Chenoweth at the Granada

I may be prejudice since Broadway is my favorite thing, but I think the best concert I’ve ever seen for UCSB Arts & Lectures was Kristin Chenoweth. She’s a teeny tiny thing (4’ 11”) with a mighty voice that reaches the rafters. And she thinks we Santa Barbarians are so lucky to have Hidden Valley Ranch here where the dressing was invented. As she exclaimed, “It’s my favorite in the whole world.” She even brought a bottle with her and set it on the grand piano to prove it.

There was a meet and greet in the Founder’s Room after the concert. Chenoweth patiently had her photograph taken with all the Producer’s Circle members and especially sponsors Luci and Richard Janssen and Mandy and Daniel Hochman. My sorority in college was Gamma Phi Beta. There were ten UCSB Gamma Phi’s at the concert. They were super excited and told me, “Kristin is a Gamma Phi too.”

Kristin is from Oklahoma and told us in high school she used to sing along to cassettes. Remember those? Since those days she has earned an Emmy and been nominated for several more. She’s also won a Tony and a Drama Desk Award plus a People’s Choice and much more. She has performed all over the world including New York’s Carnegie Hall and London’s Royal Albert Hall. Her new album is For the Girls. In home state Oklahoma she runs a Broadway Boot camp where the kids get mentoring, take classes, and hold performances. Her advice to young people, “If you can imagine yourself doing something else, do it. If you can’t imagine doing anything else but Broadway, we’re waiting for you.”