Idina Menzel's performance with the LA Philharmonic on New Years Eve was nothing short of magical. She has a powerhouse of a voice with an amazing range and extensive songlist with selections that include everything from upbeat rock to Broadway showtunes to melancholy classics. Her singing is heartfelt and moving and her versatility as a performer really showed at Walt Disney Concert Hall. I was literally brought to tears by her beautiful rendering of Judy Collins' classic Both Sides Now and Jonathan Larson's No Day But Today from Rent.
I have been to many concerts at similarly sized venues, and have never once witnessed the level of interaction by a performer that Idina was able to bring to this large concert hall. She really connected with audience members in a personal and seamless manner. It often felt as though we were sitting in her living room - it feels very natural and not at all forced. She teased audience members who arrived late, was interested in hearing about everyone's New Years resolutions, and involved several people in the audience in Rent's Take Me or Leave Me. Idina is hysterically funny too.
It was a great venue acoustically for Idina to highlight her musical chops, but the orchestra seemed at times a bit out of synch with the arrangements. Idina's incomparable voice can definitely fill an entire music hall, or even several, and does not need a big orchestra to back her.
Taye Diggs, her husband, joined her on stage to sing and again at midnight to ring in the New Year. They make such an adorable couple - it was so sweet to see them on stage together and was one of the highlights of the show.
This is a timeless and beautiful performer who will be around a long time - no question that she defies gravity in Broadway circles but her mark on music extends far beyond that. She is a breath of fresh air in a music scene where artists often take a more cookie cutter approach than one based on originality. It was unforgettable evening and a perfect start to the New Year.
Walt Disney Concert Hall @
- Los Angeles @
, CA @
- 12/31/2012 @
Favorite moment: Both Sides Now; No Day But Today; Tribute to the late Marvin Hamlisch; Taye Diggs @
Setlist: Over the Rainbow, The Wizard and I, Both Sides Now, Take Me or Leave Me, For Good, Defying Gravity, No Day But Today, Both Sides Now, At the Ballet, What I Did for Love, Roxanne @
Opening act(s): None @