Idina Menzel Has 'Frozen' Reunions as Kristen Bell and Josh Gad Visit 'Redwood' on Broadway (Exclusive Details)
The cold didn't bother Kristen Bell and Josh Gad this weekend, as the two actors braved the winter weather in New York City to visit their former Frozen costar Idina Menzel in her new Broadway musical.
Photographer Bruce Glikas captured the sweet reunions backstage at the Nederlander Theatre, the stars each hugging Menzel and sharing their congratulations with the Tony Award winner.
"It was nothing but love," a source tells PEOPLE of the visits. "Idina was so happy to see them and they were praising her on how much they enjoyed her performance. You could see they really love each other."
Sadly, Bell and Gad came on different days. He was there for the matinee on Saturday, Feb. 15, while Bell attended the evening performance on Sunday, Feb. 16.
Related: The Cast of Frozen: Where Are They Now?
While all three didn't have a group get-together, they'll all be stepping back into their Frozen roles for the upcoming third and fourth installments of the franchise. Bell and Menzel voice sisters Anna and Elsa, respectively, while Gad is the voice of Olaf, their childhood snowman brought to life by Elsa's magic.
Fans first met the characters when Frozen premiered in 2013. A sequel, Frozen II, was released in 2019.
Not much is known about the plots of Frozen 3 and Frozen 4, though Jennifer Lee, who wrote and directed the first two, will be back again. The third film is set to be released on Nov. 24, 2027.
"I've heard a little bit and I can tell you guys, it's pretty mind-blowing what's coming," Gad teased of the film on The View back in November 2023. "It's pretty exciting."
Related: Josh Gad Explains Why Frozen 3 Won't Be Released Until 2027: 'No One Wants to Rush This'
Related: Idina Menzel Reaches New Heights — and Defies Gravity — in Touching Broadway Musical Redwood
Menzel doesn't just star in Redwood — which opened on Feb. 13. — but she also co-conceived it with director Tina Landau. Landau penned the musical's book and lyrics while newcomer Kate Diaz composed the music.
In the musical, Menzel plays Jesse, a grief-stricken mother who flees to the forest after the death of her son. Connecting with the redwood trees helps her confront her trauma and eventually, begin to heal.
A slew of standouts star alongside Menzel, like Tony Award nominee De'Adre Aziza (Passing Strange), Emmy winner Michael Park (Dear Evan Hansen), Zachary Noah Piser (Dear Evan Hansen), and Khaila Wilcoxon (Six). The cast also includes Daniel Brackett (Aladdin), Bradley Dean (The Last Ship), Veronica Otim (& Juliet) and Jessica Phillips (Dear Evan Hansen).
But perhaps the most awe-inspiring characters in Redwood are the trees themselves, displayed on LED screens that wrap the theater. The set design by Jason Ardizzone-West and Hana S. Kim's projections transport audiences to Northern California. Adding to the rich experience is the moody lighting by Scott Zielinski and the layered outdoor sounds crafted by Jonathan Dean.
Related: George Clooney, Denzel Washington, Sarah Snook and All the Celebrities Leading Broadway's Starriest Season Yet
Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Redwood marks Menzel's return to the boards for the first time since 2015's If/Then. She's also back in the Nederlander, where she made her Broadway debut in Rent nearly 30 years ago.
"Honestly, it's been very emotional, like a homecoming," Menzel told The New York Times in January.
Opening night proved to be another homecoming. The special evening brought out Menzel's original Rent costars Anthony Rapp, Wilson Jermaine Heredia and Fredi Walker. They all posed with Rent director Michael Greif on the red carpet.
Tickets for Redwood are now on sale.
Read the original article on People
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Buzz Feed
15 minutes ago
- Buzz Feed
Taylor Swift And Blake Lively Friendship Update In June
There's a new update on Taylor Swift and Blake Lively's friendship amidst Blake's ongoing legal woes with Justin Baldoni. In December, Blake sued Justin, her co-star and director on It Ends with Us, claiming he sexually harassed her on set. In addition to denying the claims, Justin launched a countersuit against Blake, alleging defamation, civil extortion, and false light invasion of privacy. Taylor was roped into the drama in May when Justin's legal team subpoenaed her, arguing that Blake had used "her megacelebrity friend to pressure [Justin]" into making changes on the film. A rep for Taylor immediately denied their claims. "Taylor Swift never set foot on the set of this movie," her spokesperson said. "She was not involved in any casting or creative decisions, she did not score the film, she never saw an edit or made any notes on the film, she did not even see It Ends With Us until weeks after its public release, and was traveling around the globe during 2023 and 2024 headlining the biggest tour in history." According to the rep, Taylor had only agreed to license her song "My Tears Ricochet" for use in the trailer and one scene. "Given that her involvement was licensing a song for the film, which 19 other artists also did, this document subpoena is designed to use Taylor Swift's name to draw public interest by creating tabloid clickbait instead of focusing on the facts of the case." Still, the drama continued when Justin's lawyers wrote a letter to a judge claiming that Blake had allegedly asked Taylor to delete their text messages and "that if Ms. Swift refused to do so, private text messages of a personal nature in Ms. Lively's possession would be released." Blake's lawyer called the claims "categorically false," and the next day, a judge struck the "improper" letter from the record. However, a source claimed that Blake and Taylor's friendship was still left "fractured" in the wake of it. "Their friendship has halted," a source purportedly close to Taylor told People last month. "Taylor wants no part in this drama," the source added, before clarifying it didn't mean they were "not no longer friends" — they were just "taking some space." Neither Taylor nor Blake addressed the report at the time, but now, almost a month on, a source has offered an update, telling People their friendship still "isn't the same." "[They] aren't as close and haven't been spending as much time together as they did in the past," the source said. However, they claimed Taylor and Blake are trying to get back "on good terms." I guess we'll see what happens. In the meantime, BuzzFeed has reached out to reps for Taylor, Blake, and Justin for comment on the latest report.
