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.
Let Yourself Go
Kristin Chenoweth Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
As you listen to them play don't you get a glow?
If you step out on the floor
You'll forget your trouble
If you go into your dance
You'll forget your woe
So:
Get together
Let the dance floor feel your leather
Step as lightly as a feather
Let yourself go
Come
Hit the timber
Loosen up and start to limber
Can't you hear that hot marimba?
Let yourself go
Let yourself go
Relax
And let yourself go
Relax
You've got yourself tied up in a knot
The night is cold but the music's hot
So
Come
Cuddle closer
Don't you dare to answer "No, sir"
Butcher, banker, clerk and grocer
Let yourself go
The lyrics to Kristin Chenoweth's song, "Let Yourself Go," encourage people to forget their worries and fully embrace the joy of dancing. The opening lines ask the listener if they feel a jolt of energy as they listen to the band play, suggesting that music has an almost magical effect on people. The following lines encourage the listener to take action, urging them to step out onto the dance floor and forget their troubles. Through the lyrics' repetition of "let yourself go," the song emphasizes the importance of letting loose and enjoying the moment.
The chorus of the song encourages the listener to fully immerse themselves in the music and the experience of dancing. The lyrics suggest that by stepping lightly and moving freely, the dancer will feel as light as a feather. The next verse takes this idea further, calling attention to the marimba, a percussion instrument known for its bright, upbeat sound. By highlighting the energy and fun of the music, the singer encourages the listener to join in and experience the joy of dancing firsthand.
The final verses of the song continue to encourage the listener to embrace the moment and let themselves go. The lyrics address people from all walks of life, from butchers to bankers, emphasizing that everyone can enjoy the freedom and joy that dancing brings. The song concludes with the refrain of "let yourself go," reminding the listener that they have the power to release themselves from their worries and fully enjoy the present moment.
Line by Line Meaning
As you listen to the band don't you get a bubble?
Do you not feel a sense of joy and happiness as you listen to the music being played?
As you listen to them play don't you get a glow?
Do you not experience a feeling of warmth and joy as the music fills the air?
If you step out on the floor You'll forget your trouble
By dancing, you can get lost in the moment and forget all your worries and problems.
If you go into your dance You'll forget your woe
By letting yourself go and dancing freely, you will no longer feel burdened by your troubles and sorrows.
Come Get together Let the dance floor feel your leather
Join others on the dance floor and let your energy and enthusiasm be felt throughout the room.
Step as lightly as a feather Let yourself go
Dance with grace, ease, and abandon, free from any worries or inhibitions.
Come Hit the timber Loosen up and start to limber
Join in the fun and excitement of dancing, let yourself be free and flexible.
Can't you hear that hot marimba? Let yourself go
Let the music move you and inspire you, surrender to your instincts and move with the rhythm.
Relax And let yourself go
Release any tension or stress in your body, and let yourself be fully immersed in the music and dance.
You've got yourself tied up in a knot The night is cold but the music's hot So
Even if you feel burdened or stressed by life, the warmth and energy of the music and dance can still cut through that and lift your spirits.
Come Cuddle closer Don't you dare to answer "No, sir" Butcher, banker, clerk and grocer Let yourself go
Let go of any inhibitions or judgements, and allow yourself to fully embrace the joy and freedom of dance along with people of all walks of life.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: IRVING BERLIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind