Tony Award winner Idina Menzel returned to Toronto for the first time since 2008 last week for a very special concert at Koerner Hall. Ms. Menzel was joined by Tony and Oscar winning conductor Marvin Hamlisch and the Kitchener-Waterloo symphony orchestra, and the concert was filmed live for broadcast on PBS.
The concert was a huge hit with her fans in Toronto, selling out both nights. It featured a diverse set list including Broadway standards and hits from her Tony Award winning turn as Elphaba in Wicked and Tony Award nominated turn as Maureen in RENT, as well as some of her solo material and classics such as Tomorrow (from Annie) and The Way We Were . On Thursday night she was joined by husband (and Private Practice star) Taye Diggs, and the couple sang Where or When (replaced by Gorgeous on Friday night).
While the concert was spectacular, the aftermath was equally fascinating. Ms. Menzel is known for having a broad and devoted fanbase, which has only grown in light of her recent role as Shelby on Glee. Many of these fans waited inside Koerner Hall for well over an hour post-show in the hopes of getting an autograph or a picture with their favourite former 'green girl'. BWW was on hand to capture photographs and speak to the fans, and we are thrilled to bring you exclusive backstage photos as well. The fans raved about the concert and about Ms. Menzel, joyfully exclaiming things like "she remembered me!" It was inspiring to watch as Ms. Menzel patiently signed and spoke with almost everyone who waited. It's not often you see someone of her stature take that kind of time with the fans, and from what we observed, she may have truly changed them ‘for good.'
For more information on Idina Menzel's upcoming concerts, please visit her official website at www.idinamenzel.com or follow her on twitter @idinamenzel
The PBS special is tentatively scheduled to air in March of 2012.
All Photos by Racheal McCaig Photography
