If you want to get through a rainy day, search for “Kristin Chenoweth” on YouTube. There are endless videos of Broadway’s golden girl: winning awards, yapping it up with the top talk show hosts, singing classic showtunes in benefit after benefit and even just meeting up with fans at various stage doors. Since the Promises, Promises leading lady has just been crowned our Star of the Year for 2010, we decided to take on an impossible challenge and whittle the selections down to just five Kristin Chenoweth videos we can’t live without. Enjoy!
1. We Like It, Too! - 1999
Let’s start at the very beginning (a very good place to start!). Seeing Chenoweth burst onto the stage as sassy little Sally in You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown was one of those unforgettable moments in the theater. Rarely do you get to witness a star being born before your eyes. In this clip, Chenoweth sings her standout song “My New Philosophy” with Stanley Wayne Mathis at the 1999 Tony Awards, just minutes before her teary award win...in a wig!
2. The Witches of Macy’s - 2003
Of course, we had to get a little Wicked somewhere on our list. Of the bazillion clips from the show online (most illegal), we’re going with this simple out-of-costume appearance by Chenoweth and Idina Menzel at Macy’s while the show was still in previews and not yet a mega-hit. Hearing the two leading ladies sing “For Good” always warms our heart, but seeing them do it in street clothes is a rare and special treat.
3. The Dumb Ho-Tel - 1999
Right after her Tony win, Rob Marshall grabbed Chenoweth for his TV remake of the beloved Broadway musical Annie. The role was Lily St. Regis, a fun little featured part that, in the hands of the new star, threatened to steal the whole movie. Check out how much fun she has with co-stars Kathy Bates and Alan Cumming dancing down “Easy Street” in the clip below! (Fast-forward to 1:00 to jump to Chenoweth’s entrance.)
4. That Girl - 2001
And now a Chenoweth standard, written specifically for her by Dick Scanlan and Jeanine Tesori: “The Girl in 14G.” We love this Cheno-special because it properly shows off all of the colors of her voice with a cute story song about life with noisy (but talented!) neighbors. We love that latte boy, too, but the girl in 14G is still our fave. Here, she sings it on The Rosie O’Donnell Show. Flawlessly, of course!
5. The Cheno Note – 1997-2009
The truth is, it’s kind of impossible to pick five Chenoweth clips because she’s been everywhere on TV. Always pitch-perfect, always charming, always unforgettable. So we love this greatest hits fan video called “The Cheno Note” that combines dozens of her singing TV and stage appearances into one long, glorious song. Sing on, Chenoweth!