Idina Menzel (born May 30, 1971) is a Tony Award-winning American actress, singer and songwriter who achieved fame for her performances as Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West, in the Tony award-winning musical Wicked and as Maureen Johnson in the Broadway and film versions of Rent.

Idina Menzel (born Idina Kim Mentzel) is an American actress, singer and songwriter. Born on May 30, 1971, she is originally from New York City, but grew up on Long Island. Idina knew from a very young age that singing was what she wanted to do, and in a curious foreshadowing, she played Dorothy in “The Wizard of Oz” as a child. She attended Syosset High School, followed by NYU, during which time she managed to get hired as lead singer for a wedding band by lying about her age. In 1995, she