Q &A with Kristin Chenoweth
Kristin Chenoweth originated the role of Glinda the Good Witch in Broadway’s smash hit Wicked and is an Emmy and Tony Award winner. She’s also returning to Segerstrom Center for the Arts for a one-night-only event, on October 23, at 7:30 p.m.
She offers an evening highlighted by songs from her most recent album, For The Girls, a heartfelt tribute to the great female singers throughout history, particularly some of Kristin’s heroes and friends. She’ll be performing personally charged interpretations of classic songs identified with such iconic artists as Barbra Streisand, Leslie Gore, Linda Ronstadt, Dinah Washington, Dolly Parton, and more.
Despite her busy schedule and preparing for her upcoming show, she was able to do a quick interview with me.
1. How does it feel to be performing live again with the upcoming For the Girls at Segerstrom?
I'm really nervous but excited because I really want to give a good show. We just got started and then the pandemic hit, so here we come.
2. What are you most looking forward to at your show?
Oh, I love that we have two background singers and they sing so well, and our band and its choreography, and it's a show.
3. How has the pandemic been for you? How did you stay busy, healthy, and positive?
It was hard because we went up and down a lot emotionally. I was lucky enough to get to work, some before the vaccination, some after. I did an Apple series called Schmigadoon!, I did a food network show called Candy Land, I did a cracker commercial and I continue to do virtual concerts. I tried to stay busy. I did a movie in my closet for Bob Zemeckis called The Witches as well as many other things, so I feel very lucky that I was able to continue to make a living.
4. As an Emmy and Tony Award winner, as well as being known as the original role of Glinda in Wicked, do you have a personal favorite role that you've played, and why?
Lily Garland in On the Twentieth Century utilizes a lot of what I do. It's a commedia dell'arte, it's an operetta, it's a dance, it's a highbrow comedy. Not much more than I can ask than that.
5. Do you have a dream role that you would love to play someday?
Yeah, but I'd rather be quiet about it because I'm involved with a few of them and I will see which race gets to the finish line first.
6. What does your day look like when you know you're going to be performing at night?
I sleep till noon and then I get up and warm up and eat, and then I stretch a little bit and then I go for it.
7. What do you do to stay healthy and in good shape?
Hmm, that's hard because I'm not in great shape right now. Walking is underrated and I try to drink a smoothie every day with nutrients. That's not very grandiose, but it's something.
8. What would you be doing if you had to choose a different career?
I would be at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice getting my degree in forensic science.
9. You're both a stage and screen star. Do you find one more challenging and rewarding, or does it entirely depend on the role?
They're both different beasts. Depends on the role, depends on the pace. Broadway is just not for wimps, but TV and film are not for wimps either, because the pacing and it's the hurry up and gets ready and now you're off and now you're slow and now it's gone. Probably I prefer the stage, just because I like being shot out of a cannon and then going until the finish line.
10. What do you like to do most when you have time off?
I love to color.
11. What do you love most about Orange County, and of course the Segerstrom Center for the Arts?
I love that they do everything there. I've seen such good acts there. I remember when I went and saw Frankie Valli there and the Four Seasons. I loved that. I also loved the shopping and I love the hotels and the food.
Segerstrom Center for the Arts - Kristin Chenoweth by Krista Schlueter
