Kristin Chenoweth Duets With Former Flame Joshua Bell on His New CD

Proving that you can remain friendly with an ex, Tony Award winner Kristin Chenoweth sings Rodgers & Hart’s “My Funny Valentine” on At Home With Friends, the latest recording from her former boyfriend Joshua Bell. The internationally famous violin virtuoso collaborated with Chenoweth and a host of other celebrated musicians on duets for the CD, which was released September 29 on Sony Classical.

At Home With Friends was inspired by Bell’s tradition of holding “musical soirees” at his New York home. The CD includes many types of music, with duet partners that include Sting, Regina Spektor, Josh Groban and Nathan Gunn. Of interest to theater fans is Bell’s duet of Rodgers and Hart’s “I’ll Take Manhattan” with Marvin Hamlisch on piano and Gershwin’s “I Loves You Porgy” from Porgy and Bess with Chris Botti on trumpet, as well as "My Funny Valentine," from the score of the 1937 musical Babes in Arms.

In a video about the recording on Bell’s website, he and Chenoweth don’t mention the fact that they dated but speak warmly of each other. “She’s got the most versatile voice of anyone I know, just a gorgeous voice,” the youthful 41-year-old violinist says of Chenoweth. The recent Emmy winner adds, “I can’t believe I’ve known him so long and this is the first time we’re doing a duet that people will actually hear and get to buy. It’s exciting.”

In addition to "My Funny Valentine," the retail version of the CD will include an exclusive cut of Chenoweth performing the holiday favorite "O Holy Night" with Bell.