Broadway star Kristin Chenoweth has performed in arenas and on grand stages.
But the perpetually peppy singer softens when the conversation turns to historic venues like Canton Palace Theatre, where she’ll appear Nov. 21.
“I’ve also played stadiums and different size venues, but for me, where I’m most comfortable are these theaters,” Chenoweth said recently in a phone interview. “A lot of them are from the turn of the century … and the architecture is incredible.”
Chenoweth said bygone theaters are akin to traveling back in time.
“It inspires the music,” she said. “… For me, these venues are my happy place.”
Headlining entertainmentCanton Palace Theatre marking 100th anniversary with Kristin Chenoweth
Chenoweth’s local performance will have special significance for the Palace Theatre, showcasing her as part of its Centennial Celebration Weekend, which also features In the Heartland-The Music of Michael Stanley Band on Nov. 20.
Opening night in 1926 will be recreated on Nov. 22, featuring the 1920s movie, “Lambchops,” starring George Burns and Gracie Allen; the work of late magician Carl Rosini; the short film “A Cycle of Song”; and Ruiz and Bonita in “Their Dances Supreme.”
For more information and to purchase tickets, go to cantonpalacetheatre.org/.
Chenoweth said she might incorporate a song from the 1920s in her show to honor the Palace. She also plans to add some local talent to her performance.
“We’re reaching out to a couple of the universities to see if they would like to sing with me, so fingers crossed,” she said. “Sometimes I invite somebody from the audience to do a duet with me, and I definitely want to do that as well. That is what music is about. Someone you’ve never met who loves your music and knows your music.”
Chenowith is a Tony and Emmy award-winning actor and singer known for her performances in the Broadway production of “Wicked,” the musical “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” and the television series “Pushing Daisies.”
The artist said she’ll sing both classics and popular songs from her catalog, as well as new material. She’s released several albums as a singer-songwriter, as well as recording cover songs. Her music spans genres.
“I never do the same show twice,” Chenoweth said.
‘Once in a lifetime’
Chenoweth has a friend with strong Stark County ties − Tony Marion, a GlenOak High School graduate whose Broadway producer credits include “Ghost the Musical” and serving as marketing director for the musical, “MJ.”
Marion received Tony Award nominations as a producer of “Evita” starring Ricky Martin (2012), “Groundhog Day” (2017) and “Betrayal” (2019).
“I’m coming (to Canton) actually a day early,” Chenoweth said. “… And I’m coming to see the town and have some local cuisine and hopefully run over to the theater. I love to get to know the people the best I can in the area where I’m singing because it needs to feel authentic to me.”
Marion met Chenoweth when he served as lead producer of “The Queen of Versailles,” which starred the actor.
“It’s hard to describe the magnetism of a star like Kristin,” said Marion, who heads Willrow Entertainment, a New York–based company. “She is emblematic of a golden age leading lady whose presence commands the room in a way that feels once in a lifetime.”
“Whether in a rehearsal room with a handful of people or in the historic Colonial and St. James Theatres where thousands sit in awe of her talent,” he added. “The fact that Canton’s Palace Theatre now gets to experience her legend is a gift beyond description.”
The admiration is mutual.
“He’s a star in the producing world,” Chenoweth said of Marion, adding that the producer “tells it like it is but always leads with kindness.”
From ‘Wicked’ to ‘The West Wing’
Chenoweth’s career has hopscotched from Broadway to TV and film and back and forth, including a role in the final two seasons of “The West Wing,” as well as “Glee,” the NBC sitcom “Trial & Error,” and the NBC mockumentary sitcom “Stumble” about the competitive world of junior college cheerleading.
Catapulting her career was the lead role of Glinda in 2003 and 2004 in the Broadway musical, “Wicked.”
Although the central love story of “Wicked” is between Elphaba and Fiyero, the relationship between Elphaba and Glinda carries a deep, resonant message, Chenoweth said.
“To me, it’s really the relationship between the two very young ladies that sparks the conversation about forgiveness, which in today’s time … we are lacking empathy as a society,” she said. “… And I think that’s probably why ‘Wicked’ lasts and is the juggernaut it is because it reminds us about empathy.”
Remembering Dolly: ‘She’s not going anywhere.’
Chenoweth said the late Dolly Parton is a mentor.
They crossed paths at a concert. And Chenoweth said she’ll perform in Canton while wearing a pair of gloves gifted to her from Parton.
“She was really exactly what you think she was,” Chenoweth said of the icon.
“I’ve been compared to her, which is ridiculous,” she added. “There’s only one of her. I’m getting ready to participate in a (CMA) tribute show (for Parton). I’m lucky I lived in her timeline, and the thing about her is she will live on. There are charities and books and getting kids to read. … She will live on like Elvis. She’s not going anywhere.”
Chenoweth will be among the cast in the sixth season of the reality television series, “The Traitors US.”
The show streams on Peacock. Other contestants include Olympic gold medalist snowboarder Chloe Kim, actor Johnny Sibilly, singer Cody Simpson, and participants from other reality TV shows, including Gizelle Bryant, Joey Graziadei, Bianca Del Rio and Whitney Leavitt.
The show is filmed at Ardross Castle in Scotland and hosted by actor Alan Cumming.
“Many years ago, a very famous actor told me, ‘Now, Kristin, don’t do any commercials and don’t do any of this reality stuff because you’re an actor,’ and I said, ‘You’re right,’ and was a little bit of a snob about it.”
But she’s glad she changed her mind.
“I can’t say anything else, but I had a blast and I’m so thankful I did (the show),” Chenoweth said. “… And I didn’t do it for any other reason than I needed a palate cleanser from the year, and it was just that, and it was so much fun.”
‘I want to bring us together.’
Chenoweth said her Nov. 21 concert in Canton will be a shared experience.
“The reason I love what I do is because music is the universal language, and my hope and dream is in Canton, for two hours … for maybe 90 minutes, I want to bring us together,” she said. “I want us to forget about our differences. I want us to enjoy the music.”
Reach Ed at ed.balint@cantonrep.com. Follow on Instagram at ed_balint and TikTok @edwardbalint
If you go
What:Centennial Celebration Weekend, featuring singer and actor Kristin Chenoweth
Where:Canton Palace Theatre, 605 Market Ave. N in downtown Canton
When:7:30 p.m. Nov. 21. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
Tickets:Starting at $56, plus VIP meet-and-greet tickets, which can be purchased at cantonpalacetheatre.org/.
This article originally appeared on The Repository:‘Once in a lifetime.’ Kristin Chenoweth talks Canton show and ‘Wicked’
