Stage, television and film star Kristin Chenoweth will perform two sold-out concerts at BYU May 19-20. (Matt Doyle)
Kristin Chenoweth will perform two sold-out concerts this weekend at the de Jong Concert Hall on the BYU campus to conclude BYU's 2016-17 BRAVO! season.
Chenoweth was originally scheduled to perform September 2-3 last fall to start the BRAVO! season, but had to cancel due to a filming conflict for her role as Easter in the Starz series 'American Gods.' The September dates were filled instead by Tony Award winner Leslie Odom Jr., known for his role as Aaron Burr in the musical 'Hamilton.'
Kayla Farnsworth, a music education major, said she thought it was 'really cool' someone well-known would come to BYU.
'It's really amazing that the BRAVO! series brings really big names,' Farnsworth said. 'It helps your education and helps you see, especially for people in the school of music, the top of the performing world so it gives you a standard to try to reach.'
Chenoweth has a master's degree in Opera Performance from Oklahoma City University and will show her range of skill as she performs songs from her iconic roles in shows such as 'Wicked' and 'Glee.' 'An Evening with Kristin Chenoweth' will also include songs from Chenoweth's album 'The Art of Elegance' which was released in September 2016.
'The Art of Elegance' is filled with American Songbook classics and debuted at No. 1 on Billboard's Current Jazz and Traditional Jazz charts. The album also appeared No. 1 on Amazon's Vocal Pop chart.
“I can’t think of a better way to close out the 2016-17 BRAVO! season than with two sold-out performances by the incomparable Kristin Chenoweth,' said BRAVO! series producer Jeffrey Martin. 'She is a true star who has found great success on the stage and in a variety of media. Not only that, she’s a talented artist and a generous woman. We are thrilled to present her in concert at BYU at last.”
Chenoweth's film, television and stage career has earned her a Tony Award for her role as Sally in 'You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown,' and a Primetime Emmy Award for her role as Olive Snook in the TV series 'Pushing Daisies.' Chenoweth has also received several other awards and nominations, including a Tony Award nomination for her role as Glinda in the musical 'Wicked.'