If there’s one factor everyone knows about Kristin Chenoweth, it’s that she’s received vary. Musical pun meant. There’s the truth that she’s a Tony Award-winning Broadway entertainer beloved for performances in You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown, and, after all, originating the position of Glinda in Depraved (with a full-circle cameo in final yr’s mega-hit Depraved musical film starring Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo). Additionally an Emmy Award winner, Chenoweth has loved a ton of memorable TV and film roles over time, together with my private favourite: enjoying excessively chipper Pie Gap worker Olive Snook in the 2007 dark comedy series Pushing Daisies. And on April 11, Chenoweth will lend her voice to a star-studded animated film destined to turn into an Easter basic.
Chenoweth co-wrote the inspirational music “Reside Like That” for The King of Kings from Angel Studios, which she belts out through the closing credit. The upcoming movie (watch the trailer here) is impressed by the brief story “The Lifetime of Our Lord” by Charles Dickens — and, after all, by the story of Jesus Christ.
And discuss a star-studded solid! The King of Kings options Oscar Isaac as Jesus, Kenneth Branagh as Charles Dickens, Uma Thurman as Catherine Dickens, Mark Hamill as King Herod, Pierce Brosnan as Pontius Pilate, Forest Whitaker as Peter, Ben Kingsley as Excessive Priest Caiaphas, and Roman Griffin Davis as Walter Dickens. Not credited? The Dickens’ cat Willa, a complete scene-stealer.
Once I had the prospect to talk with Chenoweth, who’s set to star within the Broadway present The Queen of Versailles later this yr, she opened up in regards to the private significance of the music, a particular little “Easter egg,” and whether or not or not we’ll see her revisit any extra nostalgic roles quickly.
Scary Mommy: What does it imply to you to have the ability to contribute this to the film?
Kristin Chenoweth: Nicely, that is the primary time that I’ve ever been requested to put in writing for a movie. I believe by the point the knowledge received to me, my supervisor mentioned, ‘How exhausting do you wish to work? As a result of they want it in two weeks.’ So, I gathered a few of the finest songwriters in Nashville, and we wrote it in 5 days. Two days later, I used to be within the studio. I recorded it in a day, edited it, after which despatched it off. Fortunate for me, they actually jumped to the thought of the music.
Clearly, that is in regards to the Resurrection and Easter, and a particular vacation for me personally. However I needed the music to additionally have the ability to attain individuals of all faiths, or no religion. And so, I used to be very cautious in how I wrote it, how we wrote it, and I simply could not be happier with the response it has been getting. Honored is the phrase that involves thoughts for me. I really like that my music’s in it, however I am glad that the story goes to be on the market in a manner the place I believe lots of people will have the ability to obtain it.
SM: Yeah, and you understand, it’s humorous as a result of there aren’t numerous Easter films you’ll be able to watch as a household.
KC: Sure, sure, and that is one. I imply, youngsters are going to find it irresistible, and I believe adults do, too. It is lovely.
SM: You talked about the music having the ability to enchantment to everybody, so I wish to circle to a particular line — ‘I wish to return to that place, see extra good than unhealthy.’ I believe persons are craving that feeling a lot proper now. How do you retain this message in perspective in your life?
KC: Nicely, I believe, initially, I forgive myself on days after I’m not optimistic. I believe it is vital to simply be like, yeah, not every single day is grand and rainbows, however when they’re, be grateful. And after they do come, these down days, attempt to flip it round. Life is brief.
And I do look again at a time after I was a toddler. That is a part of the inspiration of the music. , that little boy within the film, he is simply wide-eyed, and so wanting to listen to and study and really feel and play. A lot of that we lose as we develop up, and we should not. God gave us that childlike high quality in all of us, and I do suppose that I’ve managed by some means to … some may name immaturity, however possibly that is why I like to act and sing. I like to play, and there is that high quality all through the movie. I simply needed that to musically match.
SM: That is the primary main animated Biblical film since The Prince of Egypt, and there’s this line within the music ‘Nothing is unimaginable in case you imagine’ that made me consider ‘When You Imagine’ by Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston. Did you are feeling a particular connection to them by way of this? Is it virtually like a bit of Easter egg?
