As one of five legendary cover stars in the Out May/June "Pride" issue, Kristin Chenoweth showed her love and admiration for Broadway star Jinkx Monsoon, who's been breaking records and getting rave reviews for her performances in shows like Chicago, Little Shop of Horrors, and the 2025 production of Pirates! The Penzance Musical.
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Chenoweth — who appeared alongside Idina Menzel, Maleah Joi Moon, Megan Hilty, and Lea Salonga on Out's "Broadway divas" cover story — discussed how being considered a gay icon is "a very special compliment" and revealed that she "can't wait for Pride" this year, teasing that she has "something special planned."
Though she has a long list of friends and peers in the LGBTQ+ community, Chenoweth gave a special shout-out to Monsoon during her interview in the cover story. "She's kind of been a little bit of a trailblazer for me," Chenoweth told Out, "like RuPaul."
"I was so proud of her. She blew me away," the Broadway icon gushed, referencing her experience seeing Monsoon as Matron "Mama" Morton in Broadway's Chicago.
Since causing an uptick in ticket sales during her original run in Chicago, Monsoon played Audrey in the off-Broadway production of Little Shop of Horrors, starred as a scene-stealing villain in the Doctor Who series on the BBC and Disney+, made her Carnegie Hall debut to a sold-out audience, briefly returned to Chicago for a second run as "Mama" Morton, and subsequently originated the role of Ruth in the 2025 revival of Pirates! The Penzance Musical.
Earlier this month, the new Pirates! revival was nominated for a 2025 Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical. And to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Hamilton on Broadway, Monsoon was invited to perform in a special 'Ham4Ham" event hosted by Lin-Manuel Miranda.
Meanwhile, Chenoweth is gearing up to star in The Queen of Versailles — a new Broadway production with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, the same composer and lyricist behind the Wicked musical and film adaptations by Jon M. Chu.
As the world eagerly awaits to see the Wicked: For Good sequel, Chenoweth returns to Broadway, and Monsoon continues her skyrocketing career as a theater performer, the gays will continue to show up and show out, that's for sure.
The Out May/June "Pride" issue hits newsstands May 27. Support queer media and subscribe— or download the issue through Apple News, Zinio, Nook, or PressReader starting May 15.
