Idina Menzel Headshot

Idina Menzel

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Idina Menzel BIO

Idina Menzel rose to fame for her role as Maureen in the popular Broadway musical “Rent,” and her career took off when she won a Tony® Award for her role as Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West, in the smash musical “Wicked.” Menzel recently starred as Jodi in the West Coast premiere of Joshua Harmon’s “Skintight”; the show is a follow up to the off-Broadway performance that opened to rave reviews at Roundabout Theatre Company. Additionally, she joins Adam Sandler, Eric Bogosian, Lakeith Stanfield and Judd Hirsch in the Safdie Brothers’ A24 film “Uncut Gems.”

A skillful songwriter, Menzel’s prolific recording career includes multiple cast albums and the solo albums: “Still I Can’t Be Still,” “Here,” “I Stand,” and her latest album, “idina.,” which was released September 2016 by Warner Bros. Records. “idina.“ marks Menzel’s first original studio album since 2008’s “I Stand,” and its first two singles “I See You” and “Queen of Swords” are available everywhere now. The album is produced by Eric Rosse (Tori Amos, Sara Bareilles) and Greg Wells (Katy Perry, OneRepublic). “idina.” is Menzel’s first album since her October 2014 release of “Holiday Wishes,” a Christmas album produced by GRAMMY® Award-winner Walter Afanasieff (Barbra Streisand, Celine Dion, Mariah Carey). The album was met with rave reviews, debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Holiday Albums Chart and gave Menzel a top-10 album on the Billboard Top 200 Album Chart. Menzel has received the Breakthrough Artist of the Year Award at Billboard’s annual Women in Music event, and recently completed a worldwide tour that included Asia, the U.K. and North America. Menzel also sang the National Anthem at Super Bowl XLIX.

In January 2017, Menzel was seen in Lifetime’s remake of “Beaches,” in which she portrayed CC, the role made famous by Bette Midler. Her other film credits include Disney’s “Enchanted,” opposite Susan Sarandon, Patrick Dempsey and Amy Adams; Maureen in Chris Columbus’ film version of “Rent”; and Robert Towne’s “Ask the Dust,” opposite Salma Hayek and Colin Farrell. On television, Menzel appeared in the recurring role of Shelby Corcoran, Rachel’s biological mother, on Fox’s “Glee.”

Menzel was previously seen on Broadway in the original production “If/Then,” for which she earned her third Tony nomination. “If/Then” played at the Richard Rodgers Theatre through March 2015, which was followed by a nationwide tour with Menzel and several cast members. Menzel also appeared as Sheila in the Encores! production of “Hair” and starred as Amneris in Broadway’s “Aida.” In London, she premiered the Broadway hit “Wicked” in the West End and received the Theatregoers Choice Award for best actress in a musical. She also starred in Michael John LaChiusa’s musical “See What I Wanna See,” directed by Ted Sperling at The Public Theater. Other Off-Broadway credits include the pre-Broadway production of “Rent” and “The Vagina Monologues.”

Menzel is consistently lauded for her strong yet emotional live performances. Accompanied by world-renowned symphonies, Menzel has played to sold-out audiences and demonstrated why she is one of the great performers of her time. In March 2012, Menzel released a CD and DVD entitled “Idina Menzel Live: Barefoot at the Symphony,” a live concert with an orchestra led by legendary composer/conductor Marvin Hamlisch, filmed at The Royal Conservatory’s Koerner Hall in Toronto, Canada. The concert also aired nationally on PBS stations. Her highly successful international concert tour has also included sold-out performances at Carnegie Hall and Radio City Music Hall, and a New Year’s Eve 2012 performance at the Walt Disney Concert Hall.

Philanthropy is also important to Menzel, who co-founded the A BroaderWay Foundation in 2010. The organization is dedicated to offering girls from underserved communities an outlet for self-expression and creativity through arts-centered programs. The emphasis is on building self-esteem, developing leadership qualities and striving for personal and social achievement. In 2014, Menzel was recognized as one of Variety magazine’s Power of Women honorees for her work with the organization.

Idina Menzel Photos

Idina Menzel STAGE CREDITS

[West End]
Original London Production, 2021
Elphaba

[Los Angeles]
Geffen Playhouse West Coast Premiere, 2019
Jodi Isaac

[Off-Broadway]
Roundabout Off-Broadway Premiere, 2018
Jodi Isaac

[US Tour]
First National Tour, 2015
Beth/Elizabeth

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2014
Elizabeth

[West End]
2012
Performer

[Broadway]
Reunion Concert, 2006
Maureen Johnson

[Off-Broadway]
Original Off-Broadway Production, 2005
An Actress

The Wife

Kesa

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2003
Elphaba

[San Francisco (Regional)]
World Premiere, 2003
Elphaba

[Broadway]
Actors' Fund Concert, 2002
Fanny Brice

[New York]
Workshop, 2002
Elphaba

[New York]
Reading, 2001
Elphaba

[Off-Broadway]
Encores! Concert, 2001
Sheila

[Chester, CT (Regional)]
World Premiere, 2000
Dorothy

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2000
Amneris [Replacement]

