Adele Dazeem the 21st Century Broadway Star- Page 5

[Liza's Headband]

Posted: 3/27/14 at 4:48pm

"I attended a couple of her concerts on tour and that is why these grosses don't surprise me in the least."

Her debut solo album tanked. All of those attending her concerts must have not bought the album...

[SonofRobbieJ]

Posted: 3/27/14 at 4:54pm

Her solo album (which she discusses in the Billboard article with tactful candor) was five years before Wicked opened on Broadway. Though the Rentheads were devout, it was nothing compared to the Wicked phenomenon.

[YouWantitWhen????]

Posted: 3/27/14 at 4:56pm

^^^^

Yeah, what MM said. Frozen and the Academy Awards heightened her exposure - but her fans are pretty rabid, and legendary.

I do worry about some possible backlash if this continues, but so far, it seems like she has been handling this rush of publicity well and with a good dose of humility. And, she looks like she is having a blast.

It will be interesting to see what the reviews look like on the 30th. This show may be review-proof as long as she is the lead.

And I admit it, I am a big fan of Idina's and her voice. She seems real, not manufactured - flaws and all - which is why I think her fans are so drawn to her.

[PositivelyEmerald]

Posted: 3/27/14 at 5:02pm

^The same fans that held a candle light vigil after her injury. It' was all a little bit crazy.

I'm seeing if/then tonight, and I'm very excited to see her in it!

[YouWantitWhen????]

Posted: 3/27/14 at 5:09pm

Also, her first album really underplayed her vocal strengths. It was really over produced and tried to turn her into some sort of easy listening clone. I much prefer her live versions of many of those songs because they have more life and energy.

Updated On: 3/27/14 at 05:09 PM

[LYLS3637]

Posted: 3/27/14 at 5:17pm

"Her debut solo album tanked. All of those attending her concerts must have not bought the album..."

Key word being "debut." I notice you didn't say anything about her PBS concert special/live album with Marvin Hamlisch and the subsequent tour that followed.

[Liza's Headband]

Posted: 3/27/14 at 5:33pm

Because I didn't know she had commercially released it. I thought it was just a PBS special.

I have nothing against Idina. She's wonderful. I just think a lot of you are giving "Wicked" way too much credit, and not enough to "Frozen." Her starring role in a Broadway musical doesn't sell out Billboard magazines. Her starring role in a Disney animated movie does, as well as sell tickets to a completely original musical.

[LYLS3637]

Posted: 3/27/14 at 5:38pm

With regards to this specific original musical, I don't think Frozen is selling the majority of seats. It's a very adult musical, trying to appeal to the opposite demographic of Frozen's.

This song is definitely selling seats due to its crossover appeal, I just don't think it's the majority.

[Liza's Headband]

Posted: 3/27/14 at 7:45pm

I would definitely agree with that second part of your post. For sure.

[ilive2sing22]

Posted: 3/27/14 at 9:25pm

I agree about the placement thing- I just can't imagine how that can be a healthy way of singing, either. It sounds so harsh on her throat...

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 3/27/14 at 10:29pm

"With regards to this specific original musical, I don't think Frozen is selling the majority of seats. It's a very adult musical, trying to appeal to the opposite demographic of Frozen's."

I agree, I think it's the Rent and Wicked fans, and fans of her voice in general that are purchasing tickets. She was also married to a high profile celebrity as well. That doesn't hurt.

[YouWantitWhen????]

Posted: 4/1/14 at 9:53am

As per Yahoo, Idina Mezel wins the Internet in March.
Yahoo Celebrity's Best Person on the Internet This Month: How Idina Menzel (aka 'Adele Dazeem') Won March

[yankeefan7]

Posted: 4/1/14 at 10:00am

"She was also married to a high profile celebrity as well. That doesn't hurt."

I don't see how being married to Taye Diggs will help sell tickets or add to her popularity. The one show (Rent) most people would know him from is the same one the Ms. Menzel was in so there is no real boost IMO.

[YouWantitWhen????]

Posted: 4/1/14 at 10:09am

Yeah, I really did not get that point. Many folks had no idea she was married to Taye.

[SonofRobbieJ]

Posted: 4/1/14 at 10:49am

'Her starring role in a Disney animated movie does, as well as sell tickets to a completely original musical.'

If this were true (and I don't believe it is), how are we not dealing with the fact that she's a voice actor in the film? Her face is never shown. The character doesn't even look like it's based on Menzel's features. It's simply the power of her vocal performance that is connecting with people. That's an even more remarkable feat...if we buy the premise that it's Frozen that's selling the tickets to If/Then.

