Idina Menzel's return to Broadway in Redwood showcases her unique talents, but the musical falters in its storytelling. In this new production at the Nederlander Theatre, Menzel portrays Jesse, a grieving art dealer seeking solace in the redwoods. While visually stunning, with Menzel climbing a giant tree structure, Jesse's character lacks depth, embodying a self-absorbed personality that audiences find hard to empathize with. The show, co-conceived by Menzel and directed by Tina Landau, skims over profound emotional themes in favor of sentimental narrative, leaving much to be desired.
Menzel's character Jesse escapes to the redwoods following her son's death, showcasing emotional pain but lacks relatability due to her self-absorbed actions.
Though visually striking, the musical Redwood struggles to delve into deeper themes, opting instead for familiar and sentimental storytelling.
Redwood marks Idina Menzel's return to Broadway, evoking nostalgia, as she once made her debut at the Nederlander Theatre in Rent.
Despite the striking visuals of Jesse’s ascent, the narrative fails to provide a compelling protagonist that audiences can genuinely root for.
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