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Idina Menzel

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BIO

Menzel is an American actress and singer. Particularly known for her work in musicals on Broadway, she has been nicknamed the "Queen of Broadway" for her commanding stage presence, powerful mezzo-soprano, and reputation as one of the most influential stage actors of her generation. Having achieved mainstream success across stage, screen, and music, her accolades include an American Music Award, a Billboard Music Award, a Daytime Emmy Award, and a Tony Award, as well as nominations for three Drama League Awards, and four Drama Desk Awards. In 2019, Menzel received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and was named a Disney Legend in 2022. She was the 2022 recipient of the National Medal of Arts. Menzel received a honorary doctorate from University of Pennsylvania in 2023.



Menzel rose to prominence as a stage actress in 1996, making her Broadway debut as Maureen Johnson in the rock musical Rent, which earned her a Tony Award nomination for Best Featured Actress in a Musical. In 2003, she originated the role of Elphaba in the musical Wicked on Broadway, for which she won the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical. The popularity of the show and her signature song "Defying Gravity" earned her a devoted musical theatre following. After leaving the show in 2005, she reprised the role in the musical's original West End production in 2006, becoming the highest-paid actress in West End theatre history. In 2014, Menzel returned to Broadway as Elizabeth Vaughan in the musical If/Then, for which she received a third Tony Award nomination.

Menzel began transitioning into film and television in the early 2000s. After reprising her Rent role in the musical's 2005 film adaptation, she was cast as Nancy Tremaine in Disney's musical fantasy film Enchanted (2007), eventually returning to the role in its 2022 sequel. She played recurring character Shelby Corcoran on the musical television series Glee from 2010 to 2013. Since 2013, Menzel has voiced Elsa in Disney's Frozen franchise, which includes two of the highest-grossing animated films of all-time. "Let It Go", a song she recorded for the first film, peaked at number five on the Billboard Hot 100, making her the first Tony Award-winning actor to earn a top-10 song on the chart, and cementing her status as a crossover musical artist. Menzel has since pursued supporting roles in larger film projects, including Uncut Gems (2019), Cinderella (2021), and You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah (2023).

As a recording artist and songwriter, Menzel has released seven studio albums, including I Stand (2008) and Holiday Wishes (2014); the latter peaked at number six on the Billboard 200, becoming her highest-charting studio album to-date.

She will return to Broadway in Redwood in 2025.

Photos

STAGE CREDITS

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2025
Jesse

[West End]
Original London Production, 2021
Elphaba

[Los Angeles]
Geffen Playhouse West Coast Premiere, 2019
Jodi Isaac

[Off-Broadway]
Roundabout Off-Broadway Premiere, 2018
Jodi Isaac

[US Tour]
First National Tour, 2015
Beth/Elizabeth

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2014
Elizabeth

[West End]
2012
Performer

[Broadway]
Reunion Concert, 2006
Maureen Johnson

[Off-Broadway]
Original Off-Broadway Production, 2005
An Actress

The Wife

Kesa

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2003
Elphaba

[San Francisco (Regional)]
World Premiere, 2003
Elphaba

[Broadway]
Actors' Fund Concert, 2002
Fanny Brice

[New York]
Workshop, 2002
Elphaba

[New York]
Reading, 2001
Elphaba

[Off-Broadway]
Encores! Concert, 2001
Sheila

[Chester, CT (Regional)]
World Premiere, 2000
Dorothy

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2000
Amneris [Replacement]

[Off-Broadway]
Original Off-Broadway Production, 2000
Kate

Kate

[Off-Broadway]
Original Off-Broadway Production, 1999
Performer [Replacement]

[Broadway]
Broadway Transfer, 1996
Maureen Johnson

[Off-Broadway]
Original Off-Broadway Production, 1996
Maureen Johnson

Maureen Johnson

Writing

Additional Contributions
Conceived by

Movies

Kissing Jessica Stein
[ 2001 ] Bridesmaid
Water
[ 2004 ] Jessy Turner
The Tollbooth
[ 2004 ] Raquel Cohen-Flaxman
Rent
[ 2005 ] Maureen Johnson
Ask the Dust
[ 2006 ] Vera Rivkin
Enchanted
[ 2007 ] Nancy Tremaine
Frozen
[ 2013 ] Elsa
Ralph Breaks the Internet
[ 2018 ] Elsa
Uncut Gems
[ 2019 ] Dinah Ratner
Frozen II
[ 2019 ] Elsa
Josh Groban Bridges Live from Madison Square Garden
[ 2019 ] Self
Cinderella
[ 2021 ] Vivian
American Murderer
[ 2022 ] Melanie
Disenchanted
[ 2022 ] Nancy Tremaine

