Idina Menzel News

Special advance tickets for a selection of seats to the highly anticipated new Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey musical IF/THEN starring Idina Menzel are now up for grabs according to a new announcement.

Hottest Articles on BroadwayWorld.com from this weekend Sunday, November 24, 2013 - Sunday, November 24, 2013.

If/Then opens tonight in Washington, D.C. at The National Theatre and we're thrilled to present a first look at the first sizzling hot production photos from the brand-new, world premiere musical by the Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning creative team behind Next To Normal, Tom Kitt (music), Brian Yorkey (book and lyrics), Michael Greif (director) and Larry Keigwin (choeographer). Next stop = Broadway and we can't wait!

Brevard Symphony Orchestra (BSO) Music Director & Principal Conductor Christopher Confessore leads the BSO for the second subscription concert of the 2013-2014 season, In Good Company tonight, November 23, 2013 at 8:00pm at the King Center for the Performing Arts.

If/Then, the world premiere musical by the Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning creative team behind Next To Normal, Tom Kitt (music),Brian Yorkey (book and lyrics), and Michael Greif (director), opens tonight, November 24, at The National Theatre in Washington, D.C. before heading to Broadway.

THE TALK swings back into New York City for a week of holiday episodes, to be broadcast Monday, Dec. 9 -Friday, Dec. 13 (2:00-3:00 PM, ET/1:00-2:00 PM, PT/CT), on the CBS Television Network.

Voting is now underway for Chicago! We have a record number of votes in already, but if you haven't voted yet, click here to vote! If you have voted already, tell your friends.

James Franco, who was in Las Vegas last night, Nov. 20, for the film premiere of HOMEFRONT at Planet Hollywood Hotel and Casino, stopped by to check out the Strip's best show, ABSINTHE at Caesars Palace and even snapped a photo with the show's two hosts, The Gazillionaire and Penny Pibbets. Check out a photo of his visit to the left!

BroadwayWorld's Richard Ridge got to chat with Santino Fontana, who voices 'Hans', about how he was cast in the film, how his character fits into the plot, and more. Check out what he had to say about the process below!

El Capitan Theatre moviegoers will kick off holiday celebrations early with an exclusive advance engagement of Walt Disney Animation Studios' 'Frozen,' beginning five days before the film's nationwide release. El Capitan isfrozen over this holiday season, welcoming guests into a snow-covered wonderland-complete with ice-capped opera boxes and a flurry of snowflakes. 'Frozen' showings, which will run today, Nov. 22, 2013, to Jan. 5, 2014, will be preceded by ice carving performance artists on stage, as well as 'Frozen' characters Anna and Elsa in their first live-on-stage appearances.

Pop superstar and current X FACTOR judge Demi Lovato stopped by ABC's long-running talk show THE VIEW earlier this week and enacted a song from the highly anticipated Disney animated feature film musical FROZEN while also co-hosting on the show as part of a Disney theme week.

The 'American Masters' documentary 'Marvin Hamlisch: What He Did For Love' premieres Dec. 27 on PBS. Below, watch an exclusive trailer featuring musician-composer Hamlisch, Barbra Streisand, and others!

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Holiday perennials 'The Christmas Schooner,' 'Winter Pageant,' 'Christmas In Chicago' and more, plus 'The Best Christmas Pageant Ever,' 'Carrie' casting, Griffin's 'Bee,' two from Disney and NBC's 'The Sound Of Music!'

