Standing tall: Petite Kristin Chenoweth to join list of big-name season openers at MPAC, Sept. 11

Kristin Chenoweth
Kristin Chenoweth
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By Kevin Coughlin

She’s not even five feet tall. But Kristin Chenoweth should have no trouble filling the Mayo Performing Arts Center with her powerful soprano voice at Friday’s opening of the 2015-16 season in Morristown.

Kristin Chenoweth
Kristin Chenoweth

The Tony- and Emmy-winning singer and actress, known for her roles in Wicked, The West Wing and Glee, follows in some legendary footsteps.  Tony Bennett, Diana Ross, Bernadette Peters and Liza Minnelli are among headliners who opened prior seasons at MPAC.

Patrons already are applauding the choice; Chenoweth’s Sept. 11, 2015, show is sold out.

“She’s such an energetic and dynamic performer,” said Ed Kirchdoerffer, general manager of the Mayo Center.  “She brings so much passion to her acting and singing… she really connects with audiences.”

(Despite the sellout, it never hurts to call the box office at 973-539-8008 for any last-minute no-show tickets. Prices range from $79-$129.)

Broadway stars Brian Stokes Mitchell and Kelli O'Hara sing an encore in Morristown. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
Broadway stars Brian Stokes Mitchell and Kelli O’Hara sing an encore at 2014 opening night in Morristown. Photo by Kevin Coughlin

Coincidentally, the 47-year-old Chenoweth, who co-hosted this year’s Tony Awards, attended the same Oklahoma high school as  Kelli O’Hara, last year’s Mayo opening night co-star.

Friday marks the 21st season since the former Community Theatre was rescued from ruin by community volunteers.

The continuing generosity of benefactors was responsible last year for $2 million in renovations that included a new box office, new rest rooms, an elevator and an electronic marquee.

One more tweak is coming this month, when the sound board moves from middle-of-the-house to the back row, making room for 15 more seats in the 1,300-seat theater.

‘SMALL PEOPLE TO THE FRONT!’

Kirchdoerffer has been at 100 South St. for a dozen opening nights. Butterflies gave way to let’s-get-down-to-business a long time ago, he said.

“We know what we have to do. It’s just about getting it all together, making sure it’s a memorable event, the theater’s looking great, and getting new signage and new volunteers in place,” Kirchdoerffer said.

Occasionally, a star will pose challenging demands.

RAIN-MAKERS: Bud Mayo, left, namesake of the Mayo Performing Arts Center, and g.m. Ed Kirchdoerffer introduce Rain in Morristown. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
RAIN-MAKERS: Bud Mayo, left, namesake of the Mayo Performing Arts Center, and g.m. Ed Kirchdoerffer introduce Beatles tribute band Rain in Morristown last year. Photo by Kevin Coughlin

One performer insisted everything in the dressing room had to be draped in white. Another artist, a comedian, had a contract stipulating that “all small people must be moved to the front,” Kirchdoerffer said.

He suspects it was a joke.

“I don’t think they defined what small was,” Kirchdoerffer said.

MPAC hopes that opening night pizzazz generates buzz for its schedule of more than 200 shows throughout the year.

“We have a really diverse lineup this year,” Kirchdoerffer said. “There’s something for everybody.”

You can hear Bach violin pieces played on mandolin by a Grammy-winning MacArthur Fellow (Chris Thile, Nov. 22).

Chris Difford and Glenn Tilbrook of Squeeze will sing their hits on a set from Nutcracker. (They take the stage during an off-night for the New Jersey Ballet holiday production.)

You can see Los Lobos perform with dancers  from Ballet Folklorico Mexicano (March 5, 2016).

And then there are those irrepressible Kiwis, the Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra,  also coming in March.

The Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra.
The Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra.


The roster skews towards nostalgia acts, Kirchdoerffer acknowledged, because they appeal to a broad swath of MPAC patrons. (His dream opener: James Taylor.)

Young, up-and-coming acts prefer playing in bars, where people can dance, or opening for larger bands in arenas, he said.

But their time will come, Kirchdoerffer knows.

“When they get a couple of gray hairs, and their fans put a couple of pounds on their waists, they will be here.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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