Idina Menzel comments on the closure of ‘Redwood’ following its absence from the 2025 Tony Awards nominations.
Idina Menzel’s much-anticipated Broadway return in the musical “Redwood” has come to an untimely conclusion, having been completely overlooked in the nominations for the 2025 Tony Awards. The production, which was directed by Tina Landau, tells the story of a middle-aged lesbian from Long Island embarking on a profound journey of healing amidst the majestic redwood forests of Northern California. Despite the show’s intriguing premise and a loyal fanbase, it received no nominations following the announcement made on Thursday.
Menzel, renowned for her remarkable performances in iconic productions such as “Wicked” and “Rent,” along with her unforgettable role in Disney’s “Frozen,” faced a challenging endeavor as “Redwood” struggled to resonate within the competitive landscape of Broadway. The musical will conclude its run at the Nederlander Theatre on May 18, 2025, after a total of 127 performances, which included 17 preview shows.
Producers Eva Price, Caroline Kaplan, and Loudmouth Media expressed their plans for the final performance shortly after the disheartening news regarding the Tony nominations. In a heartfelt response, Menzel described the project as the highlight of her career in a post on social media, expressing gratitude to the all-female creative team and the notable cast, which featured talents such as De’Adre Aziza, Michael Park, Zachary Noah Piser, and Khaila Wilcoxon. Menzel cherished her return to Broadway, particularly in the same venue where she made her professional debut.
The closure of “Redwood” also highlights a broader trend in this year’s Tony Awards, where several high-profile productions received no nominations. Among them was the star-studded revival of “Othello,” featuring Denzel Washington, which broke box office records yet failed to garner any recognition from the Tony Awards nominating committee. Similarly, notable performances by actors such as Jim Parsons and Kieran Culkin also went unrecognized.
The 78th Annual Tony Awards, hosted by Cynthia Erivo, will take place on June 8, 2025, broadcasting live on CBS and available for streaming on Paramount+. As Broadway continues to navigate the complexities of critical and commercial success, the stories of both “Redwood” and its esteemed cast close a chapter, raising questions about the future direction of musical theater.
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