As some of you may have noticed a few new “FILM” listings have appeared along the side bar over the past few days. Now, this doesn’t mean there are a bunch of new movies starring Idina that everyone will get to see tomorrow. I wish. In actuality, these are films that Idina filmed several years ago that are just now breaking through the surface of public knowledge. So I thought I’d provide you with as much information as I could.

“Show Business”:
This is a documentary from Dori Berinstein, originally filmed in 2003-2004, chronicling the ‘road to Broadway’ for four shows that season: Avenue Q, Caroline, or Change, Taboo, and Wicked. In the film, there is incredible footage (which includes Idina getting the green makeup put on for the very first time), and it is also where her version of “Lullaby of Broadway” plays during the closing credits (a clip of that can be downloaded here.)

As of right now, the filmmakers are trying to get a wider distribution, as the documentary had been screened a few times last year in NYC. This means that a theatrical release is in the works (limited, most likely), as well as a potential DVD release. The film will be released in New York City on May 11, 2007, maybe elsewhere after that. Any other information I find will be posted here, so keep an eye out, alright? To view the trailer (which is actually just a clip featuring Idina), click here.

“Water”:
Now to the film no one’s ever seen. This is a film, originally filmed in 2004 and screened at the New York Film and Video Festival in Dec. 2004, is an independent movie written/directed/produced by Jennifer Houlton. Idina plays the lead character, Jessy Turner, who travels to a small New England island after hearing her sister has turned up dead. It’s a mystery/thriller where she attempts to find out what really happened.

After years of hearing nothing, the director has finally released the trailer on video site, YouTube. To view it, click here. No information about any kind of release, theatrical or DVD, has been announced — and right now, there’s no reason to believe it will. But! I’m hopeful! I will announce any updates on the subject here for everyone to see, and keep tabs on the sidebar for changing info, since sometimes I’m lazy and just change that. I’ll do my best to keep everyone in the know, though.

I’ve also heard that Idina’s concert with Josh Groban Monday night in London went extremely well! Idina sang a new song, titled “Where Do I Begin” (I believe, correct me if I’m wrong), as well as “The Prayer”, a duet with Josh. The concert will be airing on the radio and will be available for streaming after 7:30PM (London time) on Friday, Feb. 16th. So check it out at 2:30PM (EST) and 11:30AM (PST). I’ll be putting the full concert up to download this weekend, most likely, but hopefully I’ll get ahold of a few sneak-peeks of both tracks before then. Keep checkin’ back!

First off: Congratulations to Idina for winning Best Actress in a Musical at the Whatsonstage.com Theatregoers’ Choice Awards! Idina won the award, voted by the legions of fans that saw her incredible performance in London this past fall. Wicked was also the receiver of the Best Supporting Actress in a Musical award (Miriam Margolyes), Best Set Designer (Eugene Lee), and Best New Musical. Congratulations to the entire show! (to view the other winners, click here.)

Acceptance/Response from Idina:
“To all of you wonderful theatregoers who voted for me, thank you so much for this amazing honour. I could not have imagined a better way to make my West End debut than with this unbelievable cast and crew and the incredible love and support that everyone has shown me. I came to this town with some old green make-up and left completely in love with the people and the city. It means so much to me that the green girl was greeted with such warmth and was able to make her transcontinental voyage. This has been a life-changing experience for me that wouldn’t have been possible had it not been for all of you. Can’t wait to come back soon!”

In other news, I’ve received word about Idina’s upcoming concert appearance with Josh Groban — She will be singing a duet with Josh, and then singing a new song that she has been working on for her new album! I will be trying to get the concert from the radio and up here for everyone to download.

Following the Radio 2 BBC concert, Idina will be returning to LA to finish her album.

Just another fun, small update, folks! Thanks so much to Alexandra for finding & sending these to me for everyone to enjoy — Idina and Taye went recently to see the Broadway show Spring Awakening and took a few pictures backstage with the gorgeous young cast! (and doesn’t Idina look so much like actress Lea Michele?? It’s uncanny, they could be sisters . Anyways! I’ve add the two pictures to the gallery, so be sure to check ’em out!

A huge handfull of A-list stars aligned for the 50th birthday bash of television star, Kathy Najimy in Hollywood last night, and Idina took to the stage as the evening’s surprise guest performer!

She is such a class act! Totally incredible, and it’s such an amazing opportunity for her! Glad to see she’s kickin’ butt all over the City of Angels. If any pictures surface from the party, I will be sure to post them here immediately.

Thanks to everyone to sent me e-mails about this news this morning — Very exciting, since things have been slow. Idina is set to appear on Radio 2 in London on February 16th (though it will be recorded on February 12th) @ 7:30PM. The special exclusive concert for international pop star Josh Groban with the BBC Concert Orchestra features multiple special guests, including Idina! For more information, click here. You can listen to the concert broadcast on Radio 2, and I believe on the website during airtime [correct me if you know otherwise!] So so cool!

(ps. Again, the old comments – most of them at least – got deleted… it sucks, and I’m sorry.)