Join us for a Conversation with Tony Award-Winner Idina Menzel along with her co-conceiver, book writer, director, co-lyricist Tina Landau and fellow cast members of Redwood the Musical. Moderated by BroadwayWorld's Richard Ridge, of "Backstage with Richard Ridge."
SAG-AFTRA Foundation and BroadwayWorld have partnered for a filmed Conversations Q&A series to recognize and celebrate the vibrant theatre community in New York City and the actors who aspire to have a career on the stage and screen.
Redwood is a transportive new musical about one woman’s journey into the precious and precarious world of the redwoods. Jesse (Menzel) seems to have it all — a successful career and devoted family — until a life-altering event drives her far from everyone and everything she knows. When she finds herself at the foot of the redwoods in Northern California, a chance encounter and a leap of faith will change her life forever. Redwood explores the lengths — and heights — one travels to find strength, resilience and healing.
IDINA MENZEL (Jesse/Co-Conceiver/ Additional Contributions) has won a Tony, Obie and Drama League Award for her work in the theatre. Broadway: Rent, Wicked, If/Then, Aida. Off-Broadway: Skintight (Roundabout), See What I Wanna See (The Public Theater), The Vagina Monologues (West Side Theatre), The Wild Party (MTC), Hair (Encores). Regional: Wicked (San Francisco), If/Then (Washington, D.C.). Menzel also premiered Wicked in the West End, receiving the Theatregoers Choice Award. Film: Frozen film franchise, Enchanted film franchise, Rent, Uncut Gems, You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah, Which Way to the Stage? (documentary), Cinderella, Ask the Dust. TV: “Beaches,” “Glee,” PBS special “Barefoot at the Symphony” (accompanying live album). Idina prides herself on the importance of new musicals, creating original roles and promoting young composers. Thanks to the two amazing men in her life, her son Walker and husband Aaron, for their love and support. Thank you to the redwoods for their inspiring strength and resilience, and for their beautiful example of community and connection.
TINA LANDAU (Book/Co-Lyrics/Co-Conceiver/Direction) is a writer and director whose original works include the spring ’25 production of Floyd Collins (book/additional lyrics/direction) with Adam Guettel at Lincoln Center, The SpongeBob Musical (conceiver/director) and other pieces she’s written/directed including Ms. Blakk for President (with Tarell McCraney), Space, Beauty, Theatrical Essays, 1969, Stonewall: Night Variations and Dream True (with Ricky Ian Gordon). Other Broadway: Mother Play, Superior Donuts and Bells Are Ringing. Off-Broadway: Old Hats, Big Love, Iphigenia 2.0, A Civil War Christmas, Head of Passes, In the Red and Brown Water, Wig Out! Tina’s work has been recognized by the Tonys, Drama Desks, Drama League, Outer Critics, Lucille Lortel and more. She’s the co-author, with Anne Bogart, of The Viewpoints Book, and an ensemble member at Steppenwolf Theater in Chicago where she’s directed over 20 productions.
ZACHARY NOAH PISER he/him (Spencer) is a Hapa, Jewish actor based in NYC. Broadway: Dear Evan Hansen (Evan), KPOP (Brad, OBC), Wicked (Boq). Off-Broadway: See What I Wanna See (OOTB Theatrics), Sweeney Todd (Barrow Street Theatre, West End transfer). Film/TV: In Your Dreams (Netflix), Host of PBS’s “Camp TV” series, in addition to voicing feature films including Mean Girls and Snow White. Bay Area native, Northwestern grad.
MICHAEL PARK (Finn) Broadway credits include: Dear Evan Hansen (Grammy & Emmy Awards), Tuck Everlasting, Cat On A Hot Tin Roof, H2$, Little Me, Smokey Joe’s Cafe, Carousel. Off Broadway: Hello Again, Violet, Three Penny Opera, Burnt Part Boys. TV credits include: Netflix’s “Stranger Things” (SAG nom), “Mindhunter,” “House Of Cards,” “Tales Of The City,” “The Family,” “You,” “Dash & Lily,” “Saint X” (Hulu), “Lioness” (Paramount +), “The Time Traveler’s Wife” (HBO), “Hightown” (STARZ), “As The World Turns” (2 Emmy Awards), “Bull,” “Blue Bloods,” “The Good Wife” (CBS), “Law & Order,” “Black List,” Sound Of Music Live!, Peter Pan Live!, “FBI,” “Chicago PD” (NBC), “Gotham” (FOX). Thank you to everyone in my life that has supported me the last thirty years, especially my one and only, Laurie, and our incredible children, Christopher, Kathleen, and Annabelle. Without you nothing is possible. Shout out to Marnie Sparer at Power Entertainment Group, Brian Davidson and everyone at Innovative Artists, and of course my peeps at Actors Playground. Swing hard and look up!
KHAILA WILCOXON (Becca). I am elated to be joining the cast of Redwood. Recent credits: SIX, Hadestown, Ruben & Clay’s Christmas Special. As someone who believes in the power of storytelling to bridge communities and inspire change, this opportunity is deeply meaningful to me. Thank you God, my village, my parents, my love, my agents Marc and Dustin - this one’s for ya’ll! Young black artists, if the sun doesn’t ask permission to shine, neither should you! @thekhailawilcoxon