[Off-Broadway]
Original Off-Broadway Production, 2000
Kate

Kate

[Off-Broadway]
Original Off-Broadway Production, 1999
Performer [Replacement]

[Broadway]
Broadway Transfer, 1996
Maureen Johnson

[Off-Broadway]
Original Off-Broadway Production, 1996
Maureen Johnson

Maureen Johnson


Idina Menzel Movies

Kissing Jessica Stein
[ 2001 ] Bridesmaid
Water
[ 2004 ] Jessy Turner
The Tollbooth
[ 2004 ] Raquel Cohen-Flaxman
Rent
[ 2005 ] Maureen Johnson
Ask the Dust
[ 2006 ] Vera Rivkin
Enchanted
[ 2007 ] Nancy Tremaine
Frozen
[ 2013 ] Elsa
Ralph Breaks the Internet
[ 2018 ] Elsa
Uncut Gems
[ 2019 ] Dinah Ratner
Frozen II
[ 2019 ] Elsa
Josh Groban Bridges Live from Madison Square Garden
[ 2019 ] Self
Cinderella
[ 2021 ] Vivian
American Murderer
[ 2022 ] Melanie
Disenchanted
[ 2022 ] Nancy Tremaine

Idina Menzel TV Shows

Hercules
Circe
Rescue Me
Carol
Kevin Hill
Francine Prescott
Private Practice
Lisa King
Wonder Pets!
The Queen of Hearts
Glee
[ 2010-2013 ] Shelby Corcoran
Lego Frozen Northern Lights
Elsa
Beaches
CC Bloom
Rent: Live
The Original Broadway Cast

Idina Menzel Awards and Nominations


winner
Drama League Awards - 2018 - Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theatre

Idina Menzel


winner
BroadwayWorld Awards - 2014 - Best Leading Actress in a Musical

Idina Menzel, If/Then

Drama Desk Awards - 2014 - Outstanding Actress in a Musical

Idina Menzel, If/Then

Drama League Awards - 2014 - Distinguished Performance Award

Idina Menzel, If/Then

Tony Awards - 2014 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical

Idina Menzel, If/Then


winner
BroadwayWorld Awards - 2004 - Best Leading Actress in a Musical

Idina Menzel, Wicked

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2004 - Outstanding Actress in a Musical

Idina Menzel , Wicked


winner
Tony Awards - 2004 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical

Idina Menzel, Wicked


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 2003 - Outstanding Actress - Musical

Idina Menzel, Wicked

Tony Awards - 1996 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical

Idina Menzel, Rent

Idina Menzel Videos

Idina Menzel News


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Video: Willemijn Verkaik & Abla Alaoui Sing 'I Can't Lose You' from FROZEN in Hamburg


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Review: WICKED at Orpheum Theatre Memphis


I'll start my review by saying Wicked is my favorite musical of all time. I have seen it 10 times now, all in different cities, and each time left the theatre with tears in my eyes and my heart feeling a little lighter. This is the greatest example of how magical theatre can be, in my opinion. And my hopes for a beautiful production for my 10th viewing were not dashed in the slightest-- Olivia Valli and Celia Hottenstein bewitch the audience from their first moments on stage. 

Wake Up With BroadwayWorld April 4, 2024


Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is April 4, 2024 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.

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Video: 'World Theater' Featured as Final JEOPARDY! Category


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Idina Menzel FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Idina Menzel been in?

Idina Menzel has appeared on Broadway in 6 shows.

How many West End shows has Idina Menzel been in?

Idina Menzel has appeared on London's West End in 2 shows.

What was Idina Menzel's first West End show?

Idina Menzel's first West End show was Idina Menzel Live in Concert which opened in 2012

What awards has Idina Menzel been nominated for?

Idina Menzel has been nominated for several awards, including the Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theatre at the Drama League Awards, Best Leading Actress in a Musical at the BroadwayWorld Awards for If/Then, Outstanding Actress in a Musical at the Drama Desk Awards for If/Then, Distinguished Performance Award at the Drama League Awards for If/Then, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical at the Tony Awards for If/Then, Best Leading Actress in a Musical at the BroadwayWorld Awards for Wicked, Outstanding Actress in a Musical at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for Wicked, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical at the Tony Awards for Wicked, Outstanding Actress - Musical at the Drama Desk Awards for Wicked, and Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical at the Tony Awards for Rent.

What awards has Idina Menzel won?

Idina Menzel has won several awards, including the Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theatre from the Drama League Awards. She also won the Best Leading Actress in a Musical award from the BroadwayWorld Awards for her roles in "If/Then" and "Wicked." Additionally, Idina Menzel won the Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical at the Tony Awards for her role in "Wicked" and the Outstanding Actress - Musical award at the Drama Desk Awards for the same show.

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