Kristin Chenoweth: Coming Home

On Thursday January 14, the new show "Kristin Chenoweth: Coming Home," came to the Broward Center for the performing Arts in Fort Lauderdale. If there was any doubt at all that this Broadway chanteuse is one of the greatest living pop singers, Chenoweth dispelled it from her very first number, "Sweet and Hot" and went on through some 20 more numbers over the course of two hours to prove it over and over again.

She has a voice that, in classical terms, could be classified as a coloratura soprano, but she is able to sing everything from opera to country to Broadway, to rock and roll to gospel. Part of her genius is her sheer versatility as a singer and as an actress.

"Coming Home" is a very personal show for Chenoweth and features songs that have meant something in her life -- songs she has grown up with, songs that have helped her career and songs that touch her emotions as well as those of the audience.

Stephen Foster's "Hard Times Come Again No More, " Dolly Parton's "Little Sparrow" and the ballad "Fathers and Daughters" were just a few of the more emotional moments of the show.

The Stephen Foster and Dolly Parton songs were examples of how well Chenoweth can adapt her voice to country music. Her 2011 album "Some Lessons Learned," which is primarily a country album, went largely unnoticed by Nashville and country music radio, but Chenoweth's Oklahoma roots provide her with the natural twang and accent to make her able to sing country with the best of them.

Of course no Chenoweth show would be complete without "Popular" from the musical "Wicked," for which Chenoweth was nominated for a Tony Award. (She had won a Tony five years earlier in 1999 for the less than successful musical "You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown.")

She also included the Broadway favorites "Bring Him Home" from "Les Miserables" and "I Could Have Danced All Night" from "My Fair Lady." The latter was finished off with a glorious and sparkling high C at the end which brought cheers from the audience.

In a tribute to Judy Garland she sang "Over the Rainbow," and her cover of Liza Minnelli's "Maybe This Time" from the movie musical "Cabaret" was a moment of high voltage Broadway belt.

Chenoweth has a great voice and she knows how to use it.
This concert has the added bonus of being impeccably produced. Matt Berman did the lighting and sound design and it was flawless. The lights play a large part in a concert -- more than most people would imagine. Berman's designs kept they colors flowing across the stage in a beautiful pattern that highlighted the moments in Chenoweth's show. They were never distracting but they were noticeably effective. The sound was crystal clear throughout the performance.

Chenoweth was also backed by a great team of musicians: Damien Bassmen on drums, Eric Davis on guitar, Brian Hamm on bass and Justin Smith on violin.

Pianist Mary-Mitchell Campbell was more of a duet partner than a backing musician. Campbell sang duets with Chenoweth and backing vocals as well as provided expert musical direction and accompaniment. Campbell's voice has just enough similarity to Chenoweth's to blend well while still being distinctive on its own. It is obvious that the two women are friends and when they sing together you can hear it in their voices.

In a world of one-hit wonders and singers who lack any sort of versatility at all, it is a wonderful thing to see someone like Chenoweth who, literally, can sing just about anything you ask her to with conviction, style and grace. She is truly one of the great voices of our time and if she comes to your city, don't miss your chance to see her.

"Kristin Chenoweth: Coming Home" played on Jan. 14 at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, 201 SW 5th Ave. in Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312. For tickets and information, call 954-462-0222 or visit browardcenter.org. For information on Kristin Chenoweth and future tour dates, visit http://officialkristinchenoweth.com/tour.