Redwood, a new, original musical starring Tony Award-winner and multi-hyphenate performer Idina Menzel, will premiere on Broadway next year at a theater-to-be-announced, producers Eva Price, Caroline Kaplan and Loudmouth Media announced today. Written and directed by Tony Award nominee Tina Landau, with music by Kate Diaz, and lyrics by Landau and Diaz, Redwood is conceived by Landau and Menzel, with additional contributions by Menzel.
Reviewing its sold-out world premiere engagement earlier this year at La Jolla Playhouse, the San Diego Union-Tribune called Redwood “intimate, unique and breathtaking. It feels like the American Musical of tomorrow.”
“I’m so thrilled to be returning to Broadway, and the fact that I get to do it with Redwood, a musical that means so much to me, makes it even more special,” Menzel said. “This show has lived in my bones for fifteen years, from the very first time Tina and I discussed working together. Finally getting to do it on Broadway is really a dream come true.”
Redwood is a transportive new musical about one woman’s journey into the precious and precarious world of the redwood forest. Jesse (Menzel) is a successful businesswoman, mother and wife who seems to have it all, but inside, her heart is broken. Finding herself at a turning point, Jesse leaves everyone and everything behind, gets in her car and drives… Thousands of miles later, she hits the majestic forests of Northern California, where a chance meeting and a leap of faith change her life forever. With its deeply personal story, refreshingly contemporary sound, and awe-inspiring design, Redwood explores the lengths –and heights– one travels to find strength, resilience and healing.
Redwood was Originally Developed and Produced by La Jolla Playhouse (Christopher Ashley, Artistic Director & Debby Buchholz, Managing Director). Additional cast and creative team members for the Broadway production of Redwood will be announced at a later date.
Menzel will launch a career-spanning North American tour this summer, which will give fans an opportunity to hear a few songs from Redwood ahead of the show’s Broadway premiere. To stay updated on the show’s journey to Broadway, visit redwoodmusical.com and follow @redwoodmusical on Instagram.