Kristin Chenoweth wows at Heindl Center

by Dr. Andrew Dale

Senatobia, MS (02/22/2023) — The first headlining event to be held at the Heindl Center for the Performing Arts, located on the campus of Northwest Mississippi Community College in Senatobia, was a great success. Kristin Chenoweth, of Broadway and Hollywood fame, wowed the audience with her vocal talent for 90 minutes Feb. 18. Chenoweth worked through a diverse setlist that included Broadway tunes, country, rock 'n' roll, gospel, classical, and pop from the 50s through the 90s. Everyone in attendance would have identified with at least one of the songs.

Chenoweth did a great job connecting with the audience and the local community. The event began with the award-winning performer walking out on stage wearing a Northwest Ranger football helmet, which she left on stage for the entire event. She spoke of the local salon she used earlier in the day to prepare for the concert (Sasse' Salon in Senatobia) and the fun she had getting dolled up.

Intermingled between her songs, Chenoweth spoke of, and from, her most recent book, "I'm No Philosopher, but I Got Thoughts." Concertgoers were told of a few local stores she visited where she placed signed copies of her book--a fun treasure hunt. The books and a few recordings were also available in the lobby of the Heindl Center.

One of the things that Chenoweth is proud of in her musical career is the establishment of a summer Broadway bootcamp in her hometown of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. One of her recent students from that event joined her on stage to demonstrate his talent. That moment of the show was not lost on the group of Northwest music students who were invited to sit in on her sound check earlier in the day. She spent a good deal of time before the concert taking questions from students and encouraging them as they realize their own musical journeys.

The Heindl Center was as much on display as Chenoweth was Saturday night. Amazed at the new performance venue, the Emmy and Tony award-winning artist ended the concert by putting down her microphone, stepping to the very edge of the stage, and letting the room's acoustics naturally magnify her voice as she sang Nat King Cole's "Smile." Unfiltered by any electronic enhancements, this moment of the concert revealed both the exquisite vocal abilities of Chenoweth and the superior engineering of such a great venue.

Chenoweth was just the first of many events to come in the years ahead. The venue and the talent that is booked for the Heindl Center in the coming weeks are sure to enlighten. For more information on the calendar and tickets visit www.heindlcenter.org.

Media Attachments

chenoweth_concert.jpg

Award-winning actress and singer Kristin Chenoweth entertains the audience at the Heindl Center during the venue’s first headlining event Feb. 18. In a nod to Northwest, Chenoweth walked out on stage wearing a Ranger football helmet, which she kept on stage during her performance. Photo by Alyssa Pirani

Northwest Mississippi Community College

Kristin Chenoweth wows at Heindl Center

Media Attachments

Northwest Mississippi Community College

Share this Story

Recent News