Great Film Composers
A one night spectacular with stage and screen star Idina Menzel and friends, featuring the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Concert Orchestra and including hits from Rent, Wicked, Glee, and the charts.
Tony Award winner Idina Menzel is a charismatic star of stage, film and television. In this special Friday Night Is Music Night, recorded at the Hackney Empire, she performs songs from throughout her career with the sixty piece ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Concert Orchestra under the baton of leading West End conductor Mike Dixon.
Idina received a Tony nomination for her Broadway debut performance as Maureen, in the original production of the Pulitzer Prize-winning hit RENT, which celebrates it's 20th anniversary this year. She went on to star in the West End premiere of 'WICKED' where she received the Theatregoers Choice Award for Best Actress in a Musical.
In film, Idina appeared opposite Susan Sarandon, Patrick Dempsey and Amy Adams in Disney's hit, ENCHANTED, directed by Kevin Lima, and prior to that, was seen in director Chris Columbus' film version of the Pulitzer and Tony Award winning musical RENT, in which she reprised her role as Maureen. Idina is also to be seen in the cult TV hit Glee ...
Tonight, in 'Idina Menzel and Friends', listeners will discover a unique entertainer. A powerhouse performer, by turns sassy, funny and heartfelt.
Programme first broadcast on Friday 26th April.
Last on
Broadway star Idina Menzel chats to Steve Wright
Steve Wright chats to Broadway superstar Idina Menzel about her special Radio 2 show.
Music Played
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³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Concert Orchestra C.B. Mike Dixon
Friday Night Is Music Night
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Idina Menzel/³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Concert Orchestra CB Mike Dixon
Somewhere
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Idina Menzel/³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Concert Orchestra CB Mike Dixon
Wizard and I
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Idina Menzel/³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Concert Orchestra CB Mike Dixon
Don't Rain on My Parade
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Idina Menzel/³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Concert Orchestra CB Mike Dixon
Both Sides Now
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Declan Bennett
Say It To Me Now
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Declan Bennett/³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Concert Orchestra CB Mike Dixon
Falling Slowly
Artist: Idina Menzel/³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Concert Orchestra CB Mike Dixon
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Idina Menzel/³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Concert Orchestra CB Mike Dixon
I Will Walk 500 Miles
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Idina Menzel/³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Concert Orchestra CB Mike Dixon
Love For Sale
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Idina Menzel/³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Concert Orchestra CB Mike Dixon
Roxanne
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Idina Menzel/³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Concert Orchestra CB Mike Dixon
Chorus Line Medley
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Idina Menzel/³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Concert Orchestra CB Mike Dixon
God Save My Soul
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Idina Menzel/³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Concert Orchestra CB Mike Dixon
Take Me or Leave Me
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Idina Menzel/³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Concert Orchestra CB Mike Dixon
Life of the Party
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Idina Menzel/³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Concert Orchestra CB Mike Dixon
I Stand
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Idina Menzel/³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Concert Orchestra CB Mike Dixon
Poker Face
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Elaine Paige/³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Concert Orchestra CB Mike Dixon
If You Love Me
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Elaine Paige/³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Concert Orchestra CB Mike Dixon
I Know Him So Well
Artist: Idina Menzel/³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Concert Orchestra CB Mike Dixon
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Idina Menzel/³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Concert Orchestra CB Mike Dixon
In Your Eyes
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Idina Menzel
For Good
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Idina Menzel/³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Concert Orchestra CB Mike Dixon
Defying Gravity
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Idina Menzel/³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Concert Orchestra CB Mike Dixon
No Day but Today
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³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Concert Orchestra C.B. Mike Dixon
Friday Night Is Music Night
