How Old Was Idina Menzel In Rent

So, I was recently watching Rent for the umpteenth time (yes, I'm one of those people who can sing every word to "Seasons of Love"), and it got me thinking, "How old was Idina Menzel when she played Elphaba in the original Broadway production?" I mean, she was already a powerhouse, but I was curious, you know?

Now, I could have just googled it, but where's the fun in that? I decided to do a little digging, and let me tell you, it's like trying to find out how many licks it takes to get to the center of a Tootsie Pop. You'd think it'd be easy, right? Wrong!

Back to the Beginning

Idina Menzel, born Idina Kim Mentzel (yes, she changed the spelling of her last name, but that's a story for another time), was born on May 30, 1971, in Syosset, New York. She's a Taurus, in case you're into that sort of thing. She started her career in the early 90s, but it was her role as Maureen Johnson in Rent that really put her on the map.

Now, Rent opened on Broadway on April 29, 1996. Menzel was part of the original cast, and she stayed with the show until she left in January 1997. So, let's do the math. Menzel was born in 1971, and Rent opened in 1996. She was 24 when she started playing Maureen, and 25 when she left the show.

But Wait, There's More!

You might be thinking, "Okay, that's all well and good, but what about when she played Elphaba in Wicked?" Well, hold onto your hats, folks. Wicked opened on Broadway on October 30, 2003. Menzel was 32 when she started playing the green-faced witch, and she stayed with the show until January 2005, when she was 33.

Now, I know what you're thinking. "Why did it take you so long to figure this out?" Well, I could make up some excuse about how I was busy saving the world or something, but the truth is, I was probably too busy singing "Defying Gravity" at the top of my lungs to do any real research.

So, What's the Point?

I guess the point is, Idina Menzel was in her mid-20s when she was playing Maureen in Rent, and in her early 30s when she was playing Elphaba in Wicked. But more importantly, she's a total boss, and if you haven't seen her in Rent or Wicked, you're missing out. Seriously, go watch them. Now.

And if you're still reading this, I have to ask, how old were you when you first saw Idina Menzel in Rent or Wicked? Let me know in the comments. I'm always up for a good musical theatre chat.