‘Wicked’ star Idina Menzel returning to Broadway for ‘If/Then’

Idina Menzel, who originated the role of Elphaba on Broadway in Wicked, is set to return to Broadway in a new musical called If/Then.

Not only is this the first production for Menzel since Wicked, it is also the first since composer Tom Kitt and lyricist/book writer Brian Yorkey’s Next To Normal premiered in 2009. That production won a Tony for its score and a Pulitzer Prize.

According to The New York Times, If/Then will be produced by David Stone, who announced the production today. Stone revealed that it focuses on a strong female character named Elizabeth who is “complex, flawed, and surprising” and is trying to revive her career. The titles of two songs are “Here I Go” and “You Learn to Live Without.”

The Times notes that Menzel is set to perform at an American Songbook concert Friday, where she is expected to premiere the songs.

USA Today notes that Menzel said she is “thrilled” to “have finally found...an original musical with a complex, flawed and surprising central character that I cannot wait to bring to life onstage.”

Michael Greif, who directed Next To Normal, is set to direct. He also directed Menzel in the original production of Rent.

If/Then will have a pre-Broadway run at Washington’s National Theatre in November. Broadway previews will start on March 4, 2014 at a Nederlander theater. Opening night is set for March 27, 2014.