Podcast Summary: MickeyJoTheatre - Redwood Review
Episode Details
- Title: Redwood starring Idina Menzel (Nederlander Theatre, Broadway) - ★★ REVIEW
- Host: MickeyJoTheatre (Mickey Jo)
- Release Date: April 21, 2025
Introduction
In this episode of MickeyJoTheatre, Mickey Jo delves into a critical review of the Broadway musical "Redwood," starring the renowned Tony Award winner Idina Menzel. Positioned at the Nederlander Theatre—the very venue where Menzel originally starred in Rent—"Redwood" marks her highly anticipated return to Broadway after a decade-long hiatus. Jo sets the stage for an in-depth analysis, comparing expectations set by Menzel's illustrious career with the realities of the new production.
Plot Overview
"Redwood" centers around Jesse, portrayed by Idina Menzel, a Jewish woman from Long Island who grapples with profound personal chaos and grief following the death of her young son, Spencer. Seeking solace, Jesse escapes New York and finds herself in a forest clearing among majestic redwood trees. There, she encounters two conservationist scientists conducting research.
Mickey Jo outlines the narrative arc as follows:
- Fleeing Chaos: Jesse is haunted by traumatic memories of her partner and son, driving her to escape into nature (00:08).
- Connection with Nature: She develops an emotional bond with a towering redwood tree, hoping to heal through this connection (00:15).
- Climbing the Tree: Jesse negotiates her way to climb the tree, believing that this physical and metaphorical ascent will help her confront and overcome her grief (00:35).
Notable Quote:
"It's Adina and it's trees. And it's not that I have anything against either of those things... it's ready to begin perform performances so that we could find out a little bit more about what this actually was beyond Idina Menzel and Treece come to find out that that's really all that it is." (00:03)
Performance and Acting
Menzel's portrayal of Jesse is both a highlight and a point of contention in Jo's review. While her vocal performance remains strong, Mickey Jo criticizes the character development and the reliance on Menzel's star power over substantive storytelling.
Key Points:
- Vocal Excellence: Menzel's powerful belting showcases her vocal prowess, reminiscent of her performances in Wicked and Frozen (00:50).
- Character Depth: Jesse is portrayed with limited depth, making it challenging for audiences to fully engage with her journey (01:20).
- Celebrity Influence: Jo suggests that Menzel's involvement may overshadow the narrative, leading to a production heavily centered around her persona rather than the story itself (04:00).
Notable Quote:
"If people are only at the Nederlander Theater because of Idina Menzel... the songs don't even matter. They just want to hear her sing loud noises." (12:30)
Music and Score
The musical score, composed by Kate Diaz with lyrics co-written by Diaz and director Tina Landau, receives a lukewarm response. Jo points out that the music lacks memorability and fails to elevate the narrative.
Key Points:
- Contemporary Sound: While the score aligns with modern musical trends, it doesn't offer the emotional or lyrical depth expected in a Broadway production (02:10).
- Lack of Memorable Songs: The music doesn't leave a lasting impression, which is a significant drawback for a musical aiming to resonate with audiences (03:05).
Notable Quote:
"The score is also wildly unmemorable... we just need a little more development there." (02:45)
Set and Production Design
Contrasting the shortcomings in narrative and music, "Redwood" shines in its visual and technical execution. The set design by Jason Ardazzoni West and video design by Hannah S. Kim create a breathtaking portrayal of a forest environment, enhanced by Scott Zielinski's stunning lighting design.
Key Points:
- Innovative Set Design: Utilizes video screens and dynamic lighting to simulate the grandeur of redwood forests, providing a visually immersive experience (07:30).
- Choreography and Movement: The vertical choreography, credited to Malicio Estrell and others, adds a unique physical dimension to the production, particularly during the tree-climbing sequences (09:15).
- Technical Execution: The portrayal of climbing and safety measures on stage is both visually impressive and technically adept, offering audiences novel theatrical elements (10:00).
Notable Quote:
"The video design work in particular that has been done here is just breathtaking... the beautiful imagery when we see the forest by daylight for the first time. It's gorgeous." (08:10)
Character Analysis and Development
Beyond Jesse, the supporting characters lack substantial development. Mickey Jo critiques the secondary roles as one-dimensional, failing to enrich the main narrative or provide meaningful subplots.
Key Points:
- Supporting Characters: Characters like Finn and Becca are introduced with minimal depth, serving more as plot devices than fully realized individuals (05:45).
- Narrative Focus: The story remains too tightly focused on Jesse's personal journey, neglecting opportunities to explore broader themes or interpersonal dynamics (06:30).
- Emotional Resonance: Without deeper character interactions, the emotional stakes feel superficial, limiting the audience's ability to connect with the narrative (07:00).
Notable Quote:
"We are only able to glimpse the exterior and the hard outer shell that they've created in order to protect themselves." (15:30)
Criticisms and Shortcomings
Mickey Jo outlines several critical weaknesses in "Redwood," emphasizing the lack of a compelling narrative and memorable musical components.
Key Criticisms:
- Weak Storyline: The musical hinges on a singular plot point that doesn't develop sufficiently to sustain audience engagement (05:00).
- Insufficient Subplots: Absence of secondary storylines or character arcs limits the depth and complexity of the production (10:45).
- Overreliance on Visuals: While visually stunning, the show sacrifices narrative substance and lyrical depth for spectacle (11:30).
- Duration and Pacing: At one hour and fifty-nine minutes without an intermission, the pacing feels relentless and leaves audiences with little respite (14:20).
Notable Quote:
"We need a little more development there. We need other characters. We need a sense of subplot." (02:50)
Highlights and Positives
Despite its flaws, "Redwood" delivers memorable moments that showcase its creative ambitions.
Key Highlights:
- Tree-Climbing Sequence: The climactic ascent up the redwood tree is both visually and emotionally impactful, serving as the show's centerpiece (13:00).
- Technical Mastery: The integration of choreography with technical elements like video screens and lighting enhances the overall theatrical experience (09:50).
- Visual Aesthetics: The scenic and lighting design effectively create a majestic and immersive forest environment, offering audiences a visually captivating spectacle (07:00).
Notable Quote:
"The best and most impactful and most striking moment of the show is when they climb this tree... that's pretty visually staggering and exciting." (11:00)
Conclusion
Mickey Jo concludes that "Redwood" is a perplexing addition to the Broadway landscape, primarily due to its underdeveloped narrative and reliance on Idina Menzel's star power. While the production excels in visual and technical execution, it falls short in delivering a compelling story and memorable musical elements. Jo suggests that theatergoers primarily drawn by Menzel's presence may find satisfaction in her performance alone, but the show as a whole ranks among the season's more disappointing offerings.
Final Thoughts:
"If you want to hear Idina Menzel make those impressive noises while climbing an actual tree on stage... but I do believe... that it ranks as one of this season's more puzzling disappointments." (20:00)
Mickey Jo invites listeners to share their opinions and encourages them to experience the show themselves to form their own judgments.
Engagement and Call to Action
Throughout the episode, Mickey Jo emphasizes the importance of audience interaction, urging listeners and viewers to share their thoughts on "Redwood" in the comments section and to subscribe to his YouTube channel or follow him on podcast platforms for future reviews and theater discussions.
Closing Quote:
"Have a stagey day. Subscribe." (20:30)
Summary
In summary, Mickey Jo's review of "Redwood" presents a balanced critique highlighting the production's technical brilliance and Idina Menzel's stellar performance against a backdrop of a weak narrative and underdeveloped characters. While the visual and auditory elements offer moments of awe, the overall experience leaves much to be desired in terms of storytelling and emotional engagement.