Musical about life choices comes to Segerstrom
Let it go.
That’s what the writers of the Broadway show “If/Then” opted to do when they thought about past life choices while penning an original contemporary musical about the possibilities of tomorrow.
The new show by Tony Award- and Pulitzer Prize-winning “Next to Normal” writers Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey features Tony winner and Broadway star Idina Menzel, known for her roles in “Wicked” and the Disney film “Frozen.”
The musical, which opened Tuesday at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa and runs through Sunday afternoon, is about Elizabeth, a city planner, played by Menzel, who relocates to New York after her marriage ends. Her life plays out simultaneously along two storylines in which she faces the intersection of choice and chance.
The plot began when composer Kitt and playwright/lyricist Yorkey began thinking about similar themes of loss and choice in their rock musical “Next to Normal,” involving a mother who struggles with bipolar disorder and the effects her illness and the attempts to alleviate it have on her family.
“We thought about all the life choices we made along the way and we both found that idea to be tantalizing,” Yorkey said.
Yorkey, who was born in Omaha, Neb., said he grew up dreaming of becoming president of the United States. But after choosing to attend Columbia University in New York, he was opened to the varieties of lives people lived in New York City.
“I might be a very frustrated political consultant right now if I had not made that decision,” he said with a laugh.
The role of Elizabeth in “If/Then” was written specifically for Menzel, who has reprised her performance in seven cities on a national tour. Cast members LaChanze of “The Color Purple” and Anthony Rapp of “Rent” joined Menzel on the tour, which started in October in Denver.
The writers also composed a song specifically for Rapp.
The Costa Mesa dates are the last with Menzel. After that, the play will resume touring through August with a new starring cast.
“If/Then” has already had more than 400 performances on Broadway.
Yorkey said his intent is for theatergoers to reflect on their past decisions and to set personal goals.
“If audience members had a great evening and if they went home thinking about the paths and choices they made, that would be the ideal result,” he said. “That would be one of the greatest thrills.”
Yorkey recalled special moments throughout the production process, particularly when he watched the actors in rehearsal take something and make it their own.
It’s been a pleasure to work with Menzel, he said.
“She’s truly spectacular and one-of-a-kind,” Yorkey said. “It’s a dream to work with someone who is so gifted. She has every right to be a diva and yet she’s just the most generous and hard-working collaborator.”
Menzel told Playbill magazine last year that “If/Then” was art imitating life for her.
“Without going into my personal life too much, I’m definitely going through some major personal things and have to rethink all of the choices I’ve made and think about starting over. Sometimes it’s probably close to home,” she said.
Menzel earned a 2014 Tony nomination for Best Musical Actress for her dual role in “If/Then.”
Yorkey and Kitt have announced that they are at work on a Broadway musical adaptation of their first film, “Magic Mike.” They will be writing the songs for “Magic Mike, The Musical” and will collaborate again for a musical adaptation of the movie “Freaky Friday.”
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IF YOU GO
What: “If/Then”
When: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday and Friday, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday
Where: Segerstrom Center for the Arts, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa
Cost: Tickets start at $29
Information: (714) 556-2787 or scfta.org
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