Menzel 'lets it go' for fans of all ages

Idina Menzel / Courtesy of Sena Music

By Kwon Ji-youn

Idina Menzel, the singer who rose to global stardom with the song “Let It Go” from the animated movie “Frozen,” started her first gig in Seoul uncertainly but ended explosively.

“Defying Gravity,” the “Wicked” staple and Menzel’s first song at the Olympic Hall of Olympic Park on Saturday afternoon, sired concerns that the American actress and singer, coming off a botched performance on ABC’s New Year’s Rockin Eve in January, wouldn’t deliver.

But just minutes of passion were enough to put a lid on all such worries. Menzel’s dynamic renderings of musical numbers through covers punctuated a colorful repertoire that included her third studio album’s second single “Brave” as well as concert standards like Cole Porter’s “Love for Sale,” from the musical “The New Yorkers.”

Queen Elsa from “Frozen”

Fringed by her own band and a partially Korean orchestra, she was a

t once sultry, sentimental and grungy. Especially memorable was her stirring rendition of “Creep,” by Radiohead, a performance that had her kneeling in response to an equally roused audience.

And that wasn’t all. A blonde Menzel kicked off her heels mid-concert, leveling herself with the audience to interact and mingle with them. She looked at ease as she chatted conversationally with her admirers, at times stepping down onto the floor to allow them turns at the microphone. It wasn’t a concert on a monumental scale, but Menzel’s excitement was as earnest as her audience was welcoming. She looked especially moved to hear some 1,000 fans sing “happy birthday” to her ― May 30 just happened to be Menzel’s birthday.

“Take Me or Leave Me” from “Rent” seemed to remind the 44-year-old of her debut stage with the Broadway musical back in 1996 ― she was 25 all over again as she strutted about the stage effortlessly.

After this particular performance, she spoke to the audience about her debut, and about American composer and playwright Jonathan Larson, who died unexpectedly on the morning of Rent’s first preview performance off Broadway.

“We need to live in the moment,” she said.

Without a doubt, the highlight of the afternoon came when Menzel belted out “Let It Go,” which won an Academy Award for Best Original Song and the Grammy Award for Best Song Written for Visual Media in 2015, to knowing hollers and squeals.

“Let It Go,” written by husband-and-wife songwriting team Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, is Menzel’s claim to fame here in Korea. Menzel voiced Queen Elsa in the Disney film “Frozen,” which became nothing short of a phenomenon last year, accumulating nearly $1.3 billion in worldwide box office revenue.

“Let It Go” peaked at number five on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, and sold 10.9 million copies in 2014, becoming the fifth best-selling song of that year and one of the best-selling singles of all time. Covers of “Let It Go” by local musicians including Sistar member Hyolyn and Son Seung-yeon (Sonnet Son) went viral on online video platforms.

Menzel on Saturday sang the chorus of “Let It Go” in Korean (read off her hand), thrilling fans who in one voice crooned along. Spotted in the audience were young girls in dresses made of floating light-blue material, resembling Queen Elsa’s gown in “Frozen.” These children climbed into their parents’ laps for a better look as “Let It Go” began, singing along in Korean and some, in English.

“My daughter is obsessed with Elsa, still!” said Yun Young-i, mother of two. “Because the concert began at three, we were able to bring our children, who love coming to Olympic Park. It was enjoyable for both children and adults.”

Menzel’s Seoul gig kicked off her world tour, which will travel to Japan, Europe, Ireland, the United Kingdom, the United States and Canada.

Menzel, who rose to prominence when she originated the role of Maureen Johnson for the feature film adaptation of “Rent” in 2005, is also known for her recurring role of Shelby Corcoran in the musical comedy-drama television series “Glee.”