Idina Menzel
The Tony award-winning performer, whose captivating pipes in the Oscar-winning song “Let It Go” made Frozen a global phenomenon, will begin the North American leg of her international concert tour at the Altria Theater on July 7. (Photo courtesy: Robin Wong)
After a Broadway run, a top holiday album and being honored as Breakthrough Artist of the Year at Billboard’s Women in Music awards, there is no loss of momentum for Idina Menzel. The Tony award-winning performer, whose captivating pipes in the Oscar-winning song “Let It Go” made Frozen a global phenomenon, will begin the North American leg of her international concert tour at the Altria Theater on July 7, after stops in Europe and Asia. Once the tour concludes in October, she’ll be back on the road with the Broadway musical If/Then. Menzel talked with us by phone in late May.
RM: Why was Richmond chosen for the first show on the North American leg of your tour?
Menzel: I’d love to say that it’s because it’s the best city in the entire world — which it might just be — but it’s probably because the dates worked out perfectly. I’m glad that it is [in Richmond] because I am a fan of that area. I find that the audiences are supportive and loving and very sophisticated and intelligent, and so it’s always a great place to learn about what you’re doing in your show.
RM: What can people expect at the show?
Menzel: They can expect to hear lots of the songs that they know from the shows that I’ve been in, but also they can expect some spontaneity. I like to change things up. I like for each city to feel like they have their own show.
RM: What are you most excited about on your first global tour?
Menzel: I’m going to bring my 5 1/2-year-old son, and I’m excited about showing him the world through music and opening his eyes and my own eyes, really, to places that we’ve never seen before, and getting to meet the fans all over the world and say, “Thank you.”
RM: What apprehensions do you have?
Menzel: My biggest inner battle and challenge with myself [is that] I’m a perfectionist. I want to be great, and when you’re doing this many shows and you’re a mom with a child on the road with you, being perfect is probably not what I should be aspiring to be. It’s not always about hitting the most perfect notes and the highest notes. It’s about connecting with your audience and connecting with the music.
RM: What else is on your horizon?
Menzel: I have a TV show in development, which I’m excited about. The Frozen 2 movie is going to get into the works. But mostly, I
am looking forward to down time with my son and spending quality time with him and my family and friends.
RM: Is there a song that you never get tired of singing?
Menzel: I don’t get tired of singing “Defying Gravity” or “Let It Go” or anything from Rent. These are songs that changed my life, and as I grow older and the song juxtaposes a new part of my life, I reflect on things differently. I think that is the nature of being a theater performer. You’re on stage eight times a week, and in order to stay fresh and vital, you are always looking for something new, a new discovery.
