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.
What Child Is This
Kristin Chenoweth Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
On Mary's lap is sleeping?
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet
While shepherds watch are keeping
This, this is Christ the King
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing
Haste, haste to bring him Lord
So bring Him incense, gold and myrrh
Come peasant king to own Him
The King of kings salvation brings
Let loving hearts enthrone Him
This, this is Christ the King
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing
Haste, haste to bring him Lord
The Babe, the Son of Mary
Raise, raise the song on high
The Virgin sings Her lullaby
Joy, joy for Christ is born
The Babe, the Son of Mary
The opening lines of Kristin Chenoweth's song "What Is This Feeling" are taken from the traditional Christmas carol "What Child Is This?" These verses describe the birth of Jesus Christ in a manger in Bethlehem. The lyrics are written in the form of questions, as if the singer is seeking answers about the identity and significance of this child. The opening lines ask "What Child is this who laid to rest/On Mary's lap is sleeping?" This question is followed by a description of the angelic announcement of the birth and the shepherds who come to pay tribute to the newborn King.
However, the carol is not just a retelling of the famous Nativity story, but is instead an invitation to worship the Christ child. The chorus declares this child to be "Christ the King," and urges the listener to bring gifts to Him, just as the wise men brought gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. The song also invites the listener to enthrone Christ in their hearts, recognizing Him as the King of kings and the bringer of salvation.
Overall, "What Is This Feeling" is a celebration of the miracle of Christmas and a call to worship the Christ child. It encourages listeners to reflect on the traditional Christmas story and to recognize the deeper meaning and significance behind this beloved holiday.
Line by Line Meaning
What Child is this who laid to rest
Whose child is this that is sleeping peacefully on Mary's lap?
On Mary's lap is sleeping?
Why is this child sleeping and what does it mean for Mary?
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet
Who is this special child that even angels are singing songs for?
While shepherds watch are keeping
As the shepherds stand guard and watch over the sleeping child.
This, this is Christ the King
This is the one they call Christ the King.
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing
The child is being guarded by shepherds and celebrated by angels.
Haste, haste to bring him Lord
Rush to bring the Lord this child.
The Babe, the Son of Mary
This child is the baby son of Mary.
So bring Him incense, gold and myrrh
Present to him gifts of incense, gold, and myrrh.
Come peasant king to own Him
Even those of humble means can claim him as their king.
The King of kings salvation brings
This king brings salvation, even to those who rule as kings themselves.
Let loving hearts enthrone Him
Allow your hearts to be filled with love and awe at his presence.
Raise, raise the song on high
Sing out loud and proudly to celebrate his birth.
The Virgin sings Her lullaby
Even his own mother, the Virgin Mary, sings him a lullaby.
Joy, joy for Christ is born
We should feel immense joy at the birth of Christ.
The Babe, the Son of Mary
For He is the newborn baby and the proud son of Mary.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Cheryl Lindsay
Kristin has such a beautiful voice! I really felt the reverence and love she was singing!
Katherine M.
Takes me back to my childhood in Idaho Falls on Christmas Eve when we played the Christmas records...including the old Messiah one with the blue and gold cover. The other ones I loved were “The Joy of Christmas”, and “The Glorious Sound of Christmas”. You can still buy them on CD. We also liked the Boston Pops, Johnny Mathis and Nat King Cole. His daughter, Natalie, sang with the choir one Christmas!!
Patrick Weskamp
Kristin is one of my favorites!!! A stupendous singer and actress! We need more of you!
Linda Weaver Clarke
Kristin has such an angelic voice when she sings this song. I love it.
jayme peddycoart
💖Beautiful song. Kristin is wonderful.
adam ahquin
Always loved her voice!!!!!
Rayane
Amo tanto essa canção, amo canções de Natal 💕
Joyce Cox
Beautiful
Rebecca Hancock
True honest and humbling voice. I respect her and her abilities so much.
Prank Girl
This is all around so beautiful!