The sensational Sally

Young Chang

The world knows Sally Brown as the sister of Charlie Brown and the

girl who has a never-ending crush on Linus.

But to Kristin Chenoweth, who won a Tony Award for her portrayal of

the character in the 1999 Broadway production of “You’re a Good Man,

Charlie Brown,” the precocious 4-year-old is strong and able. Second to

Charles Schultz, the “Peanuts” comic strip creator, Chenoweth may know

Sally best.

“She’s got a ferocity and an aggressiveness not often seen in women,

let alone kids,” the 32-year-old performer said. “That’s attractive to me

for a role -- women with a strong personality, instead of being the

victim or someone who’s weak.”

Chenoweth, who performs a compilation of ‘30s and ‘40s music at the

Orange County Performing Arts Center through Sunday as part of the

2000-01 Cabaret Series, shares Sally’s personality.

“I’m not quite as aggressive as she is, but I’d like to think we’re

both strong and able types,” she said.

Chenoweth keeps her Tony at her New York home. Sometimes, while

looking at it, she feels overwhelmed, and asks herself, “I didn’t really

win that, did I?” she said.

Her other honors -- a Drama Desk Award, an Outer Critics Circle Award,

a Clarence Derwent Award and a Theater World Award -- confirm that she

did. The Broadway performer has worked in productions of “Steel Pier” and

“Epic Proportions,” as well as in off-Broadway shows, ballets, television

and at regional opera houses.

And the ballet-trained dancer, singer and actor isn’t through yet.

Her debut album will hit stores next month. And in March, Chenoweth

will star in her own NBC comedy series titled “Kristin,” in which she

will portray a struggling Broadway actress working as an executive

assistant.

John Markus -- a friend, as well as producer and creator of the show

-- said the role of Kristin Yancey was created specifically for

Chenoweth. She inspired him to create the character, which is based only

partly on her life.

“Kristin reminds me of the performers we used to have 30 to 40 years

ago,” Markus said. “She has a real sparkle, she burns brightly. She also,

with those qualities, reminds me of all the girls I grew up with in rural

Ohio.”

Chenoweth’s attitude is simple: “When you see a task before you, you

kind of approach it with no fear,” she said. “If you fail, you fail. At

least you tried.”

She left Oklahoma after high school with this mentality. Upon arriving

in New York, Chenoweth underwent a mild culture shock. People seemed to

speak as if they were yelling at her, she said.

“But now I consider myself a New Yorker, so maybe I’m the same way,”

she added.

Though Chenoweth lives in Los Angeles and New York, Oklahoma will

always be her home.

“It’s where I’m from. It keeps me grounded; it reminds me of what life

is really like and is about,” she said. “Life is really about your family

and your niece and nephew and friends. Entertainment is incredibly

rewarding, but it’s not everything.”

FYI

WHAT: Kristin Chenoweth

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. today and Saturday, 9:30 p.m. Saturday, 1 p.m. Sunday

WHERE: The Orange County Performing Arts Center, Founders Hall, 600

Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa

COST: $49 or $45

CALL: (714) 740-7878