It was announced today that Idina will be replacing fellow Broadway legend Patti LuPone as the guest vocalist for the National Symphony Orchestra Pops season opening weekend October 28-30 at Washington, DC’s Kennedy Center.

Hot on the heels of her sold-out performance with the NSO at Wolf Trap in July, Tony winner Idina Menzel (Wicked) opens the NSO Pops season with Principal Pops Conductor Marvin Hamlisch in a diverse program of classic pop, musical theater favorites (including hits from Wicked and Rent) and her own original stories and songs. A powerhouse of talent, the Glee favorite constantly amazes audiences with her compelling, humorous, and emotional performances.

In a statement Idina said, “I am delighted to return to the National Symphony Orchestra so quickly, and especially to open the NSO’s Pops Season with Marvin Hamlisch. We all worked together for the first time just a few days ago at Wolf Trap, and we had a terrific time. I can’t wait to be with Marvin and the NSO again!”

Tickets go on sale to the public August 11th and are $20 – $85 and can be purchased (at that time) on the Kennedy Center’s website.

Today at Comic-Con International in San Diego, Glee creator/writer/director Ryan Murphy confirmed what we’ve all been hoping for:

Things will probably be a bit quiet for the next week while we await Idina’s upcoming concert on the 31st (at Woodstock!), so in the meantime, I’ve done some site updates you may want to check out.

It has been confirmed that the White House’s website will be streaming tonight’s Broadway Celebration performance! It begins at 7:00 pm ET/4:00 pm PT and you can watch it by clicking here or here.

Screencaps from her performances of “Defying Gravity” and “What I Did For Love” have been added to the gallery!

Also, congratulations to Gina, winner of our Red Bank ticket giveaway! She’ll receive two tickets to Idina’s October 12 concert with the New Jersey Symphony, courtesy of the Count Basie Theatre.

Last night, Idina performed at Vienna, VA’s Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts. She was accompanied by America’s Symphony, the National Symphony Orchestra, conducted by EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony)-winner Marvin Hamlisch. I’m proud to say that Wolf Trap’s official Twitter announced that more than 7,000 people were in attendance, smashing her previous record for ticket sales to a solo performance. Way to go, Idina!

Fans have sent in tons of beautiful photographs, so head over to our newly redesigned Photo Gallery (courtesy of Flor) and enjoy them!

Just a quick reminder that tonight’s your last chance to enter to win tickets to Idina’s October 12th performance in Red Bank, NJ. Read about the contest here. The winner will be announced tomorrow!

Finally, don’t forget to log on to BroadwayWorld.com on Monday at 7:00 pm ET to watch Idina perform for President Obama at the White House! We’ll have all kinds of photos and videos following the event, so make sure you check in later that evening.

It was revealed today that Idina participated in a workshop reading of a developing musical adaptation of the Academy Award-winning film Little Miss Sunshine with fellow Wild Party alum Brian D’Arcy James. As you might recall from our recent Q&A with Idina, she stated her desire to work with him once again. Perhaps this is just a taste of things to come? The musical is slated to premiere at the La Jolla Playhouse in San Diego, California February 15 – March 27, 2011.

NOTE: This does NOT mean Idina will be a part of the public production. Casting in new shows can change a dozen times before it’s finalized, and even if we’re lucky enough to have Idina be a part of the La Jolla production, it does not mean she will be part of the cast if/when it transfers to Broadway. Let’s just all cross our fingers, shall we? Any additional news about this will be posted as soon as it’s made public.

Three photos from the reading have been added to our gallery. Click below to enjoy!

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Idina has added another date to her year-long cross-country tour! She will be performing with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra in Atlanta, Georgia on November 12. There will be a fan club presale for this event, so if you are not yet a member, head over to IdinaMenzel.com to join today.

A couple of Broadway’s most prominent advocates – President Obama and his wife, Michelle – will continue to do their part for the New York theater by bringing some of it to the White House on Monday. Representatives for Mrs. Obama said on Wednesday that the White House would continue its concert series with a performance at 7 p.m. on Monday [July 19] by a lineup of prominent Broadway talents, including Nathan Lane, Idina Menzel, Audra McDonald, Brian d’Arcy James, Chad Kimball, Tonya Pinkins, Marvin Hamlisch, Karen Olivo and Assata Alston, preceded by remarks from the President.

The President and the first lady made headlines last year when their evening’s itinerary in New York included a stop at the Broadway revival of “Joe Turner’s Come and Gone.” Mrs. Obama and her daughters, Sasha and Malia, have also attended the Broadway musicals “Memphis” and “The Addams Family,” whose casts are represented on the White House concert bill by Mr. Kimball and Mr. Lane.

- The New York Times

According to BroadwayWorld.com, PBS plans to air this concert as A Broadway Celebration: In Performance at the White House on October 20. Don’t wait to wait until October 20? It will be broadcast LIVE on the White House’s website, so make sure you log on and watch!