Defying Gravity

Last night, Wes and I had the privilege of seeing Idina Menzel perform with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra in the Myerson Symphony Center.  I expected it to be good, but I had no idea how wonderful it would be.  The show was sold-out and the crowd was pumped for her.  Who knew Idina Menzel had so many fans in Dallas?  I don't think she did and she seemed a bit overwhelmed.  After Rent and Wicked and now Glee, I guess it's not a big surprise. 

But I'm getting ahead of myself.  The first thing you notice about her are the curves.  J.Lo has nothing on Idina.  She came out in a slinky black gown with a jeweled neckline with a lavaliere hanging far down the back, bouncing off a body part that nobody could miss.  I half expected her to break into Dance 10 Looks 3.  She is definitely not a skinny actress, yet for all her prominent orchestra and balcony, her stomach was completely flat.  I don't know how a woman sculpts a body like that.  Speaking of sculpted bodies, she mentioned her husband and described him as "really hot."  That's an understatement.  She had lots of fun banter including a description of performing Don't Rain on my Parade for Barbra Streisand.  Putting in a little plug for the upcoming Funny Girl revival maybe?  She also talked about Glee and performed Poker Face from the show.  The crowd ate it up.  "Bluffin' with my muffin" with the Dallas Symphony.  Incredible.  I think that line went over the heads of the blue-hair season subscribers, but the Gleeks and gays loved it. 

The high point came towards the end when she sang a few rainbow-oriented songs.  We had an idea what was coming, but then she surprised us all when she put down the mike, the orchestra fell silent and she sang For Good from Wicked a capella.  Let me repeat, she did this without a mike.  In this sold-out, magnificent symphony hall, there was no sound but her beautiful, natural voice.  Extraordinary.  When she finished everybody jumped to their feet and roared.  I've never experienced such applause.  Then she picked up the mike, the orchestra came back to life and she launched into Defying Gravity.  When she finished, the applause was deafening.  There's a reason why she won the Tony.

The Myerson was built for this sort of performance.  The acoustics are impeccable and this was the perfect marriage of artist and venue. 

We demanded two encores.  We simply would not go home.  The first she clearly planned for and she performed a soulful, touching arrangement of The Sun Will Come Out from Annie.  Just lovely.  The second encore was obviously unexpected but she rose to the challenge and performed George Gershwin's Embrace Me.  Flawless.

UPDATE:  She's on tour, so click here and see if she's coming to your city.  If she is, GO!