IDINA MENZEL INTERVIEW
BROADWAY'S
IDINA MENZEL PERFORMS WITH THE
MELBOURNE POPS ORCHESTRA INTERVIEW BY ELSPETH VELTEN Idina Menzel is killing it right now. Not only does her acting resume include Broadway sell-outs like Rent and Wicked and smash TV hit, Glee, but now her talent for song is bringing her around the world in celebration of her most recent album, Barefoot at the Symphony. Ahead of her June 30th show with the Melbourne Pops Orchestra, I was fortunate to speak with this consummate, international performer.
Tell me a little bit about your latest album, Barefoot at the Symphony. How does it feel to perform with such a large group of musicians? It’s a very thrilling feeling to be up there with such incredible symphonies. It took me a little while to find a balance between the theatricality I’m used to and the intimacy I want with the audience, but once I realised it was possible I totally let go and had a great time. Barefoot at the Symphony is sort of a take on that. At first, I was dressing for the elegance and formality of the evenings, throwing on the heels and the gown. Then I was travelling so much with my son,on airplanes with the stroller and the nappy bag and one night I had a show and I woke up and my back was killing me. I really didn’t feel like I could get on stage especially if I was wearing 3-inch heels. So, I said to myself, if I’m going to do the show tonight I just have to go out without my shoes on. I went out there and I ended up having this fantastic show. I just felt like myself, and it connected me to the whole experience.
magmedia.com.au
14
ride. It kept us really grounded and it taught us a lot about the business. What’s most important is our responsibility to the writer to communicate his music and words. That’s the first and foremost thing, not what job you’re going to get next.
So, how did it feel to go directly from working weddings during university to being a Broadway star in Rent? Being nominated for a TONY for your first professional job must have been surreal. It was an incredible experience -surreal and bittersweet. Our composer Jonathan Larson passed away on the night of our dress rehearsal, so it was a whole different type of experience for a bunch of young people being taken on an amazing
Later you played Elphaba in Wicked in New York City and then took the role to the West End in London. What were some differences you saw between Broadway and the West End? Not much to be honest. Everyone always was preparing me for differences but it was just as warm, receptive and enthusiastic as it was in New York. The greatest difference was me. I felt more confident and I’d proven myself so I could actually relax and enjoy myself more when I was in London.
And, of course, Glee, what it was like to guest star repeatedly on the show as Rachel’s biological mother. How did you find working with such young and talented stars? You know, I loved working with all of those talented people but to be honest when I first got the call I had just had a baby so it was a hectic time in my life. Once again, those things in life come up that just keep you balanced. But I love what the show means to people and I love how it’s changing the scope of how kids feel about themselves. I’m glad to be a part of it.
I’ve visited Australia one other time, but this will be my first time performing in Melbourne. I have a few friends there, but also, I’m just doing some sight-seeing and exploring the country through my son’s eyes. It’s different when you travel with kids.
It’s been announced that your next project is If/ Then. Can you tell me anything about that?
Any hints on what you might perform in Melbourne?
I’m so excited about this project. It’s been several years since I’ve been back on Broadway. I’ve been searching for the right thing; I really want to be a part of something fresh and new again. It’s what’s worked for me and it’s what I find is the most rewarding process. My colleagues had this little seed of an idea and it’s starting to emerge as something that I think people really respond to. It’s just about a woman my age getting to start over, leaving a marriage and coming back to New York City and sort of exploring how chance and choice intermingle with each other to affect our lives. The music is beautiful; it’s very contemporary and modern.
Oh, yeah! I get so tired of myself so I change things around all the time. I’ll probably do something from Barefoot at the Symphony, but then I’ll try to arrange a couple of new things just for Melbourne. I always do some of the songs people would expect from the Broadway shows I’ve been in and I do some standards and pop and rock but I’ll probably try to bring out something new or very old that I haven’t done in a long time as well. I’m really excited because Melbourne is the cultural centre of Australia and I feel really grateful to be welcomed into that community. I want so much to put on a great show and make a connection with everyone there.
Is this tour your first time visiting Australia? Is there anything in particular that you’re looking forward to when you get here?
So we can expect some surprises? Yeah I think so...at least some happy mistakes. That’s for sure!
IDINA MENZEL WITH THE MELBOURNE POPS ORCHESTRA WHEN: Sunday 30th June, 2013 WHERE: Hamer Hall, Arts Centre Melbourne TICKETS: From $95 BOOKINGS: 1300 182 183