A KRISTIN PRESENT FOR NEW YEAR’S EVE
The supremely talented platinum blonde speaks in a small voice and possesses a very petite, yet bodacious body. When she sings, however, we get very unique, beautiful and extraordinarily powerful musical notes in perfect pitch. At 4’ 11”, this wacky and vulnerable powerhouse is the new amalgamated American celebrity singer: She’s a tolerant Christian, an LGBT supporter (“I love my gays”), a yellow ribbon-waving patriot, an inspiration to young performers, and a powerhouse belter who can sustain a high E — all wrapped up in a distinctive kooky persona behind a svelte kewpie-doll look.
Kristin Chenoweth is also a musical theater juggernaut. Most know her as the originator of Glinda, the Good Witch in the musical Wicked. Her first big break on Broadway was the revival of You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, in the newly created role of Sally Brown, Charlie’s sister. She shined performing Andrew Lippa’s new song “My New Philosophy” which cinched the Tony Award for Chenoweth. (My favorite original cast album of hers is On the Twentieth Century.)
As if being a gifted comedienne and vocalist and humanitarian isn’t enough, Chenoweth gives great concert. And she’s headlining a New Year’s Eve show this Tuesday at Disney Hall with special guests Cheyenne Jackson and Shoshana Bean, two of our best Broadway singers. The show, proving to be as “Popular” as Glinda, will play twice, once at 7 and again at 10:30, the latter for those who want to ring in the year with La Chenoweth.
You’ll want to spend a night with these three. Chenoweth is sassy, confident and warm. Jackson is easily one of the most winning performers around. There are Broadway stars who simply cannot perform in concert without coming off as a cardboard cutout. Handsome, self-effacing, loquacious, and convivially humble, Jackson radiates charisma — especially when on stage, where every time I have seen him he is dazzling. Bean, who appeared on Broadway in Waitress, has sung show music all her life, but for several years her focus has incorporated R&B, blues, and jazz. It’s refreshing that even if she uses vocal pyrotechnics, every song she sings is a story. When was the last time you popped your cork three times on New Year’s Eve?
photos courtesy of LA Phil
New Year’s Eve with Kristin Chenoweth
presented by LA Phil
Walt Disney Concert Hall
Tuesday December 31, 2019, at 7 & 10:30pm
for tickets, call 323.850.2000 or visit LA Phil
