First Look: HAIRSPRAY Live!

Get your first look at the upcoming Hairspray Live! set to air December 7 at 8PM ET/PT featuring an all-star cast: Harvey Fierstein as "Edna Turnblad," Jennifer Hudson as "Motormouth Mabel," Martin Short as "Wilbur Turnblad," Derek Hough as "Corny Collins," Ariana Grande as "Penny Pingleton," Andrea Martin as "Prudy Pingleton" and Kristin Chenoweth as "Velma Von Tussle."

I know the show well and I have to say this is dream casting across the board. I can't imagine any better than this.

In addition to being the best "Edna Turnblad" ever (Tony Award don't you know?) Harvey Fierstein will provide a new teleplay and original Broadway choreographer Jerry Mitchell (“Kinky Boots,” “On Your Feet,” "The Full Monty," "Legally Blonde") will bring the moves as choreographer. I have to admit I missed Jerry's choreography in the movie version.

Las Vegas: Smith Center books Broadway and TV star Kristin Chenoweth for New Years' Eve concert

The Smith Center for the Performing Arts has announced Tony® and Emmy® Award-winning sensation Kristin Chenoweth will perform a special New Year’s Eve concert inside Reynolds Hall beginning at 7:30 p.m.

The evening will feature Chenoweth performing an array of her most memorable songs and Broadway show tunes, including music from “Wicked,” “Promises, Promises” and “Glee.” 

“I am so delighted to celebrate the New Year with a performance at The Smith Center,” said Chenoweth. “What better place for a New Year's Eve party than Las Vegas!”

Chenoweth, an LGBT ally and favorite, has had an extraordinarily diverse career including her Tony-winning performance in “You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown” and originating the role of Glinda the Good Witch in the smash hit “Wicked,” which earned her a leading actress Tony Award Nomination.

Chenoweth’s critically acclaimed performance in the ABC series “Pushing Daisies” won her an Emmy Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series.  Her guest appearance on Fox’s comedy “Glee,” earned her two Emmy Award nominations and a People’s Choice Award for Favorite TV Guest Star.  Kristin also starred as Annabeth Schott on the hit drama “The West Wing."

The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. on New Year’s Eve; Tuesday, Dec. 31.

Tickets go on sale Friday, Oct. 11 at 10 a.m. at The Smith Center Box Office, located at 361 Symphony Park Avenue, by phone at 702-749-2000 or 808-326-6868 (TTY) and online at TheSmithCenter.com.

Kristen Chenoweth and Hollywood Bowl audience guest Sarah Horn sing "For Good"

What an incredible dream come true for Sarah Horn. Plucked out of the audience at the Hollywood Bowl and this happens.

Just fabulous...

Here's another view of the performance that stays more close-up:

UPDATE: Sarah has posted her recollection of how this all happened on her Facebook page in a note. Take a read to see how this happened and what it felt like:

Here's the story. It is not abridged so I'll just wait right here while you pop some popcorn for the epic post to come.


... Popcorn ready? Here we go:


I had been counting down to this concert for months. My family and a friend, Mike Kestler, arrived at the bowl with seats in different sections and my dad surprised us with boxed seats. When we got into the bowl, there was ticket confusion with seats and party numbers so we ended up switching boxes with another party and sitting up in the very front, right in front of the pasarel. Count that - two spontaneous moves from where were were originally supposed to be sitting.


The concert was going wonderfully and my party of four raved about the performance during Intermission as we munched on the crackers and cheese I had smuggled into the Bowl in my purse.


Toward the end of the second half of the performance, Kristin wanders on to the pasarel. She held a mic up to a lady in front of me and asked if she knew the song "For Good." Nope. I took the chance, as I was directly behind Kristin, to stand up and wave and say, "I know the song!"


This is not like me - to jump up and wave my arms like a crazy person and raise my voice at a celebrity. As soon as she turned to look at me, I say right back down... and calmly said, "Hiiiii."


One of Kristin's backup singers held a mic up to my face so I could answer some questions:

“What’s you’re name?” - “Sarah.”

"Who's your favorite broadway star?" I sarcastically hummm as if it's a difficult question to answer.

"Do you know the song 'For Good'?" - "Yes. It's one of my favorites." This seemed to peak her interest.


After this, she moved down the line and asked a guy if he knew the song and bantered with him for a few seconds. Afterwards, she said something about going back to pick me because I was a girl. Then, she invited me up on stage.


I sat there for a moment, stunned. Then the backup singer motioned for me to get up. I shot up out of my chair as my heart leaped up past my throat and started beating in my ears. I don't really remember what happened between the box and when I first set foot onstage except that there was now a microphone in my hand.


The first foot I set onstage was my left one. My knee slightly gave way as I realized just what I was stepping into but I caught myself before I think anyone noticed. I walked up to Kristin Chenoweth and the only thought in my head was, "Oh. My. God." I remember feeling the backup singer push me so I walked faster. I don't remember anything Kristin said to fill the time it took me to get up there because my heart was beating too loud. And let me just tell you, that is a loooooong stage to walk across.


When I got to Kristin, she moved me to her left side and reminded me that I would be singing the part of Elphaba, twice. I needed the reminder. My mind was swimming. I didn't notice until after I'd left the Bowl that I was wearing a green shirt and a floor length green skirt with straight hair and black rimmed glasses. How much more Elphaba-looking can a regular gal get?


When she had planted me in my spot next to her, I remember bringing the microphone to my lips and breathily quivering, “I’m on stage with Kristin Chenoweth,” still in complete shock. Insert audience laugh here.


