Kristin Chenoweth Draws Large Crowd For Saenger Theatre Re-Opening

The historic Saenger Theatre in New Orleans re-opened last week and over the weekend Broadway star Kristin Chenoweth drew a large crowd as she helped celebrate the occasion.

Theater organizers touted the moment as Chenoweth’s New Orleans debut as she dazzled the crowd with renditions of the most well-known Broadway songs. Among her choices were pieces from My Fair Land, the Phanton of the Opera, and of course the class Over The Rainbow.

Chenoweth was accompanied by the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra which was conducted by Kevin Stites.

The Saenger will host “Broadway in New Orleans” beginning on October 15 with a two-week run for The Book of Mormon. The theater officially re-opened to the public on September 27 when comedian Jerry Seinfeld hosted three nights of shows. Organizers plan to host private and public shows and other events at the theater.

Originally opened in 1927 the Saenger Theatre was home to silent movies and stage plays.

During her 2-1/2 hour long show Kristin Chenoweth welcomed several performers from Louisiana onto the stage. By the end of the night reviewers had dubbed her an “honorary New Orlean.”

Saenger Theatre has been bought and sold several times over the years and in 1977 it was named to the National Register of Historic Places. In 1978 it was purchased for $3 million and renovated into a performing arts center. During Hurricane Katrina the theater was flooded and suffered from severe water damage.

Saturday’s re-opening marked the end to a $53 million restoration effort that included restoring the theater to its former Italian Baroque courtyard design.

Do you think bringing Kristin Chenoweth in to celebrate the theater’s opening will give it some credibility among traveling Broadway originated shows?