By Lisa DiCarlucci, Entertainment Editor
Last Saturday evening, the Tilles Center for the Performing Arts celebrated the beginning of their new season with a show stopping performance from Long Island born, Idina Menzel. Best known for her performances on Broadway in ‘Rent' and ‘Wicked,' Menzel came back to her home roots to sing and share stories.
Suprisingly enough, Menzel's anecdotes between songs proved to be just as entertaining as her musical performance. She was nothing short of hysterical telling stories of the first time she got drunk and the first boys she had crushes on (being sure to shout them out by name just in case they were in the audience). It was the personal touch that made the audience feel like they were with a friend (or neighbor in this case) as Menzel openly adjusted her bra and used swear words, even though her manager told her not to because she was "singing with the orchestra."
In typical fashion, Menzel's vocal performance was flawless, offering a range of showtunes and pop music. She began her set with "Life of the Party" from Andrew Lippa's "Wild Party" which was particularly fitting for the energy she brought to the entire show.
Other notable songs included "Embraceable You" from her former wedding singer repetoire and her rendition of "Poker Face," the Lady Gaga tune she sang with Lea Michelle on the hit show, "Glee." Menzel made sure to point out the ridiculous lyrics in "Poker Face," noting that before performing the song on "Glee" she had not realized what "bluffin' with my muffin" reffered to and she was sure to sing particularly slow during that line.
On a more serious note, Menzel also sang one original song called, "Gorgeous," which was sung in protest of gay prejudice.
No other song could have compared the her final encore performance of "Defying Gravity," a song made famous by Menzel in "Wicked." The notes she hit are the reason she has the reputation of excellence that she does and her belted notes lifted the audience to their feet in a well-deserved standing ovation.