Her name is Idina

IDINA Menzel is sassy, silly and sultry. Photo courtesy of PLDT

Idina Menzel is one exceptional singer. That much was apparent from the minute she emerged from behind the white curtains, and opened her recent concert in Manila with an emphatic performance of “Defying Gravity.” And as the night wore on, it became increasingly evident, too, that it wasn’t just her voice that could fill up an arena.

Her presence was just as strong. She was charismatic, silly and funny, making the show as engaging as it was impressive for the thousands who trooped to SM Mall of Asia Arena to watch her sing some of the most beloved Broadway pieces she popularized, and then some.

“I waited such a long time to come here … and I’ve finally made it,” said the American singer-actress, who first made a mark in the theater scene when she originated the role of Maureen in “Rent” (1996).

Later on, she won a Tony Award for playing Elphaba in “Wicked” (2003).

Sturdy, resonant

After ending “The Wizard and I” with a sturdy, resonant belt that had the fans erupting in cheers, Menzel’s gaze fell on the three empty seats at the front row—that made her “very uncomfortable.”

“Did they leave because they weren’t having a good time? Where are they?” she asked, drawing a round of laughs.

“Traffic,” someone shouted.

“Oh, does traffic really suck here? So should I just stall … and talk a little longer?” Menzel said, before coming up with a proposal of sorts: “Let’s just do the whole thing over. I’ll go behind the curtains once they’re here,” she said. “I’ve already made a couple of mistakes anyway.”

It was a joke, of course, but the audience surely wouldn’t mind if she were serious.

Menzel was sassy and playful amid the bombast of “Don’t Rain on My Parade,” and then reveled in a bit of pop rock in “I Stand.”

In the sultry mashup of “Love for Sale” and “Roxanne,” Menzel jestingly tousled her hair and caressed her arms to the slinking beats, before unleashing a sizzling vocal riff at the end.

As a tribute to one of her idols Ethel Merman, Menzel performed a medley of “There’s No Business Like Show Business,” “Anything Goes” and “Everything’s Coming Up Roses,” which showed off her hefty and brassy range, and had her twirling and pumping her fists with every crash of percussion.

After which, Menzel said she’s been trying to learn how to say “I love you” in Filipino, but lost her cheat sheet. And so she asked a concertgoer to jot it down—“phonetically,” she quipped.

“What’s your name?” Menzel asked the man. When he replied, “Dingdong,” the singer shot back: “Dingdong? Are you messing with me? But mahal kita, Dingdong!” It turned out to be the night’s running joke.

But her singing wasn’t all about power and searing notes. In a cover of Joni Mitchell’s “River,” Menzel kept things restrained, and let her softer, youthful timbre shine through.

At the background, a downsized ABS-CBN produced sweeping music that added a little whimsy.

While she’s grateful to have the opportunity to perform beautiful, uplifting songs like “Defying Gravity,” Menzel said it would be a lie if she said that was how she felt all time.

“Sometimes you wake up and you simply don’t feel that good about yourself … Sometimes you just feel like singing a Radiohead song,” related Menzel, who let out her angst as she belted out “Creep”… while lying down.

Meanwhile, Menzel hopped off the stage, waded through the audience and gave three talented fans, including Timmy Pavino of “The Voice of the Philippines” Season 2, the rare chance of singing “Take Me or Leave Me” with her. They sure could sing and the singer was so impressed that she invited them to join her onstage. As bonus, they got to take selfies with her.

Some of the night’s most poignant moments happened toward the end of the show, with Menzel paying tribute to “Rent” creator Jonathan Larson, who died the morning of the musical’s first preview performance. Menzel belted out “No Day But Today,” with the fans waving their phones in the air. “That’s beautiful … like I’m under the stars,” said Menzel, who took off her shoes because her feet were “killing” her.

Thanksgiving

TIMMY Pavino shares the stage with Idina Menzel. photo: Timmy Pavino’s Facebook

As her way of thanking the fans who were supportive even before she made a name for herself, Menzel performed “For Good”—without a mic, a cappella. Upon realizing what was happening, the crowd gasped and shrieked and then fell silent, the better to hear Menzel’s voice.

Menzel had been a fixture in theater for many years, before crossing over to the mainstream, when she was cast as Elsa in the Disney box-office hit, “Frozen.” The animated film’s theme “Let it Go” went on to become her first Top 10 hit on the Billboard 100 chart.

It was, undoubtedly, the night’s most awaited song, especially for the kids. Much to everyone’s surprise, Menzel sang portions of the song in Filipino: “Bumitaw, bumitaw / ’Di ko na maitatago,” she sang, trying her best to pronounce the words.

All the while, a giddy, young girl dressed as Elsa jumped and danced on the aisle.

“It’s been my dream to sing and make a living out of it. To come all the way across the world … and [meet] amazing [new] friends is beyond anything I could have ever imagined,” she said.

“Idina Menzel: Live in Manila” was presented by Pulp Live World and PLDT Home Fibr.