"Idina Menzel: Which Way to the Stage?" on Disney+

"Idina Menzel: Which Way to the Stage?", is a new documentary that was released today on Disney+, focusing on her concert at MSG and career.

What are your thoughts for those who have seen it?

Updated On: 12/9/22 at 08:59 AM

Had no intention on watching this but your post prompted me to check out the trailer and now I’ll make time to watch it.  Very telling how when RENT happened for her she was riding that wave - record deal, enormous popularity, etc. Then she sold no records and her career just stalled then FROZEN changed it all up years later.  The fantasy is always far from the reality.  One day you’re the flavor of the month and your career is soaring then it fizzles and you go 10 plus years taking any job that pays.  The backstory on performer’s real lives are blurred by the momentary successes. You appear on an episode of a network sitcom as a neighbor and everyone thinks you now own a penthouse on Central Park West yet you took an Uber home after the taping and that job just paid that month’s rent. 

Again, you’d assume winning a Tony Award in a huge 2003 Broadway musical like WICKED would explode her career, but it didn’t whatsoever.  2013’s FROZEN is was brought her global attention and when her career ignited.  

Any other way to watch this besides Disney +?

BrodyFosse123 said: "Again, you’d assume winning a Tony Award in a huge 2003 Broadway musical like WICKED would explode her career, but it didn’t whatsoever. 2013’s FROZEN is was brought her global attention and when her career ignited. "


You really don’t think Wicked (which she won the Tony for) paved the way for Frozen?

Not to mention the Rent movie, touring the world, reprising her role role in London, shooting Enchanted.

Many would kill for just one of those career highlights.

TotallyEffed said: "BrodyFosse123 said: "Again, you’d assume winning a Tony Award in a huge 2003 Broadway musical like WICKED would explode her career, but it didn’t whatsoever. 2013’s FROZEN is was brought her global attention and when her career ignited. "


You really don’t think Wicked (which she won the Tony for) paved the way for Frozen?

Not to mention the Rent movie, touring the world, reprising her role role in London, shooting Enchanted.

Many would kill for just one of those career highlights."

Agreed. I would say Wicked was really what paved the way for her. She was the highest paid performer in West End history when she did her run for Wicked in London. She had a recurring role on Glee when it was still quite a popular TV show. She toured the world with her own music, performed at the White House, etc.

Frozen certainly made her even more of a household name, but to say that Wicked didn't spark her career "whatsoever" I think is quite an understatement.

Well, that sucks! 

I guess it's just perspective. In my mind, Idina had a fantastic career before Frozen and was a majorly beloved and popular theatre actress, but she had her own goals and expectations for herself that may have made her feel differently.

You’re only as hot as your last project and Idina huge dry spells especially after RENT. While yes she’s had an incredible career, it’s very hard for theatre actors to cross over. Being a working Broadway actor doesn’t pay as well as many think or get you the visibility you hope for. Tony’s don’t even help anymore.

I thought Idina was fire in RENT and then I listened to her CD and didn’t like it. I totally let go of her. Forgot she existed. Many people did. Her pop career never happened. She’s not a cookie cutter beauty that can get plugged into TV or film easily. She has worked hard for everything she has and always hustled. Her success is a result of perseverance. She could have easily faded away.

I have tremendous respect for her.