Idena Menzel Returns to Broadway
If you’ve ever gazed up at the towering majesty of a redwood tree, you’ll know how small it can make you feel in comparison to the vastness of nature. There’s something magical about these giants of the forest: a quiet wisdom that comes from centuries of standing watch over the land. That ineffable sense of wonder is precisely what inspired Idina Menzel—the Tony Award-winning performer renowned for her work in shows such as WICKED—and director-lyricist Tina Landau to embark on a journey that has spanned over 15 years. The result is REDWOOD, a brand-new musical set to open at the Nederlander Theatre on Broadway. For theatre enthusiasts and nature lovers alike, it promises an experience that goes beyond entertainment, unearthing universal themes of resilience, connection, and personal growth.
The seeds of REDWOOD were planted long before previews began on 24 January this year. As Tina Landau recalls, she was “obsessed with trees” while Idina Menzel was enamoured by a specific tale about “a woman in a tree.” In a delightful twist of fate, the pair realised their ideas dovetailed perfectly. Together with composer Kate Diaz, they’ve brought to life a story that, much like its titular trees, has taken root and flourished over time. The show’s creative lineage can be traced back to its world premiere at La Jolla Playhouse in California, where audiences first fell in love with its heartfelt message and striking visual design.
The Redwood Obsession
REDWOOD isn’t just a title—it’s an homage to some of Earth’s oldest living beings. Idina Menzel describes redwood trees as “incredible, wise creatures,” capable of teaching us about resilience. Indeed, redwoods have survived for thousands of years, enduring fires, storms, and all manner of natural challenges. This near-mythical endurance is what makes them a powerful symbol for the show’s main character, Jesse, played by Menzel herself. After a traumatic event, Jesse finds solace and healing in the act of climbing a redwood tree—a journey that becomes a poignant metaphor for confronting one’s own trials and tribulations.
Beyond their symbolic significance, redwood forests offer a real-life wonder that draws adventurers, environmentalists, and casual visitors alike. With some redwoods measuring more than 100 metres tall and over 2,000 years old, these magnificent trees are a living testament to nature’s power. Their canopies can be home to entire ecosystems—micro-environments where plants, birds, and insects thrive high above the forest floor. That sense of layered life is woven into the fabric of REDWOOD, mirrored by the show’s layers of storytelling, music, and choreography.
Bringing the Musical to Life
At the heart of REDWOOD is its driving creative team. Tina Landau, celebrated for projects like SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS: THE BROADWAY MUSICAL, serves as director and lyricist alongside composer-lyricist Kate Diaz, whose emerging talents shine through an eclectic score that marries sweeping orchestral arrangements with contemporary melodies. The show’s orchestrations and arrangements are also courtesy of Diaz, offering a unified musical vision that immerses theatre-goers in the wonder of the forest canopy. For its Broadway debut, REDWOOD has enlisted the expertise of music supervisor Tom Kitt (known for his Tony-winning work on NEXT TO NORMAL) and music director Julie McBride, ensuring the show’s songs have the emotional heft and sonic polish they deserve.
Further bolstering the production is an accomplished creative team dedicated to building a lush visual and auditory landscape. Scenic designer Jason Ardizzone-West returns to create a stage environment that conjures the towering grace of redwood forests, while video designer Hana S. Kim adds dynamic projections to enhance the sense of natural grandeur. Toni-Leslie James outfits the cast with costumes that highlight both the contemporary elements of the show and the timeless, organic quality of the redwoods. Scott Zielinski’s lighting designs transport the audience from sun-dappled forest floors to moonlit canopies high above. Sound designer Jonathan Deans crafts an aural tapestry that captures the hush of the forest alongside the soaring music.
The physicality of climbing a redwood is no small feat, and REDWOOD enlists Melecio Estrella of vertical dance troupe Bandaloop to choreograph the “vertical movement.” This means the cast—led by Menzel—will be not just singing and dancing, but also performing aerial feats that evoke the surreal beauty of redwood canopies. Bandaloop has previously performed on skyscrapers and cliffs, transforming everyday structures into stages. Now, they bring that same wonder to the theatre, blurring the line between dance and flight.
A Stellar Cast
Central to REDWOOD is, of course, Idina Menzel as Jesse. Fans of her powerhouse vocals from WICKED and her Tony-winning performance in RENT will undoubtedly relish this new role, which pushes Menzel into fresh emotional territory. Jesse’s journey is as much an internal one—coming to terms with past trauma—as it is a physical climb. Menzel’s ability to navigate raw vulnerability and triumphant optimism makes her a natural fit.
Backing Menzel is a formidable ensemble. De’Adre Aziza takes on Mel, Michael Park portrays Finn, and Zachary Noah Piser is Spencer. Adding to the Broadway line-up, Khaila Wilcoxon joins as Becca, bringing a dynamic energy to the production. Standbys Daniel Brackett, Bradley Dean, Veronica Otim, and Jessica Phillips complete the company, ensuring the show’s momentum never falters. Their camaraderie, shaped by workshopping REDWOOD for years, is evident on stage, lending an organic warmth to every scene.
