Jackie Burns taking over from Idina Menzel in IF/THEN U.S. tour

It has been announced that Jackie Burns will take over from Idina Menzel in the U.S. tour of IF/THEN. 

Burns - who has played Elphaba in Wicked on Broadway - was previously Menzel's stand by in IF/THEN's Broadway production.

Burns (Elizabeth), Tamyra Gray (Kate) and Matthew Hydzik (Josh) will join Anthony Rapp (Lucas) in the tour which continues until August 2016.

The cast also includes: Janine DiVita as Anne, Daren A. Herbert as Stephen and Marc de la Cruz as David as well as English Bernhardt, Charissa Bertels, Xavier Cano, Trey Ellett, Kyra Faith, Corey Greenan, Cliffton Hall, Deedee Magno Hall, Tyler McGee, Joseph Morales, Emily Rogers, and Alicia Taylor Tomasko.

Idina Menzel to star in If/Then's US Tour!

Following the conclusion of her 2015 world concert tour, it has been announced that Idina Menzel will reprise her Tony-nominated performance as Elizabeth in If/Then during selected dates of the show's upcoming 2015/16 U.S. Tour.

Menzel will appear as Elizabeth for the following engagements:

• Denver’s Buell Theatre (October 13-19)
• Seattle’s Paramount Theatre (November 3-8)
• San Francisco’s SHN Orpheum Theatre (November 10-December 6)
• Los Angeles’ Pantages Theatre (December 8-January 3)
• San Diego’s Civic Theatre (January 5-10)
• Tempe’s Gammage Auditorium (January 12-17)
• Costa Mesa’s Segerstrom Center for the Arts (January 19-24)

If/Then starring Idina Menzel announces Broadway closure

It has been announced that If/Then starring Idina Menzel will close on Broadway on 22nd March 2015. The musical, which opened on 5th March 2014, runs at the  Richard Rodgers Theatre.

Following If/Then's closure Menzel will prepare for her world tour which begins in Japan in June. Featuring music by Kitt and and a book and lyrics by Yorkey, If/Then tells the story of Elizabeth, a woman on the verge of turning 40 who returns to New York City to make a fresh start. 

Editor's Blog: Top 10 shows of 2014

2014 has been an incredibly diverse year for theatre. Producers have taken some risks and it's great that several off-West End productions managed to make it into the West End. In 2014 I went to the theatre 257 times and, out of everything I have seen (in the West End and on Broadway as well as in off-West End, regional and fringe theatres), below I have highlighted my top ten personal favourite shows...

10

Assassins

Menier Chocolate Factory

"I don't think I breathed once"

Photo Credit: Nobby Clark

Assassins is probably the most intense piece of theatre ever written and Jamie Lloyd's production at the Menier has set theatreland alight (it sold out shortly after opening). I don't think I breathed once for the entire hour and forty-five minutes. The ensemble cast - featuring the likes of Catherine Tate, Simon Lipkin and Aaron Tveit - are remarkably strong. I am still digesting the piece and am hugely looking forward to seeing it a second time next year (I ensured I bought a ticket before publishing my review).

Editor's Blog: Top 10 performances of 2014

2014 has been an incredible year for theatre. Established stars have reminded us why they are known as theatrical legends whilst some new faces have stepped into the limelight for the first time. After looking back at every single show I have seen this year (including West End, Broadway, off-West End, fringe and regional theatre), below I have highlighted ten performances which particularly stood out for me...

10

Angela Lansbury

Blithe Spirit

Gielgud Theatre

Photo Credit: Johan Persson

In March Angela Lansbury returned to the West End stage for the first time in over thirty years to reprise her role as Madame Arcati in Noel Coward's masterpiece, Blithe Spirit. She didn't hold back one bit, I have never seen a performance like it! A true legend, Lansbury received huge applause each time she entered and exited the stage - she was utterly sensational.

Watch Idina Menzel's new IF/THEN music video!

Another day... another Idina Menzel music video! Yesterday we brought you Menzel's music video for her Christmas single, 'Baby It's Cold Outside' featuring Michael Bublé. Today we bring you the music video for 'Always Starting Over' which is the star's big number in her current Broadway show IF/THEN. Check it out below!

IF/THEN, which opened on Broadway in March, reunites Tom Kitt (music), Brian Yorkey (book and lyrics), and Michael Greif (director) - the creative team behind Next to Normal. It is described as a "romantic and original new musical about how choice and chance collide and how we learn to love the fallout."

