Redwood

 Redwood
Nederlander Theatre
April 22, 2025

Photo courtesy of Redwood

The Broadway production of Redwood is a mind-blowing experience.  The setting is established through breathtaking projections.  The audience is transported deep into a California redwood forest, surrounded by stars at night and greeted by the rising sun glimmering through the branches in the morning.  Hana S. Kim’s video design, Jason Ardizzone-West’s scenic design, and Scott Zielinski’s lighting skillfully merge as one, drawing the audience into a journey of the senses.  The cast is phenomenal, emotionally engaging the audience in their private beliefs and healing process.  The book, by Tina Landau, cuts right to the core of the issue, delivering a powerful impact that carries the story to a spectacular conclusion.

Jesse (played by Idina Menzel) is struggling through denial and grief caused by the loss of her son.  She is in therapy with her wife, Mel (played by De’Adre Aziza), but it's not helping.  As the one-year anniversary of her son's death approaches, Jesse takes off in her car and drives across the country.  She finds herself in the middle of a redwood forest.  She is greeted by two environmental scientists, Finn (played by Michael Park) and Becca (played by Khaila Wilcoxon).  Becca urges Jesse to leave so they can continue with their work, but Finn has a sympathetic ear.  He allows Jesse to climb a majestic redwood, where she remains for a number of days, facing what she has been running from for the past year.  

Khaila Wilcoxon & Idina Menzel
Photo courtesy of Redwood

Idina Menzel masterfully commands the stage in this role.  Her songs are potent.  Her voice is powerful.  Her character is flawed and searching.  She plays with humor and sarcasm when she needs to deflect her feelings, while delivering genuine moments of grief and revelation.  

The score, by Kate Diaz, is bold and fervent.  Most of the songs are passionately belted, but as the main character faces her fears, the tone shifts.  Zachary Noah Piser plays Jesse’s son, Spencer.  He delivers a heartfelt solo near the end of the show that quiets the noise in his mother’s head.  He is tender and direct, open and present.  The song beautifully conveys the message of the story, but it is Mr. Piser who makes it memorable. 

Photo courtesy of Redwood

This cast of five creates truthful characters with heart.  The material is rich, allowing the audience to get to know each of them.  Director Tina Landau weaves them together and focuses the action to culminate in a riveting conclusion.

Redwood is playing at the Nederlander Theatre.  Don’t miss it! 

Domenick Danza

Tuck Everlasting

Tuck Everlasting

Broadhurst Theatre

April 2, 2016

Photo courtesy of Tuck Everlasting

If you ever read Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt and thought it would make a great musical, you’ve got to see the Broadway production now in previews at the Broadhurst Theatre.  Composer Chris Miller, lyricist Nathan Tyson, and book writers, Claudia Shear and Tim Federle, exquisitely interpret this magical story for the Great White Way.  Director / Choreographer Casey Nicholaw invigorates the production with grace and panache.  The entire cast provides the heart and verve that entice and engage all your senses.

Eleven year old Winnie Foster (played by Sarah Charles Lewis) feels confined by the fence around her front yard and trapped in having to always be a “good girl.”  She escapes into the woods behind her house.  There she meets seventeen year old Jessie Foster (played by Andrew Keenan-Bolger).  He talks her into climbing to the top of the tallest tree in the forest, where Winnie gets a glimpse of her home from a new perspective.  Jessie tells Winnie his secret.  He and his family have not aged since they drank from a spring in the forest over one hundred years ago.  Neither of them knows the dangers that lie ahead when this secret gets out.

Andrew Keenan-Bolger & Sarah Charles Lewis
Photo courtesy of Tuck Everlasting

Sarah Charles Lewis is making her Broadway debut as Winnie Foster in this production.  She is warm-hearted, energetic and truly amazing.  Andrew Keenan-Bolger is adventurous and trusting as Jessie Foster.  Carolee Carmello and Michael Park play his parents, Mae and Angus Tuck.  Together they give authentic and grounded performances.  Their relationship deepens as they open their hearts to eleven year old Winnie Foster.  Robert Lenzi is strong and endearing as Jessie’s brother, Miles.  His character opens up with honesty and vulnerability in Act II, when he tells the story of his son and how having an everlasting life caused them to separate.  Michael Wartella is witty and charming as Hugo, the impeccable side kick to Fred Applegate’s steadfast Constable Joe.  One of the highlights of the show is Terrance Mann as the Man in the Yellow Suit.  He is funny, evil, and superb.

Terrance Mann as the Man in the Yellow Suit
Photo courtesy of Tuck Everlasting

The set, designed by Walt Spangler, and lighting, designed by Kenneth Posner, give the production the magic and whimsy it deserves.  The tree is most astounding.  As Winnie and Jessie climb up the stylistically designed trunk and walk out on its bridge-like branches, it fills the stage like a green fortress.  The costumes by Gregg Barnes are perfect for the characters, setting, and time period.  Casey Nicholaw’s direction is seamless, but it is his choreography that brings the show to life.  The dancing connects the story elements, enhances the emotion of each scene, creates an atmosphere of enchantment, and brings the story to a stunning conclusion.

Tuck Everlasting opens on April 26.  It is sure to be a hit, so get your tickets now!

Domenick Danza