My last show of this Broadway visit and the second show of this last Saturday in America. The show in question is “Redwood” the new broadway musical staring the one and only Broadway legend Idina Menzal. This perticular show is had its opening night a few weeks ago on the 13th February 2025. The show has a book by Tina Landau with music by Kate Diaz and lyrics by Kate Diaz and Tina Landau and directed by Tina Landau. So between the two of them they really did do everything. The show is a straight through no interval production lasting around one hour and fifty minutes starting at 8pm on this Saturday at the Nederlander Theatre.
As I took my seat in the second row of the centre mezzanine I really was surprised how close it felt to the stage. Reviewing the ticketing site again there is a note which states that it is an immersive experience in which the mezzanine features the best view of the stagings full scale and scope. And they were not wrong, the full stage length screens wrapped round to the same level of the mezzanine seating. As shown the in the view from my seat image, I had to I take it in a wide angle else shot to grasp the full scale. You can even see how much the staging is protruding the original stage front. The wrap around effective of the screens really make you feel you are in the stage.
The book for this show and therefore the story was very and surprisingly basic. The story itself did not really progress at all throughout the nearly two hours of the show. This is very unlike any show especially a musical. Due to this lack of progression the synopsis of the show is very basic and does really tell you everything you need to know.
We meet Jesse (Idina Menzel) and her partner/wife Mel (DeAdre Aziza) who are struggling with the loss of Jesse adult son Spencer (Zachary Noah Piser). Jesse finds herself in the redwood forest where she meets scientists Finn (Michael Park) and Becca (Khalistan Wilcoxon). We then follow Jesse through a metaphorical journey of grief acceptance thanks to the large redwood tree “Stella”.
As mentioned before the above is pretty much the story will very little progression and not enough for me for it to be a really good musical or even play. Even the songs didn’t really have much point to them apart from the odd one, generally it seemed both the book and lyrics were just there to fill time and not really adding anything to the show or storyline.
On the other hand the theatrical experience which this show created was outstanding and some of the best I have ever seen on wither Broadway or the west end. The use of these huge screens along with projection made you feel you were in the scenes. At times almost too much and almost felt disorientating. I can only assume it is the same experience gained within the sphere at Vegas. An experience I personally am happy not to witness first hand. However due to the screen and projection use age there was no set as such as the screens and white stage were used to create the scenes. The only major set piece was the tree “Stella” itself which appeared from a the revolving centre screens. I feel like I have to name the tree Stella as the show was able to personify the stage piece of the tree so well it felt like the sixth character of the show. The whole theatrical experience was one of the best I have ever had on either side of the pond. An extra shot of the stage after the show had finished really highlights the screen and projection usage and also includes Sellla.
The only moving pieces of the stage were a small raising platform from the stage don’t which Jesse utilised as a seating platform. The other main moving piece was the tree platform in which most of the second half of the show is presented from. Apart from these two there was not much real life props. Apart from the climbing parfernally that was needed to climb Stella. This was one of the most impressive parts of the show as all three performers were at various times actual long climbing up and down the tree and the whole height of the stage.
Although the theatrical experience was amazing this was meant to be a musical, and for me it is were it fell short along with the lack of story. Although the vocal performance from all were amazing the songs enever really meant anything. Apart from one of the latter songs “Still” lead by Zachary Noah Piser. One of Idina Menzal songs “Great escape” can be found on YouTube linked below which highlighted her great talent, not that we needed to be convinced.
As mentioned before the vocals from all were amazing but for me the two standouts have to be obviously Idina but also Zachary.
Idina Menzel vocals were outstanding in this show as expected. However I did not feel like the book or lyrics really gave her an opportunity to show her true musical theatre acting talent. Just being in the same room room and peri ending her sing anything live for the first time was breathtaking. It is unbelievable how effortless her ability is. Her voice really was mind blowing and like nothing I have seen before, it is just a shame the book and lyrics did not give her much to dig her teeth into. Her natrual ability was highlighted when she has to belt being literally upside down and swinging around Stella the tree.
For me the other outstanding member of the cast was Zachary Noah Piser who played the dead son Spencer. His vocal ability was outstanding and the way he was able to portray the feeling in the song “Still” was really moving. He really is a true talent and one to watch for the future.
As mentioned early all the others cast vocals did not disappoint but for me these two where the most notable perofmrance of the production.
This has seemed like a shorter review than normal however there really was not that much going on apart from the amazing theatrical experience created by the screens and projection. There was little story and just had amazing vocals from all.
Overall I give this show 2 out of 5 stars as a musical and or play. However as a theatrical experience it is 5 out of 5. An experience like no other from the mezzanine seats, with amazing vocals from all especially Idina and Zachary however a lack of story progression hindered the show.
A SPURDLE reviews 