Idina Menzel duets with Michael Bublé on Christmas Album & confirms release date + track listing

It has been confirmed that Idina Menzel will release her Christmas album Christmas Wishes on Monday 3rd November 2014.

The album will feature Christmas classics such as 'Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas' and 'All I Want For Christmas Is You' as well as original songs including 'December Prayer' which she premiered at her Radio City Music Hall concert earlier this year.

The Broadway star duets with Michael Bublé on 'Baby It's Cold Outside'.

Idina Menzel is currently starring in If/Then on Broadway. She is best known for voicing Queen Elsa is Disney's Frozen which is the highest grossing animated movie of all-time and originating the role of Elphaba in the Broadway and West End productions of Wicked. She famously starred as Maureen in RENT on Broadway and later reprised her performance for the film adaptation. 

GOSSIP: Idina Menzel working on Christmas album?

Idina Menzel in If/Then

According to Broadway.com, Idina Menzel is working on a Christmas album. 

The star apparently revealed the news during her sold out solo concert at the Radio City Music Hall in New York which took place on 16th June.

She reportedly said the album will feature a mix of famous Christmas favourites and original songs. Menzel went on to perform one of the original tracks entitled 'December Prayer'.

“I know I’m Jewish,” she said as she introduced the new song, “but a lot of famous Jewish people have written Christmas songs, so I’m going to try and have a lot of their songs on the album.”

Broadway.com have pointed out some of the most famous Christmas songs written by  Jewish composers. The list includes: 'White Christmas' by Irving Berlin, 'I’ll Be Home for Christmas' by Buck Ram and Walter Kent and Sammy Cahn, and Julie Styne’s 'Let It Snow' and 'The Christmas Waltz'.

Disney's Frozen triumphs at the Oscars

Disney's animated musical movie Frozen triumphed at the 86th Academy Awards last night (Sun 2nd March). The film won Best Animated Feature and 'Let It Go' picked up Best Original Song. 

The film's soundtrack, which topped the US music charts, is composed by Robert Lopez (who won Tony awards for The Book of Mormon and Avenue Q) and his wife Kristen Anderson-Lopez. The film stars Broadway actors Idina Menzel, Josh Gad and Jonathan Groff. Menzel performed 'Let It Go' during the ceremony. The star's new Broadway show If/Then begins previews this week.

Idina Menzel to perform LET IT GO at the Oscars

Idina Menzel
Imeh Akpanudosen / 2013 WireImage

It has been announced that theatrical legend Idina Menzel will perform 'Let It Go' from Disney's Frozen at the Oscars on Sunday 2nd March 2014. 

'Let It Go' which is written by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez is nominated in the Original Song category alongside 'Happy' from Despicable Me 2, 'Ordinary Love' from Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom and 'The Moon Song' from Her.

The event will be hosted by Ellen DeGeneres.

Idina won a Tony Award for her performance as Elphaba in the original Broadway production of Wicked. She received a Tony nomination for her Broadway debut in Rent and earned a Drama Desk nomination for her performance in Manhattan Theater Club's off-Broadway musical The Wild Party.

Idina Menzel wants Wicked Movie role

Idina Menzel has revealed to Digital Spy that she would like to be a part of the movie adaptation of Wicked which is in development at Universal Pictures.

"If I could be a pat of it in some way that would be great," Menzel said. "But I already feel like I received, and continue to receive, the gifts from Wicked and how it affects audiences."

Universal Pictures chairman Adam Fogelson revealed last year that the Wicked movie was a high priority for the studio, despite not having been officially greenlit. 

Based on Gregory Maguire's novel, Wicked tells the incredible untold story of the Witches of Oz. Menzel was the first actress to play Elphaba on Broadway and in the West End.

Idina Menzel returning to Broadway for the first time since Wicked!

Idina Menzel will return to Broadway for the first time since winning the Tony Award for Wicked in an original Broadway musical called If/Then. The musical reunites Tom Kitt (music), Brian Yorkey (book and lyrics), and Michael Greif (director), the creative team behind the Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning musical, Next to Normal. If/Then is being produced by David Stone, who produced both Wicked and Next to Normal.

If/Then will have its world premiere in a pre-Broadway out-of-town engagement at the National Theatre in Washington, D.C., opening on Sunday 24th November 2013. The production will begin previews on Broadway on Tuesday 4th March 2014 and will officially open on Thursday 27th March 2014 at a Nederlander Theatre to be announced.