The dark comedy “Family Weekend” stars the effervescent Kristin Chenoweth as a deadbeat mom who is taught an unconventional lesson as she parents her teenage daughter. At a recent press event, Chenoweth revisited her old high school days, offering a glimpse into her childhood as an ambitious teen.
“I was a Type A perfectionist personality. I did choir and drama. I know, it’s shocking,” Chenoweth joked. “I was a cheerleader. I was like the kid from ‘Glee’ in a tiny town.”
Family dynamics — however dysfunctional — are the focus of “Family Weekend.” When asked about balancing her busy schedule with familial obligation, Chenoweth discussed her own sense of responsibility.
“I had a stay-at-home mom and my dad had his own business. But even with his business, he was at the important events,” she said. “So I wish I could tell some tale about ‘Oh, they were never there for me, I was alone,’ but no, they were great parents. I try to be the same for my niece and nephew and godchildren. I think I do pretty good.”
But like every family, Chenoweth cited a bit of dysfunction in her own.
“I did grow up in a great family, but we have our issues. Each family unit is different. I’m a multitasker … I stay on schedule … but I’m a wreck in my personal life,” she said. “When we fly off the rails, and we do, we remember that really it’s about love, and forgiveness is a hard thing to do.”
When asked about her experience working with co-star and “Partridge Family” alumna Shirley Jones, Chenoweth said is was a big moment.
“She was the deal back in the day when they did movie musicals all the time,” Chenoweth. “So for me to get to work with her, that was me meeting an idol.”
In “Family Weekend,” Chenoweth plays a tough, strict mom. But she tries to play her role as someone who is the boss and not as an evil mother. And although she enjoys her comedic roles, Chenoweth admitted that pursuing comedy is difficult, and she divulged her desire to play diverse roles.
“When I was on ‘Glee’ I played a drunk has-been. I don’t know why they’d think of me for that,” she said. “‘Pushing Daisies’ was even more different. I don’t want to be typecast.”
When asked which facet of her multiple threat persona she enjoys most, Chenoweth said, “I really like concertizing because I’m myself. I really like that people bought the ticket because they wanted to see me. I like singing music I’ve chosen for a reason. That’s my favorite.”
A version of this article was published in the Thursday, March 28 print edition. Isabel Jones is a staff writer. Email her at [email protected].
