CultureMap Celebrity Interview

Kristin Chenoweth talks heartbreak, fashion, and the Steve Tyrell connection in her Wicked diva show

For such a petite gal, Kristin Chenoweth packs quite a punch. The Broadway superstar appears larger than life on stage, belting tunes with diva-lika gusto but with the humbleness that comes from experiencing the full spectrum of life's ups and downs.

Wicked was a game changer for Chenoweth. We loved her in Glee. We praised Jesus for her role in the now-canceled drama GCB (ABC, can we get some sort of a comeback miracle?).

And this weekend, we can reconnect with the sassy chanteuse as Chenoweth performs Saturday at the Smart Financial Centre at Sugar Land. "Celebrating the Art of Elegance" takes its theme from Chenoweth's recently released namesake album.

How are things going since we last had a tête-à-tête with KC? We exchanged notes about music, love and fashion.

CultureMap: It’s been four years since we last spoke so let’s do a bit of a check in. You mentioned back then that you’d always wanted to do a live album. And you did in Coming Home! How does it feel to have that accomplishment checked off from your bucket list?

Kristin Chenoweth: It's amazing because I got to do it in the theater that bears my name in my hometown of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. There were a lot of people I saw in the audience that meant so much to me when I was growing up, and I can’t think of a better way to check this item off my bucket list than to be there in that space with them!

CM: So what’s next on your bucket list? I’m curious about things that you’ve always wanted to do but haven't had a chance to.

KC: I had such a great time working with (Houston native) Steve Tyrell on my newest album, The Art of Elegance. Recording these songs made me fall in love with music and lyrics all over again, and there are so many other standards out there that I can hear calling my name.

Maybe an album sequel could be the next thing to check off the bucket list! Either that or a record that gets back to my roots in Oklahoma. No matter what kinds of projects I work on, I always find myself drawn to the people and places that influenced me the most growing up, and I’d love to pay homage to their impact on my life.

CM: Now onto your new album, The Art of Elegance. From all the songs included (lovely selection BTW), is there one that describes you more closely?

KC: I have to say I’m a little partial to "Skylark" and "I Get Along Without You Very Well" — both are Hoagie Carmichael, which just goes to show you how much I love and admire his work. But toward the end of my record I do sing "Smile" — the lyrics speak to my soul. They share a sentiment that’s become very important to how I try to live my life.

CM: Back when we spoke, you were considering getting out there and dating again after your tour. Of course we’ve been keeping up and see that you have Andrew Pruett in your life, some mags have the described you as being “smitten” with him. How’s that going?

KC: Though it didn't work out, he sure is a sweetheart. Good Oklahoma boy. I’m out there dating when I can, which as you know is not very consistent given my schedule. Check back in with me in another four years and we'll see where I'm at.

CM: About your Houston performance at the Smart Financial Centre at Sugar Land — who will you be wearing? What kind of fashions can we expect from you?

KC: I'm a big fan of Alice and Olivia, seeing as how everything they make is so comfortable. And of course I’m going to bling it out — we’re in Texas! I have family that will be there and I need to make them proud!

CM: What will we be hearing? And why that selection now?

KC: My concert set changes every performance. The audience can expect some music from Wicked and some songs that people know me for. Of course I’ll be singing some selections from The Art of Elegance, and maybe I'll throw in some Dolly Parton, Don Henley, Sandi Patty… Who knows!

CM: Like your past performance in Houston, will you include some audience interaction? I know people love coming on stage and singing a duet impromptu.

KC: Yes, in fact I’ll be having a group of young local singers join me for the last couple of songs. It’s become the highlight of my whole tour.

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Kristin Chenoweth will perform on Saturday, 8 p.m., at the Smart Financial Centre at Sugar Land. Tickets start at $75 and can be purchased online.

Kristin Chenoweth worked with Houston native Steve Tyrell on her new album, The Art of Elegance.

Photo by Gian Andrea Di Stefano

Kristin Chenoweth worked with Houston native Steve Tyrell on her new album, The Art of Elegance.

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Movie Review

Sheriff Bob Odenkirk is back in over-the-top new action movie 'Normal'

Photo courtesy of Magnolia Pictures

Bob Odenkirk in Normal.

Screenwriter Derek Kolstad, who wrote the first three John Wick movies, has essentially had a blank check to do what he wants in the movie landscape since 2014. In recent years that has meant writing the action series Nobody for Bob Odenkirk, who has turned from a comedian into an unlikely action star in his sixties. Kolstad and Odenkirk are teaming up again in Normal.

A film that tries to evoke Fargo in multiple ways, Normal finds Ulysses Richardson (Odenkirk) serving as a temporary sheriff for the small town of Normal, Minnesota after the previous sheriff died. Knowing he’s just a steward until a new sheriff is elected, Ulysses takes a live-and-let-live approach to the job, letting the deputies (Ryan Allen and Billy MacLellan) do the grunt work and trying to stay out of everyone’s way, including Mayor Kibner (Henry Winkler).

A bank robbery attempt by two non-citizens upsets his best-laid plans in more ways than he can imagine. Not only is he forced to confront a crime not often seen in a town like Normal, but the robbery uncovers secrets that turn the film into an all-out bloodbath. Soon, almost everyone in town becomes involved in what comes to resemble a war, along with — you guessed it — Yakuza henchmen from Japan.

Directed by Ben Wheatley and written by Kolstad, the film is a slight twist on the everyman-turned-hero character Odenkirk played in the two Nobody films. While Ulysses is in law enforcement, he prefers to use words instead of weapons, and it’s only when he’s pushed to the brink that he crosses that line. Naturally, his skills are beyond what anyone would expect of him, allowing him to match up well with people half his age.

The film is not a comedy in the traditional sense, but instead aims for laughs by catching the audience off-guard with its ultraviolence. Some characters are dispatched in shockingly unexpected ways, with one of the only natural reactions to the jarring nature of their deaths being laughter. That’s not necessarily the case for other killings, which range from blasé to sadistic, and the only reason they count as entertainment is because the filmmakers have primed the audience to accept them as such.

After a relatively solid setup, where Wheatley and Kolstad seem to take their time getting to know the main characters, the second half of the film is pure action that dispenses with good storytelling. Like many action movies, there are double crosses, surprise revelations, and more, but the filmmakers don’t seem to care about making sense of any character arcs. All they care about is delivering mayhem, and they succeed on that front.

Odenkirk has perfected the mild-yet-intimidating nature of his action characters, and it is satisfying to see him get the better of those who have done him wrong. He doesn’t run or jump like fellow 63-year-old Tom Cruise, but — with the help of fast-paced editing — he still makes for a credible action hero. The only other actors of any note in the film are Winkler, who’s a nice presence with his sardonic personality, and Lena Headey, whose small role doesn't match up with her experience.

You have to have a certain mindset to enjoy a film like Normal, but if you can abide its over-the-top bloodiness, it’s a serviceable action film. Few would have expected Odenkirk to take on these kinds of roles at this late stage of his career, but he’s making the most of his opportunities.

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Normal opens in theaters on April 17.

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