There’s a powerful appeal to the idea of leaving behind the turbulence of the personal - or for that matter, the political - and escaping to a place of beauty, safety and solace. A separate peace within a natural sanctuary is just what the troubled character of Jesse,

Menzel has plenty to give. She could be the greatest squandered resource on Broadway in decades, which makes this well-intentioned misfire more frustrating: they are literally hanging Menzel out to dry.

Wicked” and “Frozen” star Idina Menzel belts her way through “Redwood,” a new musical that’s earnest to a fault.