Kristin Chenoweth

Kristi Dawn Chenoweth was born in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, on July 24, 1968. The diminutive cutie discovered her love for song at church, where she belted out hymns louder than the rest of the congregation combined. At the age of 12, she sang in front of the entire Southern Baptist church, and found that she loved the experience. Music and performing soon became her passion. Thinking that opera would be her key to a career, Kristin set out for the arduous Metropolitan Opera National Council auditions. There, she won the "most talented up-and-coming singer" award and was invited, on scholarship, to attend Philadelphia's Academy of Vocal Arts. Kristin ended up declining the offer, however, upon learning that she had been chosen for an off-Broadway show that she had auditioned for on a whim. This first gig sent Kristin off for New York City. Kristin's first show, Animal Crackers, debuted in 1993 at New Jersey's Paper Mill Playhouse. Her Broadway debut came four years later, with a significant part in a Richard Rodgers Theatre production of Steel Pier. Roles in Strike up the Band, Moliere's Scapin and A New Brain followed, all leading up to her defining Broadway role: that of Sally for the 1998-'99 presentation of You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown. The role seemed tailor-made for Kristin, and it won her a "Best Featured Actress in a Musical" award at the 1999 Tonys. This led to her first TV role later that same year, a lead in the miniseries Paramour. A small-screen production of Annie followed, where Kristin starred alongside Kathy Bates. Even with her television success budding, Kristin didn't neglect the stage, and she continued impressing people with her comedy in the Broadway hit Epic Proportions.

Upcoming:

- Untitled Kristin Chenoweth/Dusty Springfield Project (2008) - Dusty Springfield

- Tinker Bell (2008) (voice) - Rosetta

- Space Chimps (2008) (voice)

- Rapunzel (2009) (voice) - Rapunzel