Tony-winning "Wicked" actress Idina Menzel performed at the February 13 world premiere of her new musical "Redwood," which will run through March 31 in the Sheila and Hughes Potiker Theatre.
Joining Menzel in the creative side and conceptualization of the production is Tony-nominated Tina Landau, who directed the musical, alongside co-writing the lyrics and penning the book.
About the Idina Menzel and Tina Landau's 'Redwood,' the Musical
Menzel, who portrayed the role of Jesse, was accompanied by Tony nominee De'Adre Aziza Mel, known from "Passing Strange;" Nkeki Ob-Melekwe as Becca, known from "Tina;" and Michael Park as Finn and Zachary Noah Piser as Spencer, both of whom are known from "Dear Evan Hansen."
Giovanny Diaz de Leon, Lance Arthur Smith, and Aja Simone Bailey also join the cast as understudies. Kate Diaz will be contributing music for the production, while also co-writing lyrics with Landau.
The musical is centered on the character-focused story surrounding Jesse, a high-profile businesswoman, wife, and very successful individual who seems to have everything.
However, after getting her heart broken, Jesse decides to leave everyone and everything behind and travels to the old and wise forests of Northern California. There, a chance meeting awaits her, with a promise to forever change her life.
Under Landau, the creative team is comprised of music supervisor Kimberly Grigsby, music director Haley Bennett, orchestrator/arranger Kate Diaz, scenic designer Jason Ardizzone-West, costume designer Toni-Leslie James, lighting designer Scott Zielinski, sound designer Jonathan Deans, and media designer Hana S. Kim.
Vertical movement and staging will be done by Melecio Estrella of BANDALOOP and casting, on the other hand, will be done by Patrick Goodwin and Jacole Kitchen from The Telsey Office of casting professionals. Lora K. Powell will act as stage manager alongside the assistance of Topaz Cooks.
For more information about the musical and its ticketing, click here.
