THE HANGOVER REPORT – KRISTIN CHENOWETH’S love letter to Broadway is sweet and sassy

Kristin Chenoweth in "My Love Letter to Broadway" at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre

Kristin Chenoweth in “My Love Letter to Broadway” at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre

Kristin Chenoweth is at an interesting juncture in her career – no longer Broadway’s brassy ingénue, and not quite ready to graduate to a more mature persona. Therefore, why not put on a show of her own? And that’s exactly what Ms. Chenoweth has savvily done in her latest foray onto the Great White Way.

Entitled My Love Letter to Broadway, the sweet and sassy concert at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre is not surprisingly stocked with Broadway standards (“Bring Him Home”, “Popular”, “Losing My Mind” … all gorgeously performed).  The show does, however, also includes some of Ms. Chenoweth’s other personal favorites, ranging from pop (a moving “The Heart of the Matter”) to spirituals (a rousing rendition of “Upon this Rock”). Those of you who have seen her in concert in the past will recognize much of the material, but it’s a distinct pleasure to see her uniquely jaunty banter and hear her effortlessly ringing soprano – Ms. Chenoweth has never sounded better – ignite a Broadway stage.

The evening is simply but enjoyably directed by Richard Jay-Alexander and features assured music direction by Mary-Mitchell Campbell. Ms. Chenoweth is generously backed by an excellent six-piece band, who are suitably flexible to give her exactly the sound she needs for each number (arrangements are by Ms. Campbell). Each performance features a surprise guest artist and a different local choir. At the performance I attended, the brash Lea DeLaria impressed with her forceful jazz vocals and a young choir from Morristown, NJ appeared ecstatic to be a part of Ms. Chenoweth’s show.

RECOMMENDED

 

KRISTIN CHENOWETH: MY LOVE LETTER TO BROADWAY
Concert
Lunt-Fontanne Theatre
2 hours, 10 minutes (with one intermission)
Through November 13

Categories: Broadway, Music, Theater

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