We always wonder how much a symphony enjoys being a backup band. Stuck literally playing second fiddle to Broadway star Idina Menzel's own band — which was center stage at the Woods at Fontanel — the Nashville Symphony's concertmaster broke into a smile halfway through a pretty brilliant mash-up of Cole Porter's "Love for Sale" and "Roxanne." Maybe, during all of those violin lessons growing up, she never thought she was going to be in a Police cover band someday, but here she was enjoying it. It was going to be a good night.
Menzel powered her way through an ambitious set list which started "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" and ended with West Side Story's "Somewhere," sprinkling in a variety of pop tunes, new material and favorites from Tony-recognized performances. Most songs were preceded by extended, sometimes profane monologues from the funny Menzel, something an adoring crowd full of Rent and Wicked fans ate up, especially when she jokingly called Beyonce a bitch.
