Chenoweth was born in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. She graduated from Oklahoma City University, where she earned a bachelor's degree in musical theater and a master's degree in opera performance. She is a member of Gamma Phi Beta Sorority. In 1991, she won the title of "Miss OCU" and went on to win second runner-up in the Miss Oklahoma pageant. She performed at Opryland USA. She won a "most talented up-and-coming singer" award in the Metropolitan Opera National Council auditions, which came with a full scholarship to Philadelphia's Academy of Vocal Arts; she turned down the scholarship when she auditioned and won a part on an off-Broadway show. She also enjoyed watching her boyfriend at the time (professional baseball player Shawn Bryant) pitch.
Chenoweth made her Broadway debut in a production of Molière's Scapin starring Bill Irwin, followed in the spring of 1997 by the unsuccessful musical Steel Pier by John Kander and Fred Ebb, for which she won a Theatre World award. The following season, she appeared in the City Center Encores! production of the George and Ira Gershwin musical Strike Up the Band and the Lincoln Center Theater production of William Finn's A New Brain.
During the 1998–1999 season, she performed the role of Sally in the Broadway revival of You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown, sweeping the Tony, Drama Desk, and Outer Critics Circle Awards as the season's Best Featured Actress in a Musical. She then starred in the Broadway comedy Epic Proportions, followed by appearances in ABC's television adaptation of the musical Annie (as Lily St. Regis), and in the leading role of Daisy Gamble in the City Center Encores! production of On a Clear Day You Can See Forever.
In 2003, Chenoweth performed songs from her album Let Yourself Go in concert for Lincoln Center's 5th American Songbook. She also performed in City Center Encores! 10th Anniversary Bash.
In London, she was involved in Divas at Donmar for director Sam Mendes, then appeared in the Actor's Fund Benefit Concert of the musical Funny Girl in New York City.
Chenoweth was a part of ABC's An American Celebration at Ford's Theater with Kelsey Grammer, NBC's Salute to the Olympic Winners, The Kennedy Center Gala honoring Julie Andrews, and an episode of Frasier on NBC. She also starred as Marian Paroo in the ABC television production of Meredith Willson's The Music Man, opposite Matthew Broderick.
In October 2003, Chenoweth returned to Broadway in Wicked, a musical about the early years of the witches of Oz. She was nominated for a Tony as Best Leading Actress in a Musical for her performance as Glinda, but lost to co-star Idina Menzel (who played Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West).
Chenoweth's role in Wicked also brought the opportunity to co-star in Nora Ephron's 2005 film version of Bewitched. The film's star, Nicole Kidman, had attended a performance of Wicked and was so impressed with Chenoweth's charisma and stage presence that Kidman requested to Ephron that Chenoweth be cast in the film. Chenoweth got the part of Maria Kelly, Kidman's character's friend, neighbor, and personal assistant.
Chenoweth has also performed leading roles at the Goodspeed Opera House and the Guthrie Theatre, and she was chosen by the late Jerome Robbins as the guest soloist in his West Side Story Suite of Dances at New York City Ballet. She also starred in a short-lived semi-biographical sitcom, Kristin, for NBC. It was a mid-season replacement in 2001 that co-starred Jon Tenney, but it was cancelled after only six episodes.
Beginning in the sixth season (2004–2005) of The West Wing, Chenoweth has had a recurring role playing media consultant Annabeth Schott; as of the seventh season she is featured in the opening credits. In 2006, she is scheduled to appear in a remarkable five films including The Pink Panther, R.V., and Stranger Than Fiction. Chenoweth then will star in Asphalt Beach and in a bio-pic of Dusty Springfield.
Chenoweth is a Christian, but was disinvited from a Women of Faith conference in September 2005 because of her positive attitude toward gays and lesbians. She released an album in April 2005 called As I Am that's a mixture of hymns and contemporary Christian music, with arrangements that sound more like adult contemporary.
Chenoweth is 150 cm (4 ft 11 in) tall. She appeared in the March 2006 issue of FHM.