The Show’s Journey to Broadway
It’s no small task for a new musical to make it to Broadway, let alone one that’s 15 years in the making. REDWOOD’s earliest seeds were sown through the shared vision of Tina Landau and Idina Menzel, who set out to develop a narrative that merged their fascination with nature and profound human themes. While some new musicals are rapidly produced, this one took time to mature—much like a redwood sapling. Along the way, workshops and developmental readings helped refine the music and script, leading to a successful premiere at La Jolla Playhouse. Critics praised the show’s intimate portrayal of personal healing, the innovative stage effects, and its resonance in a world increasingly conscious of climate and sustainability issues.
Indeed, REDWOOD’s environmental subtext feels incredibly timely. Though it never hits the audience over the head with a soapbox message, the show gently reminds us that trees are not merely scenic backdrops but living entities vital to the planet’s well-being. They communicate with one another through intricate underground networks of roots and fungi—something scientists have only recently begun to understand fully. In the context of this musical, that interconnectedness becomes a metaphor for human relationships. Just as redwoods support each other, so do the characters in REDWOOD find strength in unity.
Exploring the Music
An essential part of any musical is its score, and REDWOOD’s music, composed by Kate Diaz, treads a delicate line between show-stopping Broadway numbers and softer, introspective pieces that reflect the serenity of the forest. Listeners can expect big ensemble moments—likely to be crowd-pleasers—interspersed with more intimate songs that peel back the layers of each character. Menzel fans will no doubt be curious about her new solos, which promise to highlight the raw, emotional depths she’s known for. Though the track list has yet to be released in its entirety, pieces like Up the Trunk(an early favourite among those who attended La Jolla) are rumoured to bring the audience directly into Jesse’s perspective as she climbs skyward in search of release and self-discovery.
Diaz’s orchestrations further enhance the notion of vertical space, using strings and light percussion to evoke the delicate soundscape of a forest breeze, then building to powerful crescendos that mirror the breathtaking heights of a redwood canopy. It’s a style that merges the best of contemporary musical theatre with a touch of folk-inspired sensibility—a nod to the rustic, natural setting at the heart of the show.
A Theatrical Spectacle
One of the show’s most distinguishing features is its innovative use of aerial choreography. Under Melecio Estrella’s guidance, the actors ascend and descend the stage in gravity-defying routines that simulate climbing the colossal trunks and roaming the canopies high above the ground. Bandaloop’s history of merging dance with climbing and suspension techniques fits seamlessly into a story about a woman who literally goes up a tree to heal. For those who may have seen Bandaloop’s outdoor performances on skyscrapers, imagine that same sense of awe now adapted to a theatre environment. It’s a theatrical spectacle that stands to surprise even the most seasoned theatregoers.
Crafting the redwood environment on stage is no easy task. Jason Ardizzone-West’s scenic design has been praised for its naturalistic textures and soaring columns that suggest the massive trunks. Meanwhile, Hana S. Kim’s video projections help transition the audience from dawn to dusk, capturing the gentle shift of light through leaves. The combined effect is akin to stepping into a living forest—yet with the comfort of plush seats and a roof overhead. This immersive approach ensures that, by the time the cast breaks into song, you’re already halfway up the tree yourself, feeling the sway of the branches.
For anyone who has been missing a sense of grandeur and adventure in musical theatre, REDWOOD is poised to fill that gap. It’s neither a tried-and-tested revival nor a jukebox compilation of familiar pop hits; instead, it’s an original story that attempts something both visually and emotionally ambitious. At its core, REDWOOD is about human resilience—mirrored by the durability of the redwoods—and the importance of confronting personal hardships head-on. It celebrates community and interdependence, urging us to recognise that our stories, like the intertwining roots of these magnificent trees, are all connected.
Beyond the show’s environmental nods, REDWOOD also stands out as a creative partnership between two remarkable women in theatre—Idina Menzel and Tina Landau—whose combined vision has finally taken centre stage. Add in the fresh talent of Kate Diaz, plus the impeccable credentials of experts like Tom Kitt and Julie McBride, and you have a recipe for a production that aspires to break new ground while paying homage to the age-old tradition of storytelling through music.
The Curtain Call
As opening night on 13 February draws closer (following previews from 24 January), buzz around REDWOOD continues to grow. It is, after all, a show that’s 15 years in the making, nurtured by the kind of passion you rarely see in a fast-paced industry. Whether you’re a devoted theatregoer or simply curious about this enthralling fusion of live performance and natural spectacle, REDWOOD offers a timely reminder of our shared resilience in the face of adversity. The production invites you to reflect on your own growth journey—are you willing to climb your own metaphorical tree and see just how far you can rise?
To experience REDWOOD in all its towering glory, be sure to plan a visit to the Nederlander Theatre starting 24 January, with the official opening night on 13 February. This is more than just a new musical: it’s a heartfelt exploration of the human spirit, set against the awe-inspiring backdrop of nature’s own giants. And much like a redwood that continues to stand for centuries, the story told on stage might just linger in your heart long after the final bow. If you’re seeking a breath of fresh air—quite literally, in theatrical terms—REDWOOD could very well be the show to set your imagination alight.
Don’t miss your chance to be among the first to witness a landmark production that promises to leave you feeling uplifted, humbled, and perhaps just a little bit taller. After all, if there’s one thing these ancient trees teach us, it’s that growth, in every sense of the word, is always possible.
Visit RedwoodMusical.com for ticket information and performance schedules.
