of duets between Charles and musicians The tracks were recorded in 1998 but were never produced, and it was one of his dying wishes that the album be made, a wish which was fulfilled posthumously.

Menzel has appeared on the cast recordings of Rent and Wicked, two of the best-selling cast recordings of all time, as well as the recordings of Lippa's The Wild Party, LaChiusa's See What I Wanna See, and the soundtrack of the film Rent. A cast recording is a recording of a musical that is intended to document the songs as they were performed in the show and experienced by the audience She recently signed a record deal with Warner Bros. Records. Warner Bros Records Inc is an American Record label that operates as a wholly owned Subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

A new studio version of Defying Gravity was released in May 2007 on iTunes. "Defying Gravity" is the showstopper song from the musical Wicked, composed by Stephen Schwartz and originally recorded by Idina Menzel & iTunes is a proprietary digital media player application introduced by Apple Inc A remix of Defying Gravity was the "anthem" at the 2007 Gay Pride Parade and Festival in Los Angeles and that version appears on the official CD from the event. "Defying Gravity" is the showstopper song from the musical Wicked, composed by Stephen Schwartz and originally recorded by Idina Menzel & It has instantly become a collectors item.

Her third solo album, I Stand, was released on January 29, 2008. I Stand is an album by singer Idina Menzel. Menzel enlisted Glen Ballard, best known for Alanis Morissette ’s 16-times-platinum Jagged 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.

On April 1, 2008, Menzel kicked off her "I Stand" tour in support of her new album.

Personal life

Menzel married actor Taye Diggs, her co-star from the original Broadway production of Rent, on January 11, 2003 after 7 years of dating. Taye Diggs (born Scott L Diggs; January 2, 1971) is an American Theatre, Film and television Actor. Rent is a Rock musical, with music and lyrics by Jonathan Larson based on Giacomo Puccini 's Opera La Bohème Events 1055 - Theodora is crowned Empress of the Byzantine Empire. Year 2003 ( MMIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. They have a Yorkshire Terrier named Sammy Davis, Jr. , and two cats named Ella and Coltrane whom they call their "Jazz Cats" since 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. Events 1060 - Béla I of Hungary is crowned king of Hungary 1240 - Mongol invasion of Rus: Kiev "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again " The New York Post is the 13th-oldest Newspaper published in the United States and generally acknowledged as the oldest to have been published continually ^[10]

In November 2007, Menzel worked with the Kids Wish Network to grant a wish for Sammie, a young woman with common variable immunodeficiency, taking her to the Los Angeles premiere of the film Enchanted. The Kids Wish Network is a 501(c(3 Non-profit organization that grants wishes to children with life-threatening medical conditions. Enchanted is a 2007 Musical film, directed by Kevin Lima and produced by Walt Disney Feature Animation and released by Walt Disney ^[11]

Body of work

Theatre credits

Filmography

TV credits

Discography

Studio albums

Cast recordings

Miscellaneous

References

External links

• Idina Menzel - Official site
• Idina Menzel at the Internet Movie Database
• Idina Menzel at the Internet Broadway Database
• Interview with Idina Menzel - at TonyAwards. The Internet Broadway Database ( IBDB) is an online Database of Broadway theatre productions and their personnel com
• Idina-Here.com - Official Fan Site