She’s conquered Broadway and TV. You still have this chance to see her in Bellingham
Bellingham’s Mount Baker Theatre is celebrating its 95th anniversary Saturday, April 23, with a one-night performance from Emmy and Tony award-winning singer Kristin Chenoweth.
Chenoweth is known for her roles in “Wicked,” “Pushing Daisies,” “Glee” and many more acting and singing roles. She won a Tony award for her performance in “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown,” and an Emmy award for her part in “Pushing Daisies.” Chenoweth also earned a start on The Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2015, an honor only about 2,700 others hold.
Chenoweth is doing more than just a concert of her latest album, “For the Girls.” She’s also hosting a Q&A session with local high school students.
According to the theater’s executive director, John R. Purdie II, the session with students was Chenoweth’s idea.
“Ms. Chenoweth offered to let up to 20 students attend her soundcheck and have a short Q&A with her,” wrote Purdie in an email.
Purdie says that they chose five students from Blaine, Squalicum, Bellingham and Sehome high schools for what he describes as a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
“For our 95th, the star of the show is literally a superstar. Chenoweth isn’t just a phenomenal singer, she’s a powerhouse entertainer. Broadway, TV, movies... she’s at the peak of her career and has her pick of anything she wants to do. I could not believe she accepted our request to fly all the way to Bellingham with her accompanying band to celebrate MBT’s birthday with us,” Purdie wrote.
The benefit concert celebrating the nonprofit theater’s 95th anniversary is collecting proceeds to support Mount Baker Theatre’s general fund, as the COVID-19 pandemic hurt the theater’s financial stability.
“We re-opened the theater last year when 6ft distancing requirements limited audiences to just 250 people. It was important to give our community something to do and somewhere safe to go. Audiences are returning to the theater, but we still have a significant budget gap to make up,” Purdie wrote.
The theater also recently installed medical-grade UV light air purification and ionization filters to help remove airborne viruses and other germs in an effort to make the theater a safer place for visitors.
The benefit concert is not the only way people can support Mount Baker Theatre, as birthday gift donations can also be given online or by calling the ticket office at 360-734-6080.
Tickets for the 1,509-seat venue are still available and can be purchased online for $65 to $350 for VIP Golden Circle tickets.
The $350 VIP ticket includes admission into the “Golden Circle” section closest to the stage, access to Chenoweth’s pre-show soundcheck, early entry and free parking, complimentary cocktails and appetizers before the concert from local restaurants, Lombardi’s Italian Restaurant and Snowy River Cocktail Co., as well as one “For The Girls” CD.
The concert takes place at 7:30 p.m. April 23. The theater opens at 6:30 p.m. Patrons will receive a complimentary glass of bubbly before Chenoweth’s performance, which has no opening act. After the concert, attendees will also receive a commemorative party favor to remember the special event, Purdie wrote.
This story was originally published April 14, 2022 at 11:32 AM.
