REDWOOD Previews

She’s found her great escape.

The wickedly talented, one and only Idina Menzel returns to Broadway in Redwood, starting its ascent tomorrow night (January 24) at the Nederlander Theatre. The new musical — which premiered early last year at La Jolla Playhouse — also features De’Adre Aziza, Khaila Wilcoxon, Michael Park, and Zachary Noah Piser. Redwood features music by Kate Diaz, lyrics by Diaz and Tina Landau, and a book and direction by Landau; opening night is February 13.

“Jesse seems to have it all — a successful career and devoted family — until a life-altering event drives her far from everyone and everything she knows. When she finds herself at the foot of the redwoods in Northern California, a chance encounter and a leap of faith will change her life forever. Redwood explores the lengths — and heights — one travels to find strength, resilience, and healing.”

Who’s up for a climb?

The show will offer $49 lottery tickets through Broadway Direct, and $44 in-person rush tickets.

Dave Matthews and Sara Bareilles are among the list of co-producers.

The always-busy ghostwriter Ken Cerniglia is billed as Dramaturg, and Tom Kitt is the music supervisor (but not the credited orchestrator).

Judging by the out of town word of mouth, this will be closed before the Tony's. Idina will still get a nomination just for being Idina though, so her fans can rest assured.

Sure, a show can change a lot from out of town. But in recent years the trend has been that shows change very little from out of town. Outsiders, Lempicka, Louis Armstrong. these shows stayed mostly the same, despite needing obvious work. i doubt the show will have the MAJOR changes it sounded like it needed between then and now.

Voter said: "Judging by the out of town word of mouth, this will be closed before the Tony's. Idina will still get a nomination just for being Idina though, so her fans can rest assured."

Uhhhhh. In a field this crowded, getting a “just because” nomination isn’t remotely close to a given. Not when Scherzinger and McDonald have two slots already booked, and the rest of the field potentially includes Helen J. Shen, Bernadette Peters, Lea Salonga, Natasha Hodgson, Jennifer Simard, Megan Hilty, Caroline Bowman, Robyn Hurder, Adrienne Warren, Jasmine Amy Rogers, and Natalia Venetia Belcon.

Idina coasting on what was originally a middling musical ain’t cutting the mustard

chrishuyen said: "Weren't people saying Lempicka changed for the worse from out of town? And hey, I guess it worked for Outsiders"

Lempicka made pretty significant changes to the book in each successive iteration -- FWIW, I think a lot of the cuts made for Broadway hurt the show.

I've heard good things about Redwood via friends who saw it in La Jolla. I'm going right after opening and am looking forward to it! I have medium expectations and an open mind.

EDSOSLO858 said: "BroadwayGirl107 said: "I mean…If/Then was kind of a big ole mess of a show and it lasted a year on Idina’s name. Presumably she’s an even bigger name now. Perhaps inflated ticket prices and a competitive season will shorten the run, but I’d be surprised if they can’t keep this show—which I’d imagine is much cheaper to run than If/Then’s larger cast—open through the Tonys and possibly the summer."

Jesse Green — of all people — loved IF/THEN (and so did I). Remember, he was writing for Vulture at the time, and his praise featured prominently in the musical'spull quotes."



Yes and I gather this show will attract exactly the same crowd (the show’s marketing feels like it’s selling exactly the same kind of show as If/Then), but add on all of the new fans Idina has gained, plus some additional publicity by association with the Wicked movie.

Voter said: "Sure, a show can change a lot from out of town. But in recent years the trend has been that shows change very little from out of town. Outsiders, Lempicka, Louis Armstrong. these shows stayed mostly the same, despite needing obvious work. i doubt the show will have the MAJOR changes it sounded like it needed between then and now."



Outsiders made a ton of changes even after previews, let alone La Jolla… and yeah it clearly did something right

> Presumably she’s an even bigger name now.

> but add on all of the new fans Idina has gained

Idina has a significant fan base, no question ... but what's the basis for thinking that base has grown since If/Then?

whatever2 said: ">Presumably she’s an even bigger name now.

>but add on all of the new fans Idina has gained

Idina has a significant fan base, no question ... but what's the basis for thinking that base has grown since If/Then?"



Honestly I suppose I was just thinking the combination of two Frozen movies has had a cumulative effect. Plus, If/Then was hardly the kind of show one could bring their Frozen-loving 4 year old too, but the little girls who loved Frozen are probably now teens who can watch something like Redwood. But…I guess it’s possibly they also could have outgrown their interest.



Also, admittedly, in my purely anecdotal experience I’m surprised how many non theater folks seem to know who she is now, and how the sentiment of her amongst theater fans has felt like it shifted a bit more positive overall.



I also agree with others that I think the Wicked movie is helping her by reigniting interest in the original Elphaba.

I guess we’ll see. I’d still be really surprised if If/Then could make it a year but this show couldn’t…unless Idina herself doesn't want to stick with it that long

I will be there tomorrow evening. As a big Idina Menzel fan who even unabashedly loved If/Then, I'm super excited!

EDSOSLO858 said: "When REDWOODplayed out of town, an artificial “tree” was set up in the lobby, and its “leaves” were hanging sticky notes where people wrote down messages, comments, well wishes, thoughts on the show, etc.

I wonder if they’ll recreate that at the Nederlander."

idk, but I remember Nederlander lobby space being TIGHT even without fake trees...