Idina Menzel

Idina Menzel (born Adena Mentzel on May 30, 1971 in Queens, New York) is a Jewish-American actress, singer and songwriter.

Related Topics:
May 30 - 1971 - Queens, New York - Jewish-American - Actress - Singer - Songwriter

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Menzel made her Broadway debut in 1996 as one of the original cast members in the late Jonathan Larson's Rent, receiving a Tony nomination for her portrayal of Maureen Johnson. She also earned a Drama Desk nomination for her performance as Kate in MTC?s The Wild Party. She originated the role of Dorothy in Summer of ?42 at Goodspeed Opera House in Connecticut, starred as Sheila in the Encores! Production of Hair and appeared on Broadway as Amneris in Aida. Most recently, she appeared on Broadway in the critically-acclaimed musical Wicked, for which she received her first Tony Award for Best Leading Actress in a Musical for her portrayal of Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West. She played the role from October 8, 2003 to January 9, 2005, after which actress Shoshana Bean replaced her. Her other off-Broadway credits include Rent and The Vagina Monologues. From October through November of 2005, she will be seen in the Public Theater's production of the Michael John LaChiusa musical, See What I Wanna See, which also features Marc Kudisch.

Related Topics:
Broadway - 1996 - Jonathan Larson - Rent - Tony - Drama Desk - The Wild Party - Goodspeed Opera House - Connecticut - Hair - Aida - Wicked - Tony Award for Best Leading Actress in a Musical - Elphaba - Wicked Witch of the West - October 8 - 2003 - January 9 - 2005 - Shoshana Bean - Off-Broadway - Rent - The Vagina Monologues - October - November - Public Theater - Michael John LaChiusa - Marc Kudisch

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In film, she has appeared in Summer of Sam, Just a Kiss, Kissing Jessica Stein, Tollbooth, and Water. She also made an appearance in the movie Camp in which Stephen Sondheim also made an cameo. Recently, she finished filming Ask the Dust, which is due in late 2005. She also reprised her role of "Maureen Johnson" in the film version of Rent, directed by Chris Columbus and featuring original cast members Taye Diggs, Wilson Jermaine Heredia, Adam Pascal and Anthony Rapp. The film began shooting in February of 2005 and will be released widely on November 23, 2005.

Related Topics:
Summer of Sam - Kissing Jessica Stein - Stephen Sondheim - 2005 - Rent - Chris Columbus - Taye Diggs - Wilson Jermaine Heredia - Adam Pascal - Anthony Rapp - February - November 23

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Menzel performed at the 1998 Lilith Fair summer concert festival, and continues to write and perform original music. She had her debut album, Still I Can?t Be Still, released on Hollywood Records in 1998. Her sophomore album, Here, was released by Zel Records in 2004. She recently signed a record deal with Warner Brothers Records and will begin recording when her run of See What I Wanna See is over.

Related Topics:
1998 - Lilith Fair - Hollywood Records - 2004 - Warner Brothers Records

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Menzel holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Drama from New York University's Tisch School of the Arts. She is married to fellow performer and Rent co-star Taye Diggs.

Related Topics:
Bachelor of Fine Arts - New York University - Tisch School of the Arts - Taye Diggs

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