[neonlightsxo]

Posted: 4/1/14 at 11:48am

I think the Frozen thing is helping, but the real source of the ticket sales is Wicked. The Wicked fans who may not have seen her as Elphaba but are obsessed with the show. It's a huge hit. People know her from that. Frozen, Rent, everything else, helps, but Wicked is the reason she's a draw.

[jets]

Posted: 4/1/14 at 1:54pm

I was watching an interview from opening night & noticed Cheryl Maisel was with Idina Menzel. Does anyone know how long Maisel has been her publicist? That is huge...

[YouWantitWhen????]

Posted: 4/1/14 at 3:30pm

Looks like April is also going to be a good month for Menzel. Not too shabby:

"Variety’s Power of Women luncheon will make its New York City debut by honoring Claire Danes, Nancy Dubuc, Idina Menzel, Iman, Sarah Jessica Parker and Susan Sarandon on April 25 at Cipriani Midtown.

In partnership with A&E’s new television network, FYI, Variety is thrilled to bestow this group of the entertainment industry’s most philanthropic women with Variety’s Inspiration Impact Honorees.

The women are being recognized for their humanitarian efforts with their chosen causes. Oscar winner Sarandon works with Hope North, which works to educate and heal the youth of Uganda’s civil war. Golden Globe and Emmy winners Parker and Danes work with New York City Ballet and Afghan Hands, respectively. In 2010, Tony winner Menzel co-created A Broader Way, an arts centered program for urban girls. International super model Iman works with Dr. Hawa Abdi Foundation, which provides support and relief for women and children in Somalia while A+E Networks president and CEO Nancy Dubuc works with veterans group Project Rubicon / The Mission Continues.:
Claire Danes, Idina Menzel, Iman, Sarah Jessica Parker Among Variety’s Power of Women: New York Honorees

[fingerlakessinger]

Posted: 4/1/14 at 6:00pm

She really is a true class act. It's nice to see someone who started out on Broadway skyrocket to new heights in her career.

[veronicamae]

Posted: 4/1/14 at 8:28pm

My comments on this thread's recent posts:

1) Debut album came out in 1998; yes it tanked.
2) 2nd album (Here) was an indie EP; sold out its small pressing
3) 3rd album (I Stand) peaked at #58 on Billboard
4) 4th album (live) peaked at #53 on Billboard

RENT and Wicked are two of the best-selling cast albums of all time.

"I was watching an interview from opening night & noticed Cheryl Maisel was with Idina Menzel. Does anyone know how long Maisel has been her publicist? That is huge..."

Since approx 2011; Liz Rosenberg (Madonna's publicist) was her publicist when she was with Warner Bros. Records.

Absolutely none of this success has gone to her head. She's spoken to me candidly many times about recent explosion of success and she is beyond humble.

[Liza's Headband]

Posted: 4/1/14 at 10:36pm

"That's an even more remarkable feat...if we buy the premise that it's Frozen that's selling the tickets to If/Then."

Okay. Sure. I mean, I don't think you need to see one's face to know their name. Because of the song (which is part of "Frozen"), her voice AND name will be forever associated with the highest grossing animated film in history. So I do think millions more have come to know her name by way of the movie -- even though they can't see her face.

[YouWantitWhen????]

Posted: 4/1/14 at 11:10pm

I do find it somewhat amazing that Idina has a role in both of the top selling Broadway recordings on Amazon (If/Then is 1 and Wicked is 2) and the four top selling soundtracks (Frozen 1, If/Then 2, Frozen 3 and Wicked 4), and overall, If/Then is 18th.

Like I said earlier, I just hope she is having a blast with all of this. And, I look forward to recording her April 3rd appearance on the Today Show.





Updated On: 4/1/14 at 11:10 PM

[fingerlakessinger]

Posted: 4/1/14 at 11:29pm

Do we know what she is singing on the 3rd? I'm hoping "Starting Over" but I think that might be too spoilerish.

[veronicamae]

Posted: 4/2/14 at 12:14pm

"Do we know what she is singing on the 3rd? I'm hoping "Starting Over" but I think that might be too spoilerish."

We don't.

Maybe "Here I Go"? That's partly a duet, but she's sung it as a solo before (in the Kitt/Yorkey songbook showcase).

[veronicamae]

Posted: 4/2/14 at 10:47pm

Double-posting/bumping because Idina has commented on the debate we've been having:

“I just really hope that some of this attention that’s being paid to me, because of ‘Frozen’ and the Oscars, doesn’t detract from my complete love and admiration for this project and how good I think it is,” she says. “I know it can help with ticket sales, but I want people to really—I don’t know, there are naysayers out there who will assume we’re filling seats for a certain thing and, you know, it’s worthy of being successful for what it is.”
http://www.backstage.com/interview/idina-menzel-takes-worldwide-stage

Updated On: 4/2/14 at 10:47 PM