She asked me if I did musical theatre and if I liked it, to which I said yes, and asked what I do for a living. I told her I was a voice teacher to which she responded by calling me a “real hero” and giving me a hug. She's got a strong, hearty hug for such a tiny person.


As the music started, she wrapped her arm around mine. I recognized at that moment that her incredible shortness matches her incredible friendliness so I responded in kind by briefly resting my head on top of hers to let her know I was with her. The audience found that moment endearing and laughed again.


When she was done with the first verse she said, “Still me!” so I’d know not to sing so I pressed my lips together and held my mic down like a good girl until it was my turn. As the time for Elphaba’s verse came, I lifted my microphone to my mouth, looked her straight in the eye and sang the first of my lines. She leaned back and dropped her jaw. She knew I was a voice teacher but didn’t know if I did well in the execution or not. As far as she knew, I could have been tone deaf.


I heard the roar of the crowd during that first line but then it all faded away. I think I’ve seen it done cinematically before but I never imagined my perception of a performance would appear like this. The 10,000+ people of the Bowl faded away. There was no one else there. No noise. No people. I could heard the beautiful music of the orchestra but there was no one onstage, just Kristin and I. I reached my hand out as I sang the word “friend” and she stepped forward and took it. There was such joy, elation, a spontaneous musical spark that we shared in that moment. It was unlike anything I have ever experienced.


As we dueted in harmony at the end of the verse, Kristin throws her head back and says, “Holy crap. Harmony.” and we continue the song, soaring in our independent melodies. It was then that I was once again aware of the crowd. I could feel them traveling along with us in this unexpected musical journey. I was not singing for the crowd as a performer usually does but was singing FOR them, in place of them. I was them and they were me. I was up there doing what every single person in that audience wished they could do. I cannot remember another time where I felt more connected to a body of people and at peace with where I was and what I was doing in a single moment.


As the song got into it’s final lines, Kristin and I looked into each others eyes, held hands once again, and sang the end in perfect unison. Before the last note was finished by the orchestra, she yanked me down into a hug and the audience erupted into thunderous applause, everyone on their feet. Kristin gave me the first bow, told me to take another one, then we bowed together. As I was exiting, the audience was still thunderously applauding and Kristin motioned for me to take one or two more before I blew her a kiss and was whisked off into the wings. I was in shock at what just happened. I remember someone handing me a water bottle and telling me to come backstage after the performance and a man guiding me down a ramp with a flashlight. When I got back to my box, I sat down in shock and looked over at my friend, Mike. Mike Kestler, bless his heart, got the whole thing on video on his iPhone.


Apparently, I missed everything Kristin said when I went offstage. I’m getting what happened next from my parents: It took her a good 30 seconds to recover afterward before she said, “Remind me never to pick someone who sings better than I do. Seriously, people. This voice is teaching our young people.” Mike got that last sentence on video.


After the concert, I was swarmed with people who wanted my business card, wanted to take pictures with me, wanted to know if I was an audience plant because it was just too perfect. People came up to me telling me I’d given them goosebumps, made them cry.


Paul Geller, Production Director at both the Hollywood Bowl and the Walt Disney Concert Hall pulled me aside afterward. He said that the production staff is very picky about the quality of performers that they allow on their stage and that what was produced in that song was better than anything they could have planned. He took down my contact information because at some point during the last three songs, he got a phone call from the LA Times wanting to know if I was an audience plant and asked my permission to pass on my contact information for them to speak to me directly, if needed.


When I went backstage, the first face I saw was that of Darren Criss who started immediately chanting my name. You may know him as Blaine Anderson from Glee. There was a sea of other famous people that all sort of blended together in a smoothie of overwhelming awesomeness. I took a picture with Darren and later with Kristin once I’d made it to the end of the receiving line and was directed to exit out the back. My mind pictured the door as a subtle back exit. Nope. This was the stage door, lined with people waiting to catch a closer look at Kristin. When I exited, I heard an en masse gasp and people calling my name. Apparently, I’m a minor Hollywood celebrity now.


We all eventually made it out of there and now my face hurts from smiling but I can’t stop. The experience was so surreal. I know I will wake up thinking it was all a dream but then I’ll see the pictures and the video and realize that it was really real.


On the walk to our car, my father reminded me that he had prayed 11 years ago that I would one day sing with Kristin Chenoweth. I smiled an even larger smile, grasped his arm, and asked him to keep praying impossible prayers because they just might come true.

Wicked fans - Mika and Kristin Chenoweth sing "Popular Song"

Guess who popped up and dueted with Mika at his show in NYC on his "Popular Song?"

Oh, yeah, Miss "Wicked" Glinda herself, Kristin Chenoweth.

From Next Magazine:

As part of his intimate North American tour to support his new album The Origin of Love, out singer Mika played Le Poisson Rouge in Greenwich Village last night. He had a little (about five feet) surprise for the audience though, when he brought out Kristin Chenoweth to help him sing his "Popular Song" which samples "Popular" from the musical Wicked.

Chenoweth originated the part of Glinda on Broadway (and sang the song) in the show, which Stephen Schwartz specifically gave Mika permission to sample on his new album.

Listen to the original track by Mika here.

Anderson Cooper talks about coming out with Kristen Chenoweth

Says Anderson: "It just got to the point where — I’ve been torn for a long time between a desire as a reporter to just do my job and be known as a reporter — and at the same time I do think visibility is important. I do think that the tide of history only moves forward when everyone is fully visible.

"I didn’t want to send a message that there was anything I was ashamed about or unhappy about or not comfortable with. That was the main thing for me. I appreciate all the support I got and all the encouragement. I am the same person I always was, I do the job just the same way."