Near the end of her
delightful concert at Jacobs Pavilion located in the Flats, multi-award winner
Idina Menzel told the story of how, when some South Africans meet, they look
directly at each other. One says, “I can
see you.” The other, after making solid
eye contact, repeats the phrase. Menzel,
demonstrated clearly, as the concert proceeded that she, in fact, was seeing
her audience, taking them in, and appreciating their presence. The audience vocally and with extended
applause responded by letting her know that they, too, could see her!
The concert, presented
with seven musicians and a back-up singer, all of whom did solos and were
recognized by the headliner, was presented before an ever-changing mélange of
electronic media which paralleled the song choices.
The talented songstress,
songwriter, Broadway, television and movie star, was relaxed and charming in
interacting with the audience, recognizing not only those in the high priced
seats who were up close and personal, but those seated in the bleachers.
She invited a young girl,
who was carrying an “I love you Idina” sign, on stage to get her poster autographed,
graciously accepted a pony-tail band from another child and asked her hair-dresser
on stage to redo her hairstyle so that he could braid some of the star’s hair and
added the jeweled stretchy, and also invited all the kids in attendance to come
onto the steps and the edge of the stage to individually and jointly sing “Let
It Go” from the hit film “Frozen.”
The concert not only
included songs from her newest album and old time favorites, but selections from
her Broadway shows “Rent” and “Wicked,” as well as “Don’t Rain on My
Parade” from “Funny Girl” and “Wind
Beneath My Wings” from “Beaches.”
Many talented stars
appear in the concert venues of CLE, but few have the warmth and authenticity
of Idina Menzel! This lady is a true “mench” (Yiddish for “a
true human being, a good person.”)
Menzel’s openness to the
audience, her kid-inclusiveness, courtesy to her joint performers and fine
singing voice, made for a fine evening of entertainment. Applause, applause!
