Idina Menzel, renowned for her Broadway musical abilities, became historic by originating the character of Elphaba in the extended run of the show Wicked. This musical production served as an exceptional platform for the American actress to exhibit her vocal prowess and delve into the intricacies of her character, creating a mesmerizing effect that captivated audiences and ignited interest in musical theater among a new wave of fans. In her own words, the Daytime Emmy winner recounts how she embraced the “wicked” and “witchy” aspects when securing this role defining moment, and it apparently involved the use of an F-word.
A Menzel fan account recently shared an Instagram video, with the actress recalling sing “Defying Gravity” for her Wicked callback. But singing the powerful song in the room wasn’t the same as practicing the beloved number at home. As she shared:
After entering, I started belting out tunes. I focused on perfecting that high note, reaching the part where you sing ♩You won’t bring me down♩. I sang beautifully throughout. However, when I reached ♩You won’t bring me!♩ (my voice cracked), and I suddenly lost control, shouting a strong expletive at the peak of my lungs!
It’s understandable that Idina Menzel’s use of an expletive during her audition wasn’t deliberate, given how challenging it can be to hit a high note perfectly after nailing it in practice. The song she was singing isn’t easy, as we know from her impressive performances in the Jonathan Larson musical Rent and her ongoing role in Frozen. This seems like a minor hiccup that even seasoned musical actresses might encounter.
A highly effective method for leaving a lasting impression on casting directors during an audition is to subtly portray aspects of the character you’re trying out for, while still remaining authentic. Idina Menzel exemplified this by embodying her character as “so wicked and enchanting” when she hit that powerful “Defying Gravity” note – demonstrating both the role and her unique self.
After casting a glance at the accompanist, implying “Please don’t interrupt or stop me now!”, I took a moment to compose myself, belted out “Me!” with conviction, and delivered it flawlessly. Apparently, Joe Mantello believed that performance showcased such a wicked and enchanting persona that I was offered the role as a result.
Without a doubt, there’s no other performer quite like Menzel to portray Elphaba. Her audition piece, “Defying Gravity,” perfectly showcases her immense talent and emotional depth, as seen in the stage production and film adaptation of Wicked. Through her performance, Elphaba emerges as a powerful figure standing against The Wizard, embodying the iconic “Wicked Witch” we’ve come to know. Given Menzel’s unyielding determination during the audition process, it seems almost destined that she was meant for the Shiz University student role. She even went on to win a Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical for her captivating portrayal of Elphaba in Wicked.
Due to Idina Menzel’s remarkable performance in the green costume and her pitch-perfect notes during Wicked, the gifted actress found even greater success in her career after the show. After trying her hand at movies, she reprised her Broadway debut role in the timeless musical Rent and provided the voice for Elsa in one of Disney’s finest princess films, Frozen. Her powerful singing of “Let It Go” in the animated film became a new anthem, much like “Defying Gravity,” for Disney and music enthusiasts alike. Currently, the Glee actress is returning to Broadway as the main character in the original musical Redwood, a story about a woman embarking on a journey of self-discovery within a redwood forest.
In my experience, when Idina Menzel showcased her “witchy” and captivating take on Elphaba during the Wicked audition, it underscored the significance of expressing a unique portrayal of a character while remaining true to oneself. This approach highlights your suitability for a project and demonstrates that you possess the ability to breathe life into a character. Moreover, she refused to let a single off-key note tarnish her entire performance in Enchanted – a testament to her professionalism and dedication to the role of Elphaba, as far as I’m concerned.
Don’t forget to catch Menzel’s latest musical, “Redwood,” as it premieres at Nederlander Theatre on February 13th. Also, be sure to add the upcoming 2024 movie release of “Wicked” to your list, currently playing in theaters now.
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2025-01-11 05:09