'Candy Land': Who is Kristin Chenoweth? Here's how the musical star went from Broadway to the big screen
A native of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, Kristin Chenoweth is best known for her role as Glinda in the acclaimed Broadway musical 'Wicked'. She sang gospel music in local churches as a child and studied opera before turning towards musical theatre. Chenoweth has a bachelor's degree in musical theater and a master's degree in opera performance. Her early stage works included ‘Gypsy’, ‘The Sound of Music’, ‘Promises, Promises’, and ‘The King and I’.
In 1991, she was the second-runner up at the Miss Oklahoma pageant. She also participated in the Metropolitan Opera National Council auditions, which earned her scholarship to Philadelphia's Academy of Vocal Arts. However, she gave it up when in 1993, she auditioned for Paper Mill Playhouse production of the musical 'Animal Crackers' and won the part of Arabella Rittenhouse.
Her Broadway debut as Precious McGuire in the 1997 musical "Steel Pier" won her a Theatre World award. Two years later, she won a Tony Award for her performance as Sally Brown in 'You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown', and in 2003, she earned wide recognition for originating the role of Glinda in the musical 'Wicked'.
Chenoweth has also recorded a number of solo albums, beginning with the entertaining 2001 standards collection ‘Let Yourself Go’. Her tiny frame and girl-next-door persona belie her powerful and dynamic voice. Her other albums include ‘As I Am’, ‘A Lovely Way to Spend Christmas’, ‘Some Lessons Learned’, ‘Coming Home’, ‘The Art of Elegance’ and ‘For the Girls’.
On TV, Chenoweth made her acting debut in the made-for-TV movie 'Annie' (1999) which was followed by guest stints on such series as 'Frasier', 'Baby Bob' and 'The Music Man'. She rose to stardom for her portrayal of Annabeth Schott in the serial political drama 'The West Wing'.
Besides, she was also known for her roles as Olive Snook on 'Pushing Daisies' for which she won Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series, and as April Rhodes in the hit musical 'Glee' which won her a Satellite Award for Outstanding Guest Star.
On the big screen, the actress who was born as Kristi Dawn Chenoweth on July 24, 1968, was best recognized for playing character roles in ‘Bewitched’ (2005), ‘The Pink Panther’ (2006) and ‘RV’ (2006). She, moreover, had lent her voice to ‘Tinker Bell’, ‘Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure’, ‘Tinker Bell and the Great Fairy Rescue’, as well as ‘Rio 2’.
Chenoweth is making a comeback on TV with Food Network’s competition series called ‘Candy Land’. The six-episode series will feature five groups of cake and sugar artistes, who create showpieces in order to get a chance to win a grand prize of $25,000. The players must make their way through 'Candy Land', seeking out different flavors and unique ingredients as they try to reach their ultimate destination: King Kandy’s Castle.
“I’m so excited for the world to see these talented confectionery artists and the incredible set,” said Chenoweth, in a prepared statement. “And I can’t wait to wear a dress again.” Chenoweth has appeared on Food Network before, making a visit to the weekend program 'Trisha’s Southern Kitchen', hosted by Trisha Yearwood.