I'll Be Home for Christmas
Kristin Chenoweth Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Even more than I usually do
And although I know it's a long road back
I promise you
I'll be home for Christmas
You can count on me
Please have snow and mistletoe
Christmas Eve will find me
Where the love light gleams
I'll be home for Christmas
If only in my dreams
Christmas Eve will find me
Where the love light gleams
I'll be home for Christmas
If only in my dreams, if only in my dreams
The lyrics of Kristin Chenoweth's song "I'll Be Home For Christmas" express the longing and yearning to return home for Christmas. The song evokes feelings of nostalgia and warmth for a place that is deeply cherished. The first two lines express the significance of Christmas and how it makes the singer's love for her home and family even stronger than usual. Despite acknowledging the long journey home, the singer unequivocally promises her return. The chorus "I'll be home for Christmas, you can count on me" further reinforces this commitment to returning home for the holidays. The singer dreams of a snowy Christmas with presents under the tree and mistletoe.
The second verse portrays the singer imagining the light of love shining in her family's home on Christmas Eve. This line connotes a metaphorical warmth and acceptance that is unique to one's own family. While she may not necessarily be able to make it home in person, she will be there in spirit, even if only in her dreams. The final repetition of the chorus is sung with heightened emotion, expressing a deep connection to the idea of home and the joy that it brings.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm dreaming tonight of a place that I love
I am fixated on thoughts of an adored place, as I am prone to do
Even more than I usually do
It's more intense than the usual level of sentiment I have about this place
And although I know it's a long road back
Even though I know that the journey back is arduous
I promise you
I assure you that I will make it there
I'll be home for Christmas
I will be present at home during the Christmas season
You can count on me
You may rely on me to show up
Please have snow and mistletoe
It's my hope that there will be snow and the customary decorations
And presents 'round the tree
I'd like to see the gift-wrapped surprises arranged under the tree
Christmas Eve will find me
On Christmas Eve, I'll be situated
Where the love light gleams
In a place particularly full of affection and warmth
I'll be home for Christmas
I'll be among loved ones for the holiday, so long as circumstances permit
If only in my dreams
It's possible that the reality of making it back is out of reach, but I'll imagine myself there anyhow
Christmas Eve will find me
On Christmas Eve, I will be settled
Where the love light gleams
In a place replete with fondness and tenderness
I'll be home for Christmas
Provided everything works out, I'll be with family and friends for the festive occasion
If only in my dreams, if only in my dreams
Whether or not it turns out to actually happen, I'll conjure up a vision of getting home for Christmas
Lyrics © CARLIN AMERICA INC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Buck Ram, Walter Kent, Kim Gannon
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@WmsonTree
WOW! Kristin Chenoweth=musical perfection! This video (along with Christmas Island) shows Kristin's vocal magic. Her voice is unique and so rich with feeling. So full of emotion. She has a way of painting a picture with her singing. It is truly a God given gift. A beautiful lady with a beautiful voice. KRISTIN IS THE BEST! Her songs give you energy, hope, and a positive attitude; and at the same time leaving you breathless. A SONG has no better friend than Kristin Chenoweth!
@larslaurell
So true!
@CR-qo7oz
I just love Kristin Chenoweth in both acting & singing. Such an A-list actress.
@officialkristinchenoweth
🥰
@brunaantonelli8964
Missing home more than ever and just gotten this video. Oh my heart. Thank you KC for such a wonderful singing. I love you.
@SuperiorJackets2007
This my favorite Christmas song of all time! With deployments happening in my family all the time, each year this song gets nearer and dearer! With her singing it, how can tears not come to your eyes??!! So soulful and beautiful!!
@peter_bazinet
How does such a commanding and magnificent voice come out of such a teeny tiny human being??? I hate myself. . . . . .
@SteveAndrade623
Her voice is such a beautiful gift. Most singers (pop,Broadway,opera) only tend to sound their best when singing the style they do the most.They might sound okay in another style but it is usually obvious that while the person has a good voice the style of music they are doing is not their natural style. Kristin, on the other hand, moves to any singing genre and sounds completely comfortable. It's as if whatever style she is singing at the moment has always been her natural style.
@sallyfox9389
Kristin has such a magnificent voice.
@lisaschaffel266
Kristin Chenoweth has a beautiful singing voice, sings like an Angel