SINGAPORE — Utter the name Idina Menzel, and Broadway fans and Gleeks will all collectively breathe a sigh of admiration and respect. Now add Disney movie lovers to that list.

The bona fide Broadway legend best known for originating indelible stage roles like the green-skinned Elphaba in the original hit musical Wicked and playing Rachel Berry’s biological mother, Shelby Corcoran, on TV’s Glee is now a Disney Princess.

“Technically, she’s a queen,| quipped Menzel.

The Tony-award-winning actress voices Elsa, the snow queen in Frozen, Disney’s latest animated feature, alongside Kristen Bell. With her signature powerhouse pipes, Menzel gets to belt out one of the film’s biggest songs, Let It Go. The 42-year-old shared what being part of the Disney legacy meant to her.

Q: It must be great to collaborate with everyone on this film, which has such Broadway pedigree.

A: Yeah! Between Glee (and other projects), people are really starting to appreciate us Broadway people and what we do and our discipline and how hard we have to work. And it’s nice when other mediums give us jobs. We may not be household names to everyone, but they recognise what we can bring to the table will be something really special. So that feels good.

Q: Did you ever feel you had to hold back as Elsa because you have a very powerful voice?

A: Yes, I do all the time. Even in real life! I always struggle with allowing everyone to see how great I can be, and how powerful and loud and big and not wanting to p*** anybody off at the same time. (laughs)

Q: How important is it to you to have that legacy of being in a classic Disney movie?

A: It was my dream to be in a Disney animated film! Now to be in one and have an amazing song? That’s really a dream come true for me. I just like to enjoy the process and I like to put myself in a room with people whom I can learn from. So to sit next to John Lasseter and have him come in and be part of some of my recordings and talking character was “wow”. I think that’s how you get better. You have to be willing to put yourself in with great people who might be intimidating, if you’re going to learn anything.

Q: Is it because of a lack of opportunity that you have done so few films?

A: No, it’s a little bit of everything. It’s not getting certain opportunities, it’s wanting to do theatre. Theatre is a long commitment, so it’s hard to commit to certain things. But it’s so important to me to be a part of the process early on and originate a role, so it’s a compromise that I have to make.

Q: What was your initial reaction to Elsa when you read the script?

A: I was happy to be a part of it even if I was the villain. But I love how complicated and surprising Elsa is. And unconventional.

Q: Elsa’s a really layered character, and that’s a testament to you.

A: Oh, thank you. Thank you. She’s just liberated. And there’s an Elsa doll! She sings and if you push her boobies my voice comes out. (laughs)

A: Well, you have a legacy now.

A: Yeah, thank you. I recognise how lucky I am to be a part of that whole family and like I said, it was something I’ve always wanted. And I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to sing in one and the fact that I’ve had this stunning song seems to connect with people.

Q: It is stunning. And very long!

A: It’s very epic. It’s an 11 o’clock number at three o’clock. (laughs)

Q: People still talk about Wicked. Do you know if there will be a film version?

A: All I know is that it’s in development and that they tell Kristin Chenoweth and myself that we’re going to be too old to play the lead role. (smiles) It’s Wicked’s 10th anniversary this year, so yeah, I don’t know when they’ll make the movie. I’m just proud of the legacy and how many people all over the world it’s affected and connected with. I’m proud of my character, what she represents.

Frozen opens in cinemas tomorrow.