Review: Kristin Chenoweth Graces Wolf Trap

There are many gifted vocalists in this world (more about that later) and many gifted vocalists with charming personalities, but the sheer volume of gift and charm packed into the diminutive Kristin Chenoweth is a wonder to behold. She can sing, my word, can she sing, but when she is on stage, as last night at Wolf Trap, what particularly strikes you is her openness, sincerity and the ease she has with herself and her audience. Chenoweth is a generous performer, warmly sharing the stage with local DC artists and musicians, and her music director, Mary-Mitchell Campbell, a talented vocalist in her own right (as she demonstrated on several songs last night). Campbell is the founder of a performing arts nonprofit, ASTEP (Artists Striving to End Poverty), and Chenoweth works with her hometown performing arts organization in Oklahoma, the Broken Arrow Performing Arts Foundation; each woman spoke eloquently of wanting to make a difference with their art.

Kristin also speaks reverently of the composers she holds dear, dedicating last night's concert to the late Marvin Hamlisch, with whom she performed when she was last at Wolf Trap. But whether it was Jerome Kern, Kander and Ebb or Dolly Parton, she gives the impression that it is the utmost honor for her to sing their songs.

Regardless of what she's singing, Chenoweth is unabashedly Chenoweth. She grew up singing in church, and readily expresses her deep faith, performing "Upon This Rock" (after reassuring those who may not share her beliefs not to worry, that "it will be over in four minutes"), honored veterans, including her cousin, with an exquisite "Bring Him Home," from LES MISERABLES, and her dad with "Fathers and Daughters." She joked about her small stature, her ongoing battle with "cleavage sweat" during the show, her eschewing of a wig that wasn't working, and spoke passionately about how fortunate she felt to be there, and how thankful she was that the audience had chosen to spend the evening with her. And somehow you know, beyond any doubt, that she means it. Few performances go off without a hitch, and even she acknowledged when a note or two was missed. She puts her whole body into every song; each one feels like an "event" (even the amusing "Taylor, The Latte Boy"), but there were no complicated costume changes, no intermission, no pyrotechnics-and it was good.

In fact, the only real props used in the show, were flash cards that appeared for the hilarious "alternate" version of "Dance 10, Looks 3" from A CHORUS LINE. Kristin related the story of getting the part in the show at camp when she was young, but as a devout Christian, she readily admits, she prayed with her parents about how she could manage lyrics that included the problematic (for her) reference to "tits and ass." The result? The otherwise unchanged song now lauded the acquiring of "boobs and butt." Somehow, nothing was lost in the translation, and much laughter was had by all, both then and now.

As promised, back to the truth that there are many gifted vocalists out there, I give you Shannon, the local 17 year old, high school senior, given the opportunity of a lifetime to perform the "For Good" duet from WICKED with Kristin. This duet with an audience member is often a feature of Chenoweth's concerts; you may have seen the YouTube video of her Hollywood Bowl concert, during which the woman chosen from the audience to sing with her, shocked Kristin (and everyone) with her talent, and caused a sensation. Last night's Wolf Trap audience was similarly awestruck, as was Chenoweth, by the amazing performance by the teenager on that stage. Shannon's voice is truly remarkable; the audience gasped when she began harmonizing exquisitely with Kristin. "For Good" is a beautiful song (thank you, Stephen Schwartz), and I've not heard it done such justice since Kristin and Idina Menzel sang it together as Glinda and Elphaba on Broadway.

The balanced mix of songs performed during the concert allowed Chenoweth to showcase her diverse talent and musical leanings, but also her humor and the passion she feels for what she does. From "Popular," to "9 to 5," to "I Could Have Danced All Night," and to the whisper of Dolly Parton's "Little Sparrow," the well-paced, ninety minutes never lagged.

Early in the show, Kristin performed an impassioned and forceful rendition of "Maybe This Time" from CABARET, bringing the audience to their feet for the first of multiple mid-show standing ovations (others for "Bring Him Home," "Somewhere Over the Rainbow," "Upon This Rock," and "For Good"). Her encore ended the show with a simply arranged, but soaring "I Will Always Love You." In with a bang, and out with a heartfelt flight of notes; as much pleasure as Chenoweth seemed to feel about performing at Wolf Trap was openly shared by her enthusiastic audience.

To post a comment, you must register and login.