Today, Tony and Emmy winner Kristin Chenoweth celebrates her 46th birthday. The 4’11 songstress is easily one of the most easily identifiable stars of the Broadway stage both for her height, her infectious personality and her soprano voice. We’re especially excited that Chenoweth will be returning to the Broadway Stage in 2015 in a revival of the 1978 musical On the Twentieth Century playing the lead role of Lily Garland originated by Madeleine Kahn, her idol. Seeing Cheno play the role of the diva Lily will be a treat for audiences next year and we can’t wait to hear how she sounds on the cast recording – she’ll definitely do justice to second act show stopper “Babbette”.
For now, though, to celebrate this original diva’s birthday we’ve compiled a list of ten essential Chenoweth numbers to celebrate her ability to enchant and entertain us:
“We Kiss in a Shadow” from The King & I
Sure, this 1991 video of Kristin playing Tuptim in regional production of The King and I takes some suspension of disbelief but even at such a young age her talent is assured. Kristin’s claim to fame as a talent often hinges towards the comedic, but it’s always nice to remember her ability to play other emotions. Also, most significantly, she sings the Rodgers and Hammerstein tune beautifully.
“If You Hadn’t But You Did” from Two on the Aisle
Kristin does a recording of this song on her debut album Let Yourself Go and performs it in concert here with the Boston Pops. It's my favorite version of the song from the 1951 revue and such a fine example of how much irresistible a stage presence she is.
“Lion Tamer” from The Magic Show
Like “We Kiss in the Shadow” this one is a less humorous version of Kristin, but it's a beautiful rendition of this gorgeous number from the forgotten Schwartz musical The Magic Show.
“Maybe This Time” from Cabaret
Kristin’s two-time Emmy-nominated work on Glee as drunken April Rhodes has always been one of the highlights of the show. Each number she's done on the show has been a keeper but there's something especially significant about that first number she sings on the show. This Ebb and Kander number might not be the first song you'd expect to hear Kristin sing but she's proven her versatility again and again and completely sells it. (Including the essential Cheno high note at the end.)
“Eternal Flame” from Pushing Daisies
Before Glee, though, Kristin had already achieved legitimate television success playing the Emmy-winning role of Olive Snook in Pushing Daisies. The role is a gem, and creator Bryan Fuller incorporated Chenoweth’s musical sensibilities by having Olive break into song on occasion. There were funnier numbers, but the best will always be the second season performance of The Bangles’ “Eternal Flame” which saw Olive, hopelessly, longing for the ever elusive pie-maker. It’s the irresistible mix of unrequited love avoiding triteness by being simultaneously hilarious.
“Two Little Words” from Steel Pier
For her Broadway debut Kristin starred in the Ebb and Kander musical Steel Pier for which she won a Theatre World Award. What an auspicious stage debut it was! This aria could not have been an easy song to sing eight shows a week but it's just an example of how singular a talent she is. This is not a song that just anyone could do justice, but then Kristin Chenoweth is not just anyone. It's why even her high note has been given the very specific name of the Cheno Note.
“The Girl in 14 G”
Kristin Chenoweth plays three people in a number. It's the most effective example of Kristin's talent from a simple songstress, to a soprano diva to a jazz riffer and all in comedic excellence and she's doing it all live!
“My New Philosophy” from You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tRa7WNmRakY
Penned by Andrew Lippa for Chenoweth in the Broadway Revival of the musical, this is essentially the song that won Kristin her Tony Award. Sally Brown's number is a hilarious moment in the show.
“Popular” from Wicked
G(a)linda the Good Witch will forever be a major part of Kristin's legacy and the hilarious “Popular” shows us why. We've heard so many versions of thi number from Wicked but there's something ineffable about Kristin's take on it that makes it work in a way no other rendition does.
“Glitter and Be Gay” from Candide
And, to end with, one of the most famous Soprano arias from Leonard Bernstein's Candide. It's become something of a signature song for her and she's performed it multiple times. This one from 2002 is my favourite, though, and the one where she sounds most beautifully. Like I've mentioned before it's the ability to nail comedy and still tug at your emotions that makes Kristin so much of an essential star and as funny as “Glitter and Be Gay” she always makes the number pop by being more than just funny. And that's the best thing about Kristin. Sure, she's remembered mostly a comic performer but she's so great because even when she's being funny she can be effective in telegraphing sadness and drama.
These are only ten reasons why we love Kristin Chenoweth. We wish her and her beautiful voice a great birthday!
