By, Jennifer Lipman
1 min read
ByJennifer Lipman, Jennifer Lipman
Jewish Broadway favourite Idina Menzel is to star as a Barmitzvah singer in a new television series.
The actress, recently on screen as Rachel Berry’s estranged mother in Glee, is to start filming the as-yet untitled series next year, for it to air in autumn.
Ms Menzel will play a single mother and the show will look at her relationship with her daughter as well as her professional life as a waitress and part-time wedding singer.
The 39-year-old, who also appeared in the film Enchanted, was nominated for prestigious Tony awards for her performances in the original Broadway productions of both Rent and Wicked.
She was named Best Leading Actress in a Musical at the 2004 Tony awards for her portrayal of. the green-skinned witch Elphaba, a role which she resurrected for a few months in London’s West End.
The show will be written by Bob Kushell, who previously worked on The Simpsons and 1990s comedy 3rd Rock from the Sun.
Her new TV role should not be much of a stretch. Before achieving professional success, the real Ms Menzel paid the bills by performing at weddings and barmitzvahs.