Bright lights, glowy city, and Kristin Chenoweth

Dec. 28—In a short time, we’ve seen enough performances at the Lensic Performing Arts Center to believe every concert is going to be memorable.

I’m not qualified or talented enough to join the Pasatiempo staff as a performing arts reporter, so take my assessment of Kristin Chenoweth’s recent concert from the perspective of a transplanted, former Oklahoman who understands her y’alls.

Kristin, simply put, made her Mama proud on a Saturday night with the Plaza in festive mode.

The versatile entertainer, who starred in the original Wicked on Broadway and showed her acting chops and comedic timing on West Wing, brought that voice, that drawl and that lovable persona to a sweetly paced performance.

Kristin professed to the audience her love of binging on The Real Housewives of (insert large city/place, exotic or otherwise) series and mused there couldn’t be a Real Housewives of Santa Fe because everyone here is so nice.

(Saturday Night Live did a Real Housewives of Santa Fe skit in September, but they dined on fake fajitas instead of blue corn enchiladas with Christmas blend and posole, so the authenticity was soooooo New York.)

It was a remarkable, meaningful concert. So, too, was the experience of getting there and back.

If you haven’t seen the Plaza at night, do so before the lights come down.

I watched city of Santa Fe crews cordoning off sections of the Plaza for what felt like weeks. Even on Saturdays, crews were there in the crisp cold mornings, meticulously stringing lights section by section.

Why the effort? It’s a reasonable question for anyone who overthinks logic.

The Plaza landscape isn’t dominated by evergreens. Can naked branches with scattered bulbs put everyone in a Silent-Night-meets-Santa-Claus-Is-Comin’-To-Town mood?

We won’t make you read to the end of the column. Why, yes, naked branches can glow. And when glowy naked branches create a truly lit choir with other glowy naked branches, you’re transcended by the ethereal feeling.

The Northern New Mexico night sky has been clear, and the lights create an imaginary canopy that enhances the Plaza’s significant mystique. Children race around. Couples hold hands. It’s a lifelong moment — meaning everyone takes selfies.

So credit city employees and visionaries for all the reasons that make the holidays special here. The world knows.

Livability, Conde Nast Traveler, Vogue, The Travel, Newsweek, and Travel + Leisure are among the publications that have mentioned Santa Fe for its holiday experiences this year.

Conde Nast Traveler this year also ranked Santa Fe as No. 2 on its list of “The Best Small Cities in the U.S.” and No. 3 among “The Friendliest Cities in the U.S.” in the 2024 Readers’ Choice Awards.

Other accolades have come from Michelin Guide, Moviemaker Magazine, Time, Travel + Leisure, and USA TODAY’s 10 Best.

Santa Fe isn’t perfect, but that’s not breaking news.

Some in the city administrative ranks spend too much time obsessing whether news coverage is “positive” or “negative” when public accountability always has been a blend. Take the bad with the good. That’s reality when you’re in public service.

Anyone could benefit from channeling some Chenoweth-ness.

For more than 90 minutes, she delighted a capacity crowd with songs, stories and self-deprecation. Of aging. Of missed opportunities. Of realizing the world is meant to be different.

How we respond in those moments — with reason, courage or humor — matters the most.

Here’s to finding your inner Kristin in 2025.

When you wonder about the improbable, look for the glowy branches.