The old sayings, 'You've got to see it to believe it,' and 'You either get 'IT'or you don't,' are certainly sayings that could be (and probably are) applied to WICKED. With its 10th anniversary this year, and nine current productions performing around the globe, I must say I was completely surprised during intermission. A gentleman sitting in front of me struck up a conversation and nonchalantly stated he had bought the ticket on a whim while in town for business ~ with no clue what the show was about. He had no idea it was in reference to Wizard of Oz and had no anticipation. He was simply ready to enjoy a live theater production and that was what caught his eye online. Wow. The winner of more than 50 major awards including the Grammy Award and three Tony Awards, was unknown to this gentleman. Naturally, I reflected back to my first time of seeing it in Chicago, and the subsequent reviews of 'Wicked' I have written ~ each one a totally different experience and finding different aspects most notable. At my first experience, I was blown away ~ as almost everyone is. The second, I noticed the nods to the book, film and characters. At my third, I noticed, and wrote about, the symbolism transportation played ~ in this review (REVIEW: WICKED 2010). After seeing any show several times, the viewer naturally compares the actors and have those they feel most closely fit the bill, the ones they believe most talented, etc. This production stars Jennifer DiNoia as Elphaba and Hayley Podschun as Glinda. If you are a fan of Kristin Chenoweth and, frankly, who isn't? ~ then, you will absolutely adore Podschun. She practically radiates on stage during 'Popular,' drawing ecstatic applause from the engaged audience. Naturally, DiNoia's rendition of the power ballad won thunderous applause. It is definitely one of DiNoia's finer moments in the performance. Her other being the duet, 'What is this Feeling?' with Podschun as the two opposing witches realize how much they loathe each other. The main issue with anyone stepping into the sparkly shoes of Glinda or the work boots of Elphaba in the musical loosely based on Gregory Maguire's novel, is they are attempting to fill seriously talented footsteps. Even those who have not (gasp) seen the musical, have more than likely heard of the Broadway originators of the roles ~ Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel (read review of her solo performance here). And therein lies the problem. Can anyone ever make the role truly their own, while compared to the greats at every turn? Probably not. At least not for another 10 years. It would be equivalent to performing a role so well the audience forgets Judy Garland (The Wizard of Oz), Michael Crawford (Phantom of the Opera), or Johnny Depp (Pirates of the Caribbean). Whether a stage or screen production, some performers become the standard for all others after them. A tough act. With that said, it's like being in the top 10 percent of your graduating class. No, you aren't No. 1 or 2, but you're still in the top percentile. Nothing to be upset over. Bottom Line: Whether this is your first, or 15th time, Wicked is a must-see anytime it is in town. Performance Schedule There is no performance on Thanksgiving Day,Thursday, November 28. November 13-17: Wednesday & Thursday evenings at 7:30 pm, Thursday matinee at 2:00 pm, Friday and Saturday evenings at 8:00 pm, Saturday matinee at 2:00 pm, Sunday matinee at 1:00 pm and Sunday evening at 6:30 pm; November 19-24: Tuesday -Thursday evenings at 7:30 pm, Friday and Saturday evenings at 8:00 pm, Saturday matinee at 2:00 pm, Sunday matinee at 1:00 pm and Sunday evening at 6:30 pm; November 26 - December 1: Monday - Wednesday evenings at 7:30 pm, Friday at 2:00 pm and 8:00 pm, Saturday at 2:00 pm and 8:00 pm, and Sunday matinee at 1:00 pm. Click here for information on $25 ticket lottery for Wicked in Indianapolis. Images: provided by BroadwayAcrossAmerica.com; Joan Marcus Elizabeth J. Musgrave is a syndicated fine-living, travel, food, wine and spirits columnist, freelance writer and photographer, and performing arts and restaurant critic for Gotta Go. Read Infused, her spirits, wine & beer lifestyle column, at www.GottaGo.us and www.FoodDigital.com and catch her as Indy's Personal Lifestyle Adviser on Indy Style, WISH8 (CBS). Gotta Go is published on www.Gottago.us, www.BroadwayWorld.com, and in print. Follow her on Twitter @GottaGo, LinkedIn and Facebook.

Broadway superstar and GLEE standout Idina Menzel along with Broadway and Hollywood notable Kristen Bell lead the new Disney animated feature film FROZEN and a first listen to the complete central anthem for the character of Elsa, portrayed by Menzel is now available to hear in full.

Below, sneak a look at the Mickey Mouse short 'GET A HORSE', then catch the whole thing playing in theaters before Frozen beginning November 27th!

Disney's newest animated feature film FROZEN boasts not only one of the most Broadway-centric casts of any Disney film to date - encompassing Idina Menzel, Kristen Bell, Jonathan Groff, Josh Gad and Santino Fontana - but also a score by the man behind two of the biggest hits of the 21st century on Broadway, AVENUE Q and THE BOOK OF MORMON - the gifted composer/lyricist Bobby Lopez, who collaborates here with Kristen Anderson-Lopez, with a musical score provided by Chrisophe Beck. And, the talented troupe assembled extends beyond the songwriters to the directors, Chris Buck and Jennifer Lee, as well!

BroadwayWorld's Richard Ridge got to chat with Jonathan Groff, who voices Kristoff, about fulfilling his dream of being in a Disney movie, being a part of a new collaboration, and more. Check out what he had to say about the process below!