Friday, Aug. 22, and Saturday, Aug. 23 Last month, Kristin Chenoweth performed her first solo show at London’s Royal Albert Hall, crossing yet another great world stage off her theater bucket list. The audience that packed that great house quickly learned what many from Broadway and her home state of Oklahoma have known for years – no matter how many movies she films or television roles she takes, Chenoweth is a constant of theater today. The Broken Arrow native brings the point home this month when she plays the theater bearing her name at the Broken Arrow Performing Arts Center, 701 S. Main St., Broken Arrow. Kristin Chenoweth Live! is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 22, and Saturday, Aug. 23. A graduate of Oklahoma City University, Chenoweth and her unforgettable voice first caught acclaim when she won a Tony Award in 1999 for her performance as Sally in a Broadway run of the musical You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown. Originating the role of Glinda in the Oz-inspired musical Wicked, she was nominated for another Tony. More notably, Chenoweth’s performance in that role set the standard in what has become one of the most popular contemporary musicals of recent decades. She’s also become the epitome of today’s entertainer, the ultimate “threat” who can navigate the terrain of mass media (television’s Glee and the forthcoming Disney Channel film Descendents) with energy and charm to spare for sold-out live engagements, such as her Carnegie Hall show in May. And through it all, even as plans are made to set her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2015, Chenoweth has Broken Arrow in mind. The inexhaustible artist is making new plans for her fine arts and community foundation. Kristin Chenoweth Live! opens the Broken Arrow PAC’s 2014-15 season. Tickets are $49-$81, available at www.myticketoffice.com. For more visit www.brokenarrowpac.com.
Update: Watch Chenoweth on the Sept. 13 airing of PBS television’s Great Performances. The program will broadcast Star-Spangled Spectacular: Bicentennial of our National Anthem live from Pier Six Pavilion in Baltimore, Md. Actor John Lithgow will host the program featuring Chenoweth and other entertainers. Check local listings for specific air times.
