{"id":838310,"date":"2025-04-01T16:13:03","date_gmt":"2025-04-01T21:13:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/2025\/04\/01\/zachary-noah-piser-talks-about-starring-in-the-broadway-show-redwood-working-with-idina-menzel\/"},"modified":"2025-04-01T16:13:03","modified_gmt":"2025-04-01T21:13:03","slug":"zachary-noah-piser-talks-about-starring-in-the-broadway-show-redwood-working-with-idina-menzel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/2025\/04\/01\/zachary-noah-piser-talks-about-starring-in-the-broadway-show-redwood-working-with-idina-menzel\/","title":{"rendered":"Zachary Noah Piser talks about starring in the Broadway show \u2018Redwood,\u2019 working with Idina Menzel"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Zachary Noah Piser and Idina Menzel in ‘Redwood.’ Photo Credit: Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman<\/small><\/em><\/p>\n

Zachary Noah Piser chatted about starring in the Broadway show \u201cRedwood,\u201d and working with Idina Menzel.<\/p>\n

Menzel co-conceived the musical with director, book writer, and co-lyricist Tina Landau. Kate Diaz\u00a0wrote the music and co-wrote the\u00a0lyrics. The musical is being performed at the Nederlander Theatre in Manhattan.<\/p>\n

Margaret Mead once said: \u201cNever doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it\u2019s the only thing that ever has.\u201d This quote applies to Zachary Noah Piser.<\/p>\n

Background on \u2018Redwood\u2019<\/h2>\n

In \u201cRedwood,\u201d Tony winner Idina Menzel<\/a> portrays Jesse, a woman who finds herself at a crossroads in a Northern California redwood forest after a life-altering event.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Following this traumatic event in her family life, Jesse finds healing while climbing a redwood tree. <\/p>\n

Piser on being a part of \u2018Redwood\u2019<\/h2>\n

On being a part of \u201cRedwood,\u201d he remarked, \u201cIt 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

Working with Idina Menzel<\/h2>\n

On working with Broadway superstar Idina Menzel, Piser said, \u201cOh 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 \u2018count me in!\u2019 I didn\u2019t know anything else about it. The material for this show is completely original.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSometimes, I still can\u2019t 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,\u201d he expressed.<\/p>\n

\u201cI am so grateful that our producers were brave to open this show in the winter, especially since winter is always a crazy time,\u201d he admitted. \u201cI love the theater and I love new works.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Idina
Idina Menzel in \u2018Redwood\u2019 on Broadway. Photo Credit: Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Working with the cast of actors<\/h2>\n

Piser had great words about the entire cast, which includes Emmy winner Michael Park<\/a>, Khaila Wilcoxon, and De\u2019Adre Aziza. \u201cThis is the most wonderful cast,\u201d he exclaimed.<\/p>\n

Piser on Jessica Phillips<\/h2>\n

Piser also complimented Jessica Phillips<\/a>, who is Menzel\u2019s understudy. Ironically enough, Michael Park, Piser, and Phillips are all \u201cDear Evan Hansen\u201d alums, and their dressing rooms are all on the same floor. <\/p>\n

\u201cWe all just laugh about how all we do is shows about trees,\u201d he said with a sweet laugh. \u201cI love Jessica so much. We worked together at \u2018Dear Evan Hansen\u2019 because we overlapped there. I love Jessica to pieces.\u201d<\/p>\n

Daily motivations<\/h2>\n

On his daily motivations, Piser said with a sweet laugh, \u201cI am motivated by food.\u201d <\/p>\n

\u201cThis is one of those shows that\u2019s really special because you know that every single person in the audience has experienced loss or grief in some way whether it\u2019s incredibly real or new or fresh or whether it\u2019s familial, a pet, or a relationship,\u201d he clarified. <\/p>\n

\u201cIf 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,\u201d he elaborated. <\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s what always makes it feel fresh to me,\u201d he noted. \u201cKnowing that there is someone out there who is experiencing something whether big or small related to grief or loss.\u201d<\/p>\n

The digital age<\/h2>\n

On being an actor and artist in the digital age, Piser said, \u201cI have a love and hate relationship with social media. When I was younger, I was scared by it and now I\u2019ve reached a point where I use it for my own good and I use it in the way that I want to use it.\u201d <\/p>\n

\u201cI 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 \u2018do not disturb\u2019 and I go outside for a walk,\u201d he elaborated.<\/p>\n

Career-defining moments<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Regarding his career-defining moments, he shared, \u201cI\u2019ve 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 \u2018Les Mis\u2019 in high school. That showed me that doing this was a feeling I\u2019ve never had before.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAlso, every single show that I have been able to be a part of in the city, whether it\u2019s 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,\u201d Piser acknowledged.<\/p>\n

Superpower of choice<\/strong><\/h2>\n

When asked about his superpower of choice, he responded, \u201cI wish I could have Hermione Granger\u2019s 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

Stage of his life<\/strong><\/h2>\n

On the title of the current chapter of his life, he revealed, \u201cEmbracing fear because fear is a good thing.\u201d <\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t just run away from a challenge, and don\u2019t be scared of a transition or change. Embrace that,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Success<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Regarding his definition of success, he stated, \u201cSuccess has changed a lot. When I first came into the city, it was having someone say \u2018they like me\u2019 or getting a callback and getting into a room.\u201d <\/p>\n

\u201cSuccess 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,\u201d he elaborated.<\/p>\n

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