Chenoweth at the height of stardom

Kristin Chenoweth continues to be one of pop culture’s most delightful dichotomies.

A pint-sized powerhouse. A self-proclaimed pocket diva. A perennial reminder that big things come in small packages.

The actress, singer and Broadway superstar continues to live large and shatter whatever erroneous expectations her short stature (she clocks in at 4 feet, 11 inches) might imply. Whether she is originating her now signature role as Glinda in the Broadway sensation “Wicked” or earning an Emmy Award as the quirky waitress Olive in “Pushing Daisies,” Chenoweth bubbles effortlessly to the surface with each new project.

She brings her concert tour to Gallo Center for the Arts on Thursday, March 24.

The singer, known as Cheno to her fans, grew up in a suburb outside of Tulsa, Okla., and sang in her church growing up. She earned her bachelor’s degree in musical theater and master’s degree in opera performance at Oklahoma City University before moving to New York City to pursue her dreams.

In 1997 she landed her first Broadway show, “Steel Pier,” and two years later she earned a Tony Award for her second, “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown.” But it was 2003’s “Wicked,” which starred her as Glinda alongside Idina Menzel as Elphaba, that helped shoot her into the stratosphere.

Chenoweth earned another Tony nomination for her work in the musical and parlayed her stage success into a series of successful small-screen roles. She was a recurring character as a media consultant on “The West Wing”; then she landed a starring role in the fantastical series “Pushing Daisies,” which earned her the outstanding supporting actress in a comedy series Emmy in 2009. She has also made memorable guest appearances on shows like “Glee” and “The Good Wife.”

Last year, in addition to co-hosting the Tony Awards with Alan Cumming, Chenoweth returned to the Broadway stage herself with the revival of the madcap musical “On the Twentieth Century.” Set in the roaring 1920s, on a luxury train called the Twentieth Century, it follows a broke theater producer named Oscar (played by Peter Gallagher) who uses the ride to try to persuade glamorous Hollywood star Lily (played by Chenoweth) to take a role in his new, nonexistent production.

Last July, Chenoweth truly cemented her status by receiving a star on The Hollywood Walk of Fame.

The multi-talented performer spoke with The Modesto Bee via an email exchange about her Broadway career, her defying expectations and what she tells young people looking to follow in her footsteps.

Q: How many concerts do you have planned for this year, and how many have you been performing the last few years?

A: I am sort of on a constant tour. I do one to three a week. I love it, but I don’t like the travel.

Q: I understand people can expect their favorites from your repertoire, but you also mix things up and each night is different. How do you approach each set list?

A: I try to do different shows for each venue. I like to construct these shows especially for the town I am in. I like to come to town early and check the place out; then I get a better feel for each place. Of course I’m going to do my song from “Wicked.” But I have been throwing in everything from Dolly Parton to Jerome Kern.

Q: I read you’ve also been bringing on a local singer to perform. How are they selected, and can you tell us who – or what sort of performer – you’re looking for for your Modesto show?

A: I always do a little interview to see who feels right. I try to pick a local person and someone who really seems to want the experience. And I love it when they know the words. Ha-ha.

Q: Last year was a busy year for you. You co-hosted the Tony Awards, and you were back on Broadway with “On the Twentieth Century.” What do you look for in a Broadway role, and what was it about the role of Lily Garland that made you know you wanted to do the show?

A: It was the perfect role for me. Comedic. Operatic in tone. Lots of dancing.

Q: Of course, one of the roles you’re most famous for is Glinda, which you originated in “Wicked.” At the time, did you realize that role would become so iconic, and how do you feel being so indelibly associated with her character now?

A: I did know it would be special. I didn’t know it would be the huge success that it now is. I think that is so cool. Thirteen years ago we opened it. It is still just as successful. I’m proud of that. I’m proud I was in a show that continues to touch people’s lives.

Q: Some people might have been, at least initially, surprised that such a big voice and personality would come out of someone so small (and I say that with love, since I’m only about 3 inches taller than you). Did people ever doubt your ambitions growing up, or were you always the kid who people thought would make it onto stage and screen?

A: Ha-ha. I love fellow shorties. I think it’s been good for my career to be little. Nobody ever expects me to have a big anything – voice or brain. It’s been fun to surprise people.

Q: You’re debuting a new show, “I Am Anne Hutchinson/I Am Harvey Milk,” in Maryland in April. Tell me about that project and what interested you in it.

A: It is a concept opera that Andrew Lippa conceived. (It’s) sort of “who was Harvey Milk before Harvey Milk?” I love that it is a woman – a strong, fun-loving, God-filled woman. Those are all the things that ultimately brought her to her death. Sad. That’s why we are telling her story. Plus it’s gorgeous, very Bernstein-esque.

Q: What advice would you give to aspiring young musical theater performers based on your experiences on Broadway and beyond?

A: If you love doing anything else, go do that. This is hard. It takes all you got. If you see yourself doing only this, then go for it!

This story was originally published March 16, 2016 at 10:23 AM with the headline "Chenoweth at the height of stardom."