Idina Menzel: Defying Convention

Singer and Tony Award-winning actress Idina Menzel has a lot on her digital organizer these days. In addition to a recurring role on ABC’s “Private Practice” and a brand new gig as a series regular on Fox’s smash “Glee,” the singer will hit the road late next month for a live tour through her diverse repertoire.

Menzel’s trek kicks off April 24 at Metropolitan Park in Jacksonville, Fla., with additional dates on the books through mid-November and more expected.

Backing the singer on her symphonic sojourn will be some of the country’s most famous orchestras, including The Boston Pops Orchestra and the National Symphony Orchestra under the direction of composer Marvin Hamlisch.

Besides performing tracks from her pop debut, 2008’s I Stand, Menzel will dip into her extensive catalog of hits from Broadway musicals including “Rent” and “Wicked,” which earned her a Tony for Lead Actress in a Musical.

Photo: Tristram Kenton and Simon Williams

Adam Pascal as American chess master (and bad guy) Frederick Trumper and Idina Menzel as Florence Vassy, the third leg of the triangle in "Chess in Concert."

“I’m really looking forward to getting back on stage in this new arena,” the singer said. “There’s something so magical about singing in front of an orchestra. I can’t wait to mix up my repertoire and experiment with my album material in this new context.”

Menzel’s other new venture this spring is her role on “Glee” as the coach of New Directions’ arch rival, Vocal Adrenaline. Look for the debut of the character sometime after the series returns for the second half of its first season on April 13.