KC: I want I might take credit score for that precise line, however one of many writers got here up with it, and I went, ‘Oh, my gosh, it does really feel like an Easter egg.’ I am actually impressed that you simply caught that as a result of I believed the identical factor … I beloved it, and I need Stephen [Schwartz, who wrote ‘When You Believe’ and composed Wicked] to listen to it as a result of I am going to go, ‘I hope you understand you impressed that a bit of bit.’
SM: It’s exhausting to imagine it’s been virtually 30 years since The Prince of Egypt. What makes the timing for this film and this music so becoming now, in 2025?
KC: Nicely, in Prince of Egypt, actually Jesus is talked about and in there, however this film is about the Son of God. I believe numerous occasions, particularly these days, the title Jesus could make individuals scared or uncomfortable … and I believe possibly nobody’s ever accomplished it as a result of they’re scared to the touch it. That is another excuse why I am pleased with Angel Studios for doing it. Suppose how many individuals rejoice the that means of Easter — this would be the epic film that they’ve for his or her vacation, for our vacation.
And it has been within the works for 10 years. They began in 2015, then they received held up by the pandemic, they usually saved plugging away. And right here we’re in ’25, and it is accomplished … Charles Dickens wrote this for his youngsters, however he by no means needed it printed. He needed it to be only for them till he died.
SM: I really like that element about Charles Dickens and this story that was a convention for the creator. Because the film is popping out proper earlier than Easter, do you’ve any particular Easter traditions you like to do annually?
KC: I’ve sort of saved those I grew up with, which, you understand, entails church, after which someplace that all of us agree on to go to dinner, and simply being collectively. Generally, I do not get to do this as a result of I am working. That makes me unhappy. However I’ll discover myself at church on Easter Sunday. There is no higher feeling than to rejoice that individual second. As a Christian particular person, you understand, that is how we all know the place we’re going and that we’re forgiven.
So many occasions, I get indignant and upset with people who find themselves spewing hate or being imply to 1 one other … and on the cross, earlier than he died, Jesus mentioned, ‘Forgive them, Lord. They know not what they do.’ For me, it’s one thing that I am making an attempt to place into my very own vocabulary, in my very own coronary heart and thoughts and mouth. When somebody hurts me, or I see injustice, or I see hate, I simply say, ‘Forgive them, Lord. They do not know what they’re doing. They do not know.’
SM: Nicely, we’re working out of time, however you understand we are able to’t not discuss Depraved! What’s your hope for Ariana and Cynthia as they transfer ahead within the franchise, and may we count on any extra cameos from you?
KC: I believe Idina and my cameos are accomplished, however we actually had fun. It was so good to go on set and watch these two, you understand, pay homage to us however put their very own stamp on the elements. Clearly, it is very layered, as a result of we created them, and we’re like, ‘Oh, man, I hope individuals do not forget about us.’ However the women enjoying the elements are the proper individuals.
I’ve identified Ariana since she was 10 and am very shut together with her. I went by way of the audition course of together with her, and I simply could not be happier for her and for Cynthia, who was simply superb. So what do I need for them? I need them to win the Academy Award subsequent yr, to be sincere. I do know life is not about awards, however musicals are so very tough, they usually’re very tough to make actual on display. The truth is, Depraved introduced musicals again to display.
SM: 100%. Final fast query: All of us LOVED Pushing Daisies. What are the possibilities we are able to get some kind of reboot?
KC: Oh, thanks. I might love a reboot. I am nonetheless open, and I do know our author is so open. The one drawback we have mentioned is that the character of Anna Friel, as she performs Chuck, she will be able to’t age. As a result of keep in mind, she by no means modifications. So Anna’s like, ‘Nicely, who’s going to play me?’ After which, there’s typically that you simply suppose, you understand what? Generally you should not return. It’s best to let that be the gem, the little treasured treasure that it was.
There’s discuss possibly doing a Broadway Pushing Daisies. I might suppose Broadway would lend itself properly to that piece, and I’ve inspired Bryan Fuller, our author, to do this. However I might like to know what occurs with Chuck and Olive and Ned and all the characters. What occurred after?
So I might like to reboot it … that was one of many happiest occasions of my life. I beloved that job.
This interview has been edited and condensed for readability.
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