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Idina Menzel/³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Concert Orchestra CB Mike Dixon
Somewhere
-
Idina Menzel/³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Concert Orchestra CB Mike Dixon
Wizard and I
-
Idina Menzel/³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Concert Orchestra CB Mike Dixon
Don't Rain on My Parade
-
Idina Menzel/³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Concert Orchestra CB Mike Dixon
Both Sides Now
-
Declan Bennett
Say It To Me Now
-
Declan Bennett/³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Concert Orchestra CB Mike Dixon
Falling Slowly
Artist: Idina Menzel/³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Concert Orchestra CB Mike Dixon
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Idina Menzel/³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Concert Orchestra CB Mike Dixon
I Will Walk 500 Miles
-
Idina Menzel/³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Concert Orchestra CB Mike Dixon
Love For Sale
-
Idina Menzel/³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Concert Orchestra CB Mike Dixon
Roxanne
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Idina Menzel/³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Concert Orchestra CB Mike Dixon
Chorus Line Medley
-
Idina Menzel/³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Concert Orchestra CB Mike Dixon
God Save My Soul
-
Idina Menzel/³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Concert Orchestra CB Mike Dixon
Take Me or Leave Me
-
Idina Menzel/³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Concert Orchestra CB Mike Dixon
Life of the Party
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Idina Menzel/³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Concert Orchestra CB Mike Dixon
I Stand
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Idina Menzel/³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Concert Orchestra CB Mike Dixon
Poker Face
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Elaine Paige/³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Concert Orchestra CB Mike Dixon
If You Love Me
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Elaine Paige/³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Concert Orchestra CB Mike Dixon
I Know Him So Well
Artist: Idina Menzel/³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Concert Orchestra CB Mike Dixon
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Idina Menzel/³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Concert Orchestra CB Mike Dixon
In Your Eyes
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Idina Menzel
For Good
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Idina Menzel/³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Concert Orchestra CB Mike Dixon
Defying Gravity
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Idina Menzel/³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Concert Orchestra CB Mike Dixon
No Day but Today
Idina Menzel - up close
An intimate portrait of the life and career of the Tony award winning singer and actress Idina Menzel - in her own words. From her early days in the Broadway musical Rent to starring in the West End production of Wicked, Idina's stellar rise is charted and celebrated.
An Insiders View by Musical Theatre Star Elaine Paige
The sound of the wonderful Idina Menzel rehearsing could be heard as soon as I walked through the stage door, I was so looking forward to seeing her again, but first I had to settle myself and get the proverbial cup of tea! Walking down the corridor towards my dressing room I passed a door with a sign taped to it that read ‘Don’t poo in this toilet!’ The glamour of showbiz, eh? It did make me chuckle.
After rehearsals with Idina – I won’t spoil it here by telling you what we sing, you’ll have to listen tonight – it was out for a quick bite to eat at a restaurant opposite, before the concert commenced. Plaice goujans and chips! Naughty, but delicious. As I sat eating I could see the crowds queuing to get in to the theatre and the excitement building.  Back in the theatre to prepare, everyone was getting ready to go on; musicians milling around all clutching different instruments, Mike Dixon the MD giving last minutes instructions, Anthony Cherry our Friday Night producer wishing everyone luck as Idina walked towards the stage.
Curtain up! And as the first notes reverberated through the theatre I could hear the roar of approval from the audience. Thrilling! This was going to be a special night.
Conductors' Corner
Mike’s Biog...
Mike Dixon graduated from Trinity College of Music in 1979 and since then has become one of the most experienced and respected musical forces in London’s West End and on British television. His work spans all genres of music as Musical Supervisor, Musical Director, Arranger and Composer......
Conductor Questionnaire
Q:Coronation Street or Eastenders?
A:Corrie
Q:Dunk or Crunch?
A:Dunk
Q:Favourite Interval tipple?
A:Pernod & water
Q:Sweet Or Sour?
A:Sweet
Q:Sondheim or Bernstein?
A:Bernstein
Q:Kaiser Chiefs or Khachaturian?
A:Kaiser Chiefs
Q:Favourite venue?
A:Wigmore Hall
Q:Favourite holidays destination?
A:North Cornwall
Q:Aria or showtunes?
A:Show tune
Q:Quill and Ink or Twitter?
A:Twitter
Interval Item - Idina Menzel Up Close and Personel
Broadcasts
- Fri 26 Apr 2013 20:00³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Radio 2
- Fri 28 Jun 2013 20:00³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Radio 2