The Adelaide Cabaret Festival has never had an issue with bringing the best of Broadway’s stage to Australia – Mandy Patinkin and Bernadette Peters, Ben Vereen and Brian Batt. In 2013, it’s Broadway’s own good witch, Kristen Chenoweth.
Chenoweth has become a household name, thanks to her Broadway role as Glinda and appearances in The West Wing, Glee and the short-lived GCB. What many people don’t know is she suffered a horrendous, on-set accident, in 2012, which could have ended her career – thankfully, it didn’t!
Following a video montage and musical overture, showcasing her varied career, Kristen Chenoweth took to the stage to pose the question – ‘Should I Be Sweet’, from Take a Chance – and she is.
Chenoweth rolled out a 90-minute, two-act powerhouse of songs – both established musical numbers and some of her own personal compositions. Songs such as Wicked’s ‘Popular’ – sung in French, Japanese and German, to demonstrate the show’s international appeal – and ‘Maybe This Time’ from Cabaret. Classic hits like ‘Enough is Enough’ and ‘I Will Always Love You’ – the Dolly Parton original version. Christian Rock and Chenoweth’s originals – ‘Fathers and Daughters’ and ‘WWDD (What Would Dolly Do)’ – all came together to showcase the vocal range of this incredible songstress.
A particularly personal and powerful moment was the opportunity for one audience member to join Chenoweth, on stage, to perform the Wicked duet, ‘For Good’. Chosen at random, a young 16 year old named Milly, took to the stage. What made this all the more powerful was the revelation that this song had been played at her best friend’s funeral.
Chenoweth was supported by three backup singers – Jennifer Diamond, Will Taylor and Constantine Germanacos – each of whom joined her in duets, and added to the playful interludes. Mary Mitchell Campbell, the singer’s long-time musical director, on-stage pianist, and conductor, brought the ensemble together, supported by the Adelaide Art Orchestra.
In-between songs, Chenoweth’s bubbly, vivacious energy was channelled into playful sketches and audience banter. She isn’t afraid to send-up Wicked’s loss at the Tony’s to Avenue Q, the cancellation of GCB or her love for and friendship with Dolly Parton. She even went so far as to personalise the show, for Adelaide audiences, with a number of in-jokes.
Kristen Chenoweth, at 4’11’’ – all of it voice – is the proof that good things come in small packages and, sometimes, those packages pack a punch!
Rating: 5 stars out of 5
Kristin Chenoweth
With the Adelaide Art Orchestra
Festival Theatre
8 – 9 June
Adelaide Cabaret Festival
www.adelaidecabaret.com
7 – 22 June
