If you thought you knew everything there was to know about Idina Menzel, think again. The Tony Award-winning star of Wicked has returned to Broadway in a way fans haven’t quite seen before: not just as the leading lady in a brand-new musical, but as a co-creator. Titled REDWOOD, this highly anticipated show is now in previews at the Nederlander Theatre ahead of its official 13 February opening night. Menzel recently visited the Today show to perform In the Leaves—offering a tantalising sneak peek into a production that promises to weave soul-stirring melodies, immersive staging, and a deeply personal story.
For Idina Menzel, stepping onto the Nederlander Theatre stage is a nostalgic journey. Nearly thirty years ago, she made her Broadway debut in Rent at this very venue. Now, she returns as Jesse, the central figure in REDWOOD—a woman who finds herself at a crossroads in a Northern California redwood forest. While details of the plot are carefully guarded, we do know that Jesse’s life has been thrown off course by a seismic event, leaving her searching for new meaning among the towering trees.
REDWOOD is co-conceived by Menzel in partnership with Tina Landau, who also serves as the show’s director, book writer, and co-lyricist. If you’re familiar with Landau’s innovative work (she directed and co-conceived SpongeBob SquarePants: The Broadway Musical), you’ll appreciate the possibility for avant-garde visuals and playful storytelling. Here, Landau and Menzel blend songs, dance, and introspective moments to draw audiences into Jesse’s emotional journey—turning a literal forest into a realm of transformation and second chances.
In Menzel’s own words, “It has been such a gift to collaborate with Tina and Kate on this show, and I’m so proud to bring it to Broadway.” Clearly, that sense of pride resonates through every element of the production, from the cast’s synergy to the layered musical numbers.
Alongside Menzel, REDWOOD features an ensemble that unites both stage veterans and rising talents. De’Adre Azizatakes on the role of Mel, Michael Park appears as Finn, Zachary Noah Piser plays Spencer, and Khaila Wilcoxon stars as Becca. Serving as standbys are Daniel Brackett, Bradley Dean, Veronica Otim, and Jessica Phillips. The casting is handled by Patrick Goodwin at The Telsey Office, a renowned group responsible for placing talents in hits like Hamilton and Waitress.
Many members of the behind-the-scenes team are reprising their work from the show’s world premiere at La Jolla Playhouse. Scenic design is by Jason Ardizzone-West, with video design by Hana S. Kim, costume design by Toni-Leslie James, lighting design by Scott Zielinski, and sound design by Jonathan Deans. The presence of Melecio Estrella—from the vertical dance company BANDALOOP—hints at visually exciting aerial or “vertical movement” sequences. Meanwhile, orchestrations and arrangements come courtesy of Diaz, while the show’s music supervision is newly overseen by Tom Kitt, best known for his Tony-winning work on Next to Normal. Julie McBride serves as music director, further bolstering the production’s musical depth.
The production’s lead producers are Eva Price, Caroline Kaplan, and Loudmouth Media. Given these names, it’s clear REDWOOD is in capable hands, with a mix of creative risk-taking and proven expertise that positions the musical to catch both critical and commercial attention.
One of the highlights of Menzel’s Today show appearance was a glimpse at the song In the Leaves, a track that captures the character’s introspective mind-set. If you haven’t heard it yet, think of it as an enchanting fusion of folk and pop influences, with a dash of the powerful vocal belt that made Menzel a household name. The tune revolves around the image of leaves swirling in the forest, suggesting themes of renewal and the cyclical nature of life.
For Broadway buffs, hearing Menzel’s vocal colours in a new original score is thrilling. While she’s tackled everything from the iconic Defying Gravity in Wicked to Let It Go in Frozen (on screen), In the Leaves signals a return to a more intimate style. It’s a chance to witness an artist at the top of her game diving into fresh material—one that she’s personally invested in, both onstage and off.
According to the show’s creative notes, REDWOOD underwent its initial development at La Jolla Playhouse. The Californian setting proved particularly apt, given the narrative’s backdrop in a redwood forest. During its time at La Jolla, the musical received praise for its potential to blend natural imagery with internal struggles—turning nature into both a setting and a metaphor for personal growth. The involvement of audience favourites like Michael Park (Dear Evan Hansen, Smokey Joe’s Cafe) only boosted anticipation for the show’s next steps.
