Zachary Noah Piser and Idina Menzel in ‘Redwood.’ Photo Credit: Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman
Zachary Noah Piser chatted about starring in the Broadway show “Redwood,” and working with Idina Menzel.
Menzel co-conceived the musical with director, book writer, and co-lyricist Tina Landau. Kate Diaz wrote the music and co-wrote the lyrics. The musical is being performed at the Nederlander Theatre in Manhattan.
Margaret Mead once said: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” This quote applies to Zachary Noah Piser.
Background on ‘Redwood’
In “Redwood,” Tony winner Idina Menzel portrays Jesse, a woman who finds herself at a crossroads in a Northern California redwood forest after a life-altering event.
Following this traumatic event in her family life, Jesse finds healing while climbing a redwood tree.
Piser on being a part of ‘Redwood’
On being a part of “Redwood,” he remarked, “It has been such a dream! It is always so stressful for any new show to go into previews and get critics, but now that we are five weeks in, there are still a lot of new things that we are discovering, but it feels settling, nice, and I am at peace. I am grateful every single day that I get to come into this historic building.”
Working with Idina Menzel
On working with Broadway superstar Idina Menzel, Piser said, “Oh my God! Can you imagine? When I was approached with this material for this show a couple of years ago, all I knew was that Idina Menzel and Tina Landau were involved, and I heard the demo of this song that I sing, and I told them to ‘count me in!’ I didn’t know anything else about it. The material for this show is completely original.”
“Sometimes, I still can’t believe it that I am onstage with Idina Menzel eight nights a week at the Nederlander Theatre in New York. There is nobody else like Idina; she is singular,” he expressed.
“I am so grateful that our producers were brave to open this show in the winter, especially since winter is always a crazy time,” he admitted. “I love the theater and I love new works.”
Working with the cast of actors
Piser had great words about the entire cast, which includes Emmy winner Michael Park, Khaila Wilcoxon, and De’Adre Aziza. “This is the most wonderful cast,” he exclaimed.
Piser on Jessica Phillips
Piser also complimented Jessica Phillips, who is Menzel’s understudy. Ironically enough, Michael Park, Piser, and Phillips are all “Dear Evan Hansen” alums, and their dressing rooms are all on the same floor.
“We all just laugh about how all we do is shows about trees,” he said with a sweet laugh. “I love Jessica so much. We worked together at ‘Dear Evan Hansen’ because we overlapped there. I love Jessica to pieces.”
Daily motivations
On his daily motivations, Piser said with a sweet laugh, “I am motivated by food.”
“This is one of those shows that’s really special because you know that every single person in the audience has experienced loss or grief in some way whether it’s incredibly real or new or fresh or whether it’s familial, a pet, or a relationship,” he clarified.
“If I am ever feeling uninspired, this is a good reminder to say that someone out there might be needing to hear the things like there is no end to your grief because there is no end to your love,” he elaborated.
“That’s what always makes it feel fresh to me,” he noted. “Knowing that there is someone out there who is experiencing something whether big or small related to grief or loss.”
The digital age
On being an actor and artist in the digital age, Piser said, “I have a love and hate relationship with social media. When I was younger, I was scared by it and now I’ve reached a point where I use it for my own good and I use it in the way that I want to use it.”
“I never feel pressured to post anything. Sometimes, I can get sucked into my phone way too easily and so, there are times where I turn on ‘do not disturb’ and I go outside for a walk,” he elaborated.
Career-defining moments
Regarding his career-defining moments, he shared, “I’ve had a lot of defining moments in my career. The first one would be the first real show I ever did, which was a junior production of ‘Les Mis’ in high school. That showed me that doing this was a feeling I’ve never had before.”
“Also, every single show that I have been able to be a part of in the city, whether it’s Broadway or Off-Broadway, has defined me or changed me in a very crucial way. They have all been very integral in defining the artist that I am,” Piser acknowledged.
Superpower of choice
When asked about his superpower of choice, he responded, “I wish I could have Hermione Granger’s time-turner necklace. She can essentially be in multiple places at the same time. Being able to do a lot at once would be nice.”
Stage of his life
On the title of the current chapter of his life, he revealed, “Embracing fear because fear is a good thing.”
“Don’t just run away from a challenge, and don’t be scared of a transition or change. Embrace that,” he said.
Success
Regarding his definition of success, he stated, “Success has changed a lot. When I first came into the city, it was having someone say ‘they like me’ or getting a callback and getting into a room.”
“Success is about being deliberate with the shows that you are a part of and being really specific and strategic about things. I think my definition of success will change in three months, six months, and a year from now. You have to be willing to evolve with that question,” he elaborated.
Closing thoughts on ‘Redwood’
For fans and viewers, he remarked, “I would like people to come see ‘Redwood,’ and I would like them to take a breath.”
“For some people, they will have a desire to run to the forest, but some people won’t. For me, whenever I sit down and watch the show, I watch the visuals, I listen to the music, and I take a big, big breath,” he concluded.
To learn more about Zachary Noah Piser, follow him on Instagram.
For more information on the Broadway musical “Redwood,” check out its official homepage.
Read More: “Redwood” review.
Markos Papadatos
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