Idina Menzel to Return to Broadway in New Musical Redwood, 17-Year-Old Catherine Laga'aia Cast as Titular Character in Live Action Moana, Nicole Scherzinger to Perform 'In Memoriam' Segment at the Tony Awards

Idina Menzel returning to Broadway for the first time in a decade in new musical Redwood. Redwood is set to premiere at San Diego's La Jolla Playhouse in February 2025 before transferring to Broadway. Written and directed by Tina Landau, the musical will follow the story of a wife and mother on a journey of grief and how it leads her to find peace in the woods of Northern California. This will be Menzel's first Broadway appearance since she starred in If/Then from 2014 to 2015. Specific Broadway dates and further casting have yet to be announced. Disney finds their live-action Moana in 17-year-old newcomer Catherine Laga'aia. Laga'aia will star alongside Dwayne Johnson, who will reprise his role as Maui, in the live action version of the 2016 film. Other casting includes John Tui and Frankie Adams as Moana's parents, and Rena Owen as Moana's grandmother. Fans can expect a theatrical release for the film in July of 2026. Nicole Scherzinger to perform 'In Memoriam' at 2024 Tony Awards. Scherzinger is set to lead this year's annual 'in memoriam' segment, performing a song while honoring those impactful figures in the industry who have passed away over the last year. This year's award ceremony will also feature a special tribute to Chita Rivera, who passed away in January. Performers Audra McDonald, Brian Stokes Mitchell, and Bebe Neuwirth are set to lead Rivera's tribute. The Tony's will take place Sunday, June 16 at Lincoln Center's David H. Koch Theater, and can be viewed on CBS and Paramount+ starting at 8pm ET. In today's birthday news: Actor Malcolm McDowell turns 81, actor Stellan Skarsgård 73, actor/comedian Tim Allen 71, actress Ally Sheedy 62, Weezer frontman Rivers Cuomo 54, actor Ethan Embry 46, actor Chris Evans 43, actresses Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen 38, and actress Kat Dennings 38.