Kristin Chenoweth - For the Girls

January 24, 2022

Tony and Emmy-award winning actress and singer Kristin Chenoweth, has a career that reads like a Hollywood screenplay.

Chenoweth’s career spans film, television, voiceovers and stage. Known for her starring roles in “Wicked,” “You’re a Good man Charlie Brown,” “Pushing Daisies,” “Glee” and much more, she has released countless albums, many of which have debut at #1 on the Billboard charts, performed to sold out audiences across the world, including Carnegie Hall and Royal Albert Hall. In 2015, Chenoweth received her coveted star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. 

In 2019, Chenoweth released her newest album “For the Girls”. The album is a heartfelt tribute to female singers that have made an impact on Chenoweth.

“This album includes interpretations of classic songs identified with such iconic artist as Dinah Washington, Carole King and Dolly Parton. I also had some great guest artists including Reba McEntire, Jennifer Hudson and Ariana Grande. These are the women that really shaped and molded my singing career”, said Chenoweth about personally singing with her fellow artist.  

To celebrate the release of her newest album “For the Girls” Chenoweth returned to Broadway in November of 2019 for an eight-performance engagement in New York with the thought of continuing her show in 2020 but then COVID-19 hit and the lights of Broadway went dark. 

“The first few weeks I took a little bit of a break. I thought it wouldn’t last long and then it would be over. I lost two very important people in my life during the pandemic. I think music is healing, when I'm at the saddest point or I just need to get something out, I sing. For me, that's therapeutic. Just even a hum, there is something, a pheromone or a vibration that happens, that makes me feel better. And I think we need more music in the world right now,” said Chenoweth.

In 2021, Chenoweth decided to take “For the Girls” on tour. “I've pulled myself up by the bootstraps. I'm back on the road in a safe way,” said Chenoweth.

Stopping in cities across the U.S. that includes a stop at Mesa Arts Center in Mesa, AZ. The show is part of MAC’s annual fundraiser to benefit the Mesa Arts Center Foundation - An Enchanted Evening featuring Kristin Chenoweth.  

“I'm excited that it's a fundraiser and I'm excited that we're raising money for the arts. Art has the power to change lives. I’m quoting my friend Mary Mitchell Campbell “Art has the power to change lives”. She's so right on the money, I truly believe it does. I hope that people will continue to support Mesa Art Center. Everything that they do is so special, and they bring in such amazing people and shows and art. I just love it,” said Chenoweth. 

 When it comes to the show, “For the Girls” audiences can expect the unexpected. 

“There's always surprises at my show. I'm really excited for people who haven’t seen me in concert, maybe to see me in a different way. There are three background singers and dancers in the show and a band so it's a little different than before.

I'll be doing a lot of songs from “For the Girls”. I'm constantly adding new songs and taking songs out. Anybody that see me knows I don't just stand there, of course there’s nothing wrong with that but that's not the kind of show you're going to get with me. That's why I love this art form the best,” said Chenoweth. 

Chenoweth’s favorite song from the album and show is one everyone knows. 

“It's changed before COVID It was “I'm a Woman” and that's how we opened the show. There's lots of singing and dancing and cool stuff, but now because of life. It is the Marvin Hamlisch tune that Barbra Streisand made famous, many people have sung it and it goes (Chenoweth begins to sing) “Memories light the corners of my mind, Mistry water-colored memories of the way were” It's that song because so much has changed and I think once we get through all of this, maybe we'll be stronger. But that song is the one that's really touched me,” said Chenoweth. 

Chenoweth has also kept herself busy with TV and movie productions, she is staring in the upcoming film “National Champions” co-staring with JK Simmons. She also recorded a Christmas album that is out now called “HAPPINESS is…Christmas?” and wrote a children’s book, “What Will I Do with My Love Today”. 

And if that wasn’t enough Chenoweth is also a passionate supporter of charities which dedicate their time and efforts to helping those in need. She formed a charity partnership with the Broken Arrow Performing Arts Center (BAPAC) Foundation in her home state of Oklahoma. She launched an annual Broadway Bootcamp in 2015, providing young Broadway hopefuls with the opportunity to take classes, hold performances and learn from top mentors in the entertainment industry including Kristin herself. 

“It's actually growing and becoming bigger and bigger. We had a virtual Kristin Chenoweth Broadway bootcamp this year, which opened ourselves up to eight countries and 33 states. So, I’m thrilled for next year, which will be a hybrid of both in person and virtual, so that we can have kids from other countries join us again. I'm very proud of it. It's the thing that I care the most about,” said Chenowith.

In her lifelong mission to cultivate arts education across the globe, Chenoweth has also created “Places! The Kristin Chenoweth Tour Experience," a unique educational program for young singers that puts them right next to her performing on stage. Each concert in Chenoweth’s ongoing tour will feature local participants from higher education conservatories, universities and colleges for the immersive educational. 

Chenoweth is a graduate of Oklahoma City University with a Master’s degree in Opera Performance. She is an inductee into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame, as well as the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame.

See Kristin Chenoweth in concert at Mesa Arts Center on Sat, Jan 29! Only a few seats left - get your tickets today!

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