Data from the Broadway League suggests that audiences gravitate towards musicals that offer a dose of the unexpected—be it an unorthodox setting, a groundbreaking set design, or an established star forging a new path. By these measures, REDWOOD ticks several boxes: it’s an original story with echoes of contemporary life, it features bold staging choices (vertical dance sequences in a woodland environment aren’t exactly typical), and it centres on a beloved performer returning to her roots at the Nederlander.
One particularly unique feature of REDWOOD is the inclusion of vertical choreography by Melecio Estrella and BANDALOOP. Known for dancing on the sides of buildings, cliffs, and skyscrapers, BANDALOOP merges athleticism, aerial dance, and environmental connection in their performances. Incorporating such techniques into a Broadway musical is far from the usual tap numbers or jazz routines. Instead, it suggests scenes where characters might be traversing the stage’s vertical space to capture the essence of scaling tall redwood trees or descending into the depths of one’s soul.
Whether you’re a dance aficionado or simply curious about new forms of stage movement, these aerial elements stand to be a talking point. They represent the kind of innovative approach that can set a musical apart—something that the theatre community has been consistently eager to celebrate, from the acrobatics of Cirque du Soleil to the parkour-inspired leaps in shows like Tarzan or Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark. REDWOOD looks poised to continue that lineage, albeit with a more heartfelt and reflective slant.
Early fan reactions—from social media chatter to theatre blogs—have been overwhelmingly positive, especially once audiences heard In the Leaves. With the official opening set for 13 February, there’s plenty of time for the show to continue building momentum and refining any last details in previews. If you’re someone who can’t wait to get a taste of the Redwood sound, you might also look up Menzel’s performance of Great Escape, another track from the show that recently got a live rendition. The tune’s yearning vibe and Menzel’s powerhouse vocals easily evoke comparisons to some of her most beloved ballads, offering a preview of the emotional highs Redwood aims to deliver nightly.
For those already booking tickets, the Nederlander’s location in the heart of the Theatre District means you could conceivably turn your Redwood visit into a day-long Broadway adventure—popping into a matinee before or after, grabbing dinner at a favourite restaurant, or strolling through Times Square to soak in the electric pre-show buzz.
There’s been a renewed appetite on Broadway for original musicals that aren’t drawn from existing films, novels, or classic songbooks. With Redwood, the creative team is carving out space for new narratives that strike a chord with modern audiences, addressing themes like self-discovery, resilience, and the quest for meaning in a world that can feel chaotic. In a way, Redwood encapsulates a wave of shows—some in the US, some in Australian theatre, others in the West End—that use contemporary storytelling techniques to speak directly to the here and now.
Considering Idina Menzel’s record of championing fresh work—from If/Then to Redwood—her involvement can bring instant credibility and a built-in fan base. And with the show’s emphasis on bridging natural beauty with personal upheaval, Redwood could spur audience members to reflect on their own crossroads moments. At its core, the show invites us to reconnect with the parts of ourselves that yearn for growth—much like a redwood seedling pushing through the forest floor.
If you’re considering your next Broadway outing, Redwood’s creative blend of vertical dance, rousing songs, and introspective themes is certainly worth your radar. Idina Menzel’s involvement, both as star and co-conceiver, ensures that the production carries the stamp of an artist who’s not afraid to challenge herself or her fans. Meanwhile, the dynamic staging helmed by Tina Landau hints that Redwood won’t be your typical, proscenium-bound musical.
Opening night on 13 February will be the moment all eyes turn to the Nederlander, waiting to see how critics and crowds respond to this walk among the redwood trees. For those in the know, Redwood promises not just a cameo from a stage legend but a fully realised theatrical environment—rooted in nature, blossoming with soaring melodies, and reaching for new horizons in the realm of musical storytelling.
Ultimately, Redwood offers a testament to musical theatre’s power to merge real-world emotion with imaginative landscapes. With Idina Menzel weaving her signature vocals into a brand-new score, under the bold direction of Tina Landau, Redwood beckons us to reflect on life’s turning points and rediscover hope in the simplest of places—like the serenity of towering trees. Whether you’re drawn by the promise of innovative dance, a stirring new songbook, or simply the star power of a returning Broadway favourite, Redwood seems set to stand tall—elevating hearts and minds, one performance at a time.
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