IF YOU GOWhat: Idina Menzel performanceWhere: Goldstein AuditoriumWhen: Tonight, 8 p.m.How Much: $5 with SU ID

Sammy Kanter’s job tonight is to follow around Idina Menzel. But first, the senior newspaper major agreed to lend Menzel the Persian rugs from his house.

Menzel, the Tony-award winning actress and singer best known for originating the roles of Elphaba in 2003’s ‘Wicked’ and Maureen in the stage and film versions of ‘Rent,’ will perform at Syracuse University tonight. Her 90-minute set begins at 8 p.m. in Goldstein Auditorium of the Schine Student Center, with doors opening at 7:15 p.m.

Jennifer Bevilacqua Kirkegaard, associate director of the Office of Student Life, said more than 1,000 tickets have been sold for the 1,500-seat auditorium.

Kanter, a member of the 10-person student advisory board for Pulse Performing Arts Series, introduced the idea to bring a Broadway performer last spring. Kirkegaard oversees the SU organization who aims to organize arts-related events in the community.

‘It’s definitely been a long process,’ Kirkegaard said. ‘From working with the agency, to getting the sound and lighting, to a small meet-and-greet.’

Menzel will perform songs from her January 2008 solo album, ‘I Stand,’ as well as some of her popular Broadway hits, Kirkegaard said. She’ll stay in Syracuse to speak at the 15th Annual Women of Distinction Awards Friday afternoon in the Schine Student Center.

Menzel’s Broadway debut came in January 1996 with her role in ‘Rent.’ That’s when she met her husband, actor Taye Diggs, who is a 1993 alumn of SU’s drama program. Diggs is not in town for the performance.

Menzel’s career continued with roles in ‘Hair,’ ‘Aida’ and ‘The Vagina Monologues.’ She’s also starred in films, including 2005’s movie version of ‘Rent’ and the 2007 fairytale story ‘Enchanted.’

‘I’m thrilled. I think that it’s a great opportunity to be able to bring her to SU,’ Kanter said. ‘Beyond theater people, many people know who she is. She’s pretty big for a Broadway performer.’

Kanter first watched Menzel perform when he saw ‘Wicked’ on Broadway, and he said he shed a few tears when she sang ‘Defying Gravity’ at the end of the first act. He’s been mesmerized by her ever since.

Menzel appeals to the college generation because students will recognize her voice from movies and soundtracks, Kanter said. He said in his four years at SU, he hasn’t seen any Pulse series performer with as big of a name as Menzel’s.

‘She has this incredible powerhouse voice. The way she can belt out these notes are incredible,’ Kanter said. ‘She’ll blow people away.’

Kevin Hirst, a sophomore television, radio and film and marketing major on the Pulse advisory board, said he was ecstatic when he found out Menzel would be performing at SU. He’s seen ‘Wicked’ three times, but never with Menzel as part of the cast.

‘The songs she sings, especially on her album, she puts so much passion into her music,’ Hirst said. ‘And I really love that about her as a performer. I’m constantly amazed.’

Tickets for the show are available at the Schine Box Office. They cost $5 for students with an SU ID, $15 for faculty, staff, alumni and Pulse partners, and $20 for the general public.

shmelike@syr.edu

Published on March 18, 2009 at 12:00 pm