Idina Kim Menzel (born Idina Kim Mentzel;May 30, 1971) is an American actress and singer. Menzel rose to prominence when she originated the role of Maureen Johnson in the Broadway musical Rent. Her performance earned her a Tony Award nomination in 1996. She reprised the role in the musical's 2005 film adaptation. In 2003, Menzel originated the role of Elphaba in the Broadway musical Wicked, for which she won the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical. Menzel returned to Broadway in the 2014 musical If/Then, which earned her a third Tony Award nomination. more