TV Shows

Hercules
Circe
Rescue Me
Carol
Kevin Hill
Francine Prescott
Private Practice
Lisa King
Wonder Pets!
The Queen of Hearts
Glee
[ 2010-2013 ] Shelby Corcoran
Lego Frozen Northern Lights
Elsa
Beaches
CC Bloom
Rent: Live
The Original Broadway Cast

Awards and Nominations


winner
Drama League Awards - 2018 - Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theatre

Idina Menzel


winner
BroadwayWorld Awards - 2014 - Best Leading Actress in a Musical

Idina Menzel, If/Then

Drama Desk Awards - 2014 - Outstanding Actress in a Musical

Idina Menzel, If/Then

Drama League Awards - 2014 - Distinguished Performance Award

Idina Menzel, If/Then

Tony Awards - 2014 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical

Idina Menzel, If/Then


winner
BroadwayWorld Awards - 2004 - Best Leading Actress in a Musical

Idina Menzel, Wicked

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2004 - Outstanding Actress in a Musical

Idina Menzel , Wicked


winner
Tony Awards - 2004 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical

Idina Menzel, Wicked


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 2003 - Outstanding Actress - Musical

Idina Menzel, Wicked

Tony Awards - 1996 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical

Idina Menzel, Rent

Videos

News


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Idina Menzel and More Will Receive National Medal of Arts

Idina Menzel and more will receive a National Medal of Arts during a ceremony today, October 21. Among the other recipients are Eva Longoria, Missy Elliott, Spike Lee, Steven Spielberg, Queen Latifah, and more.
Idina Menzel Joins Dial-A-Thon in Support of Kamala Harris

Broadway for Harris has announced additional stars for its two mobilization events taking place today, Monday, October 14th.  Star of stage and screen Idina Menzel has joined the lineup for Kamala Dial-A-Thon, a virtual phone bank from 12-6pm ET.
CELLOVOCI Releases Debut Album HAPPY DAYS

CELLOVOCI, featuring BRANDEN & JAMES and EFFIE PASSERO, released their debut album 'THE PRAYER' today. The trio will perform at Carnegie Hall on October 17, showcasing their classical-crossover style.
Kelli O'Hara Joins The Seth Rudetsky Concert Series at Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts

Producer Mark Cortale’s Broadway concert series hosted by Sirius XM radio star Seth Rudetsky returns to Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts this month. The internationally acclaimed series will present Tony Award winner Kelli O’Hara performing on Saturday, October 19th at 8:00 PM.
The Theatre Community Mourns the Loss of Gavin Creel

As BroadwayWorld reported earlier today, Broadway has suffered a terrible loss today with the death of Gavin Creel, who lost a battle with cancer at the age of 48. The Broadway community, Creel's friends and co-stars, have been sharing tributes to his life and legacy. 
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In a new cover story, Wicked stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo revealed that they heavily leaned on one another while filming the two-part film, opting to communicate well and lead with love during their time on set.
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Anya-Taylor Joy Names Elsa from FROZEN as Dream Disney Role: 'I Would Love to Do a Musical'

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Idina Menzel been in?

Idina Menzel has appeared on Broadway in 7 shows.

How many West End shows has Idina Menzel been in?

Idina Menzel has appeared on London's West End in 2 shows.

What was Idina Menzel's first West End show?

Idina Menzel's first West End show was Idina Menzel Live in Concert which opened in 2012

What awards has Idina Menzel been nominated for?

Idina Menzel has received several nominations for her outstanding performances in musical theatre. These include: Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theatre (Drama League Awards), Best Leading Actress in a Musical (BroadwayWorld Awards) for If/Then, Outstanding Actress in a Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for If/Then, Distinguished Performance Award (Drama League Awards) for If/Then, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical (Tony Awards) for If/Then, Best Leading Actress in a Musical (BroadwayWorld Awards) for Wicked, Outstanding Actress in a Musical (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Wicked, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical (Tony Awards) for Wicked, Outstanding Actress - Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for Wicked, and Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical (Tony Awards) for Rent.

What awards has Idina Menzel won?

Idina Menzel has received several prestigious awards, including the Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theatre from the Drama League Awards. She won the Best Leading Actress in a Musical at the BroadwayWorld Awards for both If/Then and Wicked. Additionally, she was honored with the Tony Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical for her role in Wicked. Menzel also received the Outstanding Actress in a Musical award from the Drama Desk Awards for her performance in Wicked.

How many shows has Idina Menzel written?

Idina Menzel has written 1 shows including Redwood (Additional Contributions).

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