Yahoo
23 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Why Victoria Beckham Will Soon Become Lady Beckham
After 14 years of waiting, David Beckham is set to receive a knighthood from King Charles in the King's birthday honors list. As a result, the soccer legend's wife, Victoria, will be known as Lady Beckham going forward. Both Beckhams have long had an affinity for the royal family, attending both Prince William and Kate Middleton's royal wedding in 2011 and Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's royal wedding in his growing friendship with King Charles, David Beckham is set to receive a knighthood in the King's latest birthday honors list—thereby making David's wife, Victoria, Lady Beckham. After first being nominated for knighthood in 2011 (according to People), it seems it's all finally happening for the soccer legend. A lifelong royalist, this isn't David's first brush with British honors—as far back as 2003, he was awarded an OBE (Order of the British Empire). In being granted a knighthood by Charles, David will be awarded for his soccer career and his contribution to British society, according to the BBC. There have been hints of David's impending knighthood over the past year—David was named an ambassador to The King's Foundation in 2024; he and Victoria attended a dinner at Highgrove, the King's country home, back in February of this year; and just last month, he was heard telling the King and Queen Camilla thank you for his 50th birthday gift. 'I'm excited to be working with The King's Foundation and to have the opportunity to help raise awareness of the charity's work,' David said in a statement at the time of his appointment. 'I've always been keen to help young people to expand their horizons, and I'm particularly looking forward to supporting the Foundation's education programs and its efforts to ensure young people have greater access to nature.' David's appointment ends 'years of speculation about whether he would be knighted,' The Telegraph reported. In addition to their other numerous appearances supporting the royal family—including David queuing for hours along with the general public to pay his respects to Queen Elizabeth after her death in 2022—David and Victoria attended a state dinner at Buckingham Palace late last year, and Kate Middleton recently (and poignantly) wore a Victoria Beckham design to an event put on by the British Fashion Council. The Beckhams' royal connections are deep enough that they attended the royal weddings of both Prince William and Kate in 2011 and Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in 2018. During an interview at the World Economic Forum, David called himself a 'huge royalist' and said (via People), 'I always get emotional talking about anything that I do with our royal family, because I've always been a huge royalist. I was brought up in a household that adored and loved everything that came with the royal family.' Read the original article on InStyle
Yahoo
24 minutes ago
- Yahoo
'The Real Housewives of Potomac''s Nneka Ihim Welcomes First Baby with Husband: 'He's Changed Our Lives' (Exclusive)
Nneka Ihim is a new mom The Real Housewives of Potomac star reveals the news of her baby boy's arrival exclusively with PEOPLE, saying "the transition into motherhood has been amazing and pretty smooth" The Bravo star shares her bundle of joy with husband Dr. Ikenna IhimNneka Ihim is a mom! The Real Housewives of Potomac star and her husband, Dr. Ikenna Ihim, welcomed their first baby, son Noah Jidechi Ikeoha Ihim, on Wednesday, May 14, announcing the exciting news exclusively with PEOPLE. The little one entered the world weighing 7 lbs and 1.4 oz. The newly minted mom tells PEOPLE that for the first few weeks with her bundle of joy, she's "simply been in awe." "I just stare at him and think, 'Wow, this is the person that was kicking me in the ribs all those months,' " she jokes. "He's just so special. With all that I've been through and the two years it has taken us to get to this point." "I really just thank God for everything and I fully accept my journey and my struggle because if any of the prior IUIs [intrauterine insemination] worked or IVF [in vitro fertilization] embryo transfers worked, I wouldn't have this exact little boy, and he is worth it all," she adds. "He's changed our lives and those around us for the better, and we wouldn't have it any other way." Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. In January, the Bravo star revealed the bittersweet news of her pregnancy, saying that she lost baby Noah's twin sibling in utero. Despite the heartbreaking news, Nneka says that her transition into motherhood has been "amazing and pretty smooth." "I have been very blessed to have so much help, which has made everything easier," she tells PEOPLE. "My mom came to town a few days before my c-section, and she hasn't left my side since. Having her has truly made all the difference for me." Ikenna's mother died in 2019, but the reality star shares that if she were here, she knows she would be there to help her transition into motherhood. "Ikenna's mother passed away in 2019, otherwise, she certainly would have played a role in welcoming us into parenthood," she explains. "But her sisters, Ikenna's aunts, really stepped up and have made themselves available by frequently preparing meals and jumping in to care for Noah so some of the rest of us can have a break." is now available in the Apple App Store! Download it now for the most binge-worthy celeb content, exclusive video clips, astrology updates and more! While the new mom settles into motherhood with her little one, she's making sure to enjoy all of the moments in the newborn phase. "My favorite time of the day are his brief wake periods," she says. "At this stage, newborns sleep most of the day, but the few short moments I get per day where he innocently stares at me are the best." "I also love him just lying on my chest sleeping," she adds, before sharing the more challenging parts of motherhood. "The hardest times are changing his diaper. He really doesn't like the cold or that gust of air that hits once he's getting undressed, so he really cries a lot, but he also hates having a dirty diaper and cries loudly about that as well, so it's a lose-lose." Read the original article on People
