Curtain Call
She returns to the theater where she made her Broadway debut.
How would it feel to stop my life and be able to get completely away?
She explores this question isRedwood, which she co-conceivedwith writer-director Tina Landau more than six years ago.
But despiteRedwoods heavy overtones, Menzel is drawn to the joy and sarcastic humor of the show.
Just like in life, we use our humor to deflect, as a defense mechanism.
Everyone has their own way of dealing with loss.
There is no right way, she says.
Literally, they taught me how to climb redwoods.
But they also taught us the vernacular of how they move and dance among the leaves, she says.
They took meover a roofonto a wall without really giving me a lot of notice.
Redwoodalso returns Menzel to the Nederlander Theatre, where she made her 1996 Broadway debut as Maureen inRent.
This homecoming, timed withtheWickedfilm, has made her especially nostalgic.
She says, Which way to the stage?
as shes about to do her performance art piece.
I thought, Wow, this is cool.
Im in exactly the same place I was 30 years ago.
Below, Menzel opens up about herRedwoodpre-show routine, thoughtful gifts, and her dream escape.
I received an actual baby redwood tree I have to plant.
Tina Landau gave me this green shawl scarf that has a very muted redwood design on it.
On living her childhood dream:
The rehearsal room is like a sanctuary for me.
Does it bring lots of stress?
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
