She’s a Tony and Emmy award-winning actress. She’s appeared on everything from the Broadway stage to the big screen. Now Kristin Chenoweth is bringing her tour, “An Evening with Kristin Chenoweth,” to the Ford Theater at the Honeywell Center, Wabash, at 7:30 p.m. June 26. Tickets are $55, $75, $85 and $150, and can be purchased at the box office or online at honeywellcenter.org Recently, Chenoweth took some time to answer some questions via email about her career – past and present – along with her thoughts on some current news topics. Q: About 13 years after starring with Idina Menzel in Broadway’s hit musical “Wicked,” you recently sang “For Good” with her for the official “Wicked” YouTube channel’s “Out of Oz: Wicked Studio Sessions” series. What was it like to sing that song with her again? Did it require a lot of preparation? A: It was so good to sing with Idina. We had a good time together and I'm glad it worked out to honor one of our main producers, David Stone. Q: You’re performing at the Honeywell Center in Wabash June 26. What can people expect from the show? Do you change it up for every venue, or is it pretty consistent? Will you incorporate any Hoosier-friendly songs such as “On the Banks of the Wabash, Far Away”? A: Every concert I do is different. Never the same show twice. For Wabash, there will be a song that is special. I have never been there. It will be an honor to stand in front of audiences and let them know who I am as a person as well as an artist. Q: Prince passed away April 21 at the age of 57. I’ve read that you knew him as a friend. How well did you know him? What was he like? Have you added any of his music to your live performances? A: A few years ago, I had the pleasure of dining with Prince. I never really discussed it because, somehow, I wanted to respect the honor of meeting him and what we discussed. I had the pleasure of finding out what an amazing person he was. He was a spiritual man. And I don't even need to say the talent was off the charts. There will never be another Prince. Others may try to copy, but he was in a league all his own. He probably had no idea that the time he gave me was valued to a high degree. He once played a very private concert I was invited to. He played for three hours. I will never forget him. I will never forget how much he makes me want to be better as an artist. I believe he is in heaven, funking out and entertaining everyone. The world is a better place to have had him in it. Q: You recently performed in North Carolina and donated proceeds to charity while other artists just boycotted the state altogether because of the state’s recently enacted anti-LGBT law, HB2. What led you to that decision? What charity did the proceeds go to? Did you say or do anything differently at that concert versus other places? A: My decision to play in any state that is against LGBT is one that was filled with prayer. I watched Cyndi Lauper and she was my example. I happily perform for anyone and will choose to help LGBT local communities as I do so. This is what came out of much thought and prayer. Q You hosted the Tony Awards in 2015 with Alan Cumming. What did you learn from that experience? Was it exciting? Would you do it again if asked? A: I'm so thankful last year’s Tonys® was a good experience. It was a lot of stress. But I had one of the best people at my side. And we were a good team. And I love him dearly. Alan Cumming is someone I admire greatly. He lives an authentic, truthful life. And forget about his talent, which is singular. I love him and wish we were in a show together. Q: You’ve done television (“Kristin,” “Glee”), movies (“Bewitched,” “The Pink Panther”) and the stage (“Wicked,” “You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown”). You go on tour. Is there something you haven’t tackled yet that you would love to do - direct or write a musical or play, for example? A: I've been so overwhelmed with all that's going on! I am enjoying my time with HSN and jewelry line. I love the concert work because I am singing MY truth. I also love singing in front of a live audience. I would say that is my natural high. Like a drug. I have TV projects in the works. I will die as an artist doing what I love. t's all I know. Q: You inspire a lot of people, especially women. A woman – Hillary Clinton – is running for U.S. president for a second time. Have women’s rights improved since you were a young woman? Where do you see room for improvement? A: I love seeing Hillary in the presidential race. Yes. She is a strong woman. I love that. I love her strength. I love how she loves the arts community. It means a lot to artists like myself. I believe she would make a great president. I would feel safe with her at the helm. I've had the blessing of meeting her on two occasions. I just like her. As a person. I like strong women. They've taught me and I've learned from them, which is what I hope to be in life: an inspiration to younger ones. Q: As a singer, you have a very recognizable and great voice. How much effort goes into protecting that voice? What do you do to keep it in such great shape? A: My hardest challenge in life is staying healthy. My voice is my living, yes, but it's also my job to take care of it. I don't smoke. I don't drink alcohol often. My biggest challenge is sleep. I am an insomniac. I have trouble turning off my brain. I hear music when I shut my eyes! Haha! And lyrics that run through my head. I am on voice rest when doing concerts. Rest is the key. This is hard because I love to have good conversations. I miss my friends a lot. And my family. But I am a good texter. Anyone that says it’s “easy” is a complete liar. Q: On your past albums, you’ve covered a number of well-known songs such as “Over the Rainbow” on your “Coming Home” CD. For your CDs, do you start with covers and then add any originals? Do you write original songs? Do you plan to do an album of all original material? A: I feel I have so many songs left to sing. I feel I have a lot more to say. That may come in songs from a classical era. It may come directly from my brain. I imagine I won't stop writing. And honoring songwriters like Chely Wright and Jodi Marr and Diane Warren. And Andrew Lippa and Jason Robert Brown. Lots to sing. Lots to say. Q: Lastly, is there anything about you that people don’t know that you wouldn’t mind sharing? A: There are several things people know about me. So many things I could tell but choose not to. I will say that I never miss a horror film. What does that say about me? Hahaha!
