Idina Menzel: what is the appeal?

im just a casual observer - i have many friends who are "Menzelists." having seen her perform only once,(in bryant park a few weeks ago) i can only say that she has a really bohemian feel to her. shes strikes me exactly like maureen in rent, one of those jazz club performers. maybe people like that about her.

I can imagine some people's responses to this thread, but I'll go ahead and post my serious reply anyway...
She's not fake. She doesn't pretend to be someone she's not. She's very dedicated and works really hard (just look at how few times she's missed). She's really funny (just listen to Ars Nova). She has a certain stage presence. I can't really describe it, those are just some things that come to mind.

I personally believe that anyone who is consistently cold and unfriendly at the stage door doesn't deserve all that fan adoration. It's one thing to have a bad day, or be shy, it's another thing to treat fans like dirt.

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my take:
Whether she is performing in her own concerts or on a broadway stage she has talent, humor, stage presence, and just the ability to reel you into her stories, and make you feel like you actually know her. But it ahs already been said that she is great on stage.

As for offstage-she's a normal person and she, as we've heard, has days that she can be in a bad mood sometimes. However, what people always fail to realize, is that the only reason that stage door story seemed like a big deal (and the pen thing, which i still don't completely believe) is because they are the only few incidents that we have heard about at her many nights at the stage door. So for every time she runs off to get a pen, she could have 30 or more where she signs everything.

So her appeal: She is talented, down-to-earth, and real. She works hard to perform well onstage, but isn't too wrapped up with pleasing everyone, because it's an unrealistic goal. That's why she appeals to me as a performer and a person.

and now, i'm done with my 3rd grade essay on a person I admire and why.

thank you.
~m~

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"I personally believe that anyone who is consistently cold and unfriendly at the stage door doesn't deserve all that fan adoration. It's one thing to have a bad day, or be shy, it's another thing to treat fans like dirt. "

I agree. I know actors who are SINCERELY nice to people and really listen to what they have to say. (Of course that stops with the stalkers...but going on)

All this putting up excuses for Idina 'oh, she's SO real and not fake' kind of disgusts me. I've heard too many stories to completely excuse her behavior. Can there be a reason that we don't know about? Obviously. But to do that to young people and everything, that sickens me.

Updated On: 8/27/04 at 02:18 PM

I personally find the most entertaining part of all of this to be that the moment Idina's name is mentioned in a title, there are 4 bajillion replies within minutes. New Ideas for Idina's name: We can teach youngsters that if there is a fire they should scream "Idina Menzel" and everyone will come running...

some people like her, some don't. I don't understand what the big deal is. I like her, she's cool. I think we need to get over it and move on. People aren't going to change there opinions on her...love her or hate her, I don't think she cares.

I don't buy this story. I doubt Idina would do anything even remotely close to that. Of course, I wasn't there...it's true. But, the story being told seems to change over time, so I doubt it is authentic. This is how urban legends start. And while Idina is a legend, she is not urban...well, maybe she is kind of urban and kind of a legend, but she isn't an urban legend. She is real. =)

I don't know what her appeal is, but it definitely makes for some interesting and entertaining posts!!

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That big, giant, gaping mouth that allows her to belt like no other.

Dear Yankeefan007 - she didn't perform in Bryant Park a few weeks ago with the 'Wicked' cast - that was Eden Espinosa, her standby...

i dont know why people say shes mean.the 6 times i have met her she has been nice,but shy. i have met her before the show 2 times and she was nice then but in rush because she was late but did sign for everyone.and then after the show shes nice by taking pictures and signing for you. she doesnt talk to you but she smiles, she has to save her voice

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