Kristin Chenoweth & John Sargeant sing “For Good” (from “Wicked”) @ SLC Encircle House (for Dad) ❤️

Yesterday marked 3 years since my amazing dad (Mark Sargeant) was diagnosed w/ the terminal illness A.L.S. (on 10/17/16). His life & our family’s life has changed SO much since then. We’re SO grateful that we’ve had 3 precious years to make more memories w/ Dad. ♥ Unfortunately, his health has been declining rapidly this month, & our family received the devastating news 4 days ago that my dad most likely has just a few days left to live (or a few weeks at the most). :’(
The next day, I was able to visit my dad for about half an hour, & we cried our eyes out as we talked, hugged, & said our (possible) goodbyes. He may have seemed frail on the outside, but there was still the same intense fire & love inside of him that he’s always had. I told him he was my hero, & he told me I was his. ♥ Dad is 100% ready & excited to move on to the other side...
Hopefully I’ll still be able to see him & talk to him a few more times before he passes away. Please keep my dad & our family in your thoughts & prayers in the coming days/weeks. Dad isn’t able to have visitors anymore (except immediate family) because of his current condition (& because of flu season), but you are welcome to send him a loving message via Facebook Messenger if you’d like. ♥
To honor my dad today, I wanted to share a video of an incredibly special, unforgettable, & unexpected opportunity I had last night to sing the emotional duet “For Good” (from the Broadway hit musical “Wicked") w/ the one-&-only Broadway legend Kristin Chenoweth (who originally played Glinda in “Wicked”) & my talented pianist friend, Maxwell Eddington, as a musical tribute to my dying dad @ the Encircle House in SLC. ♪♪
This song has always been soaked in meaning for me, & as I listened to Kristin tenderly sing the 1st verse by my side, I was overwhelmed w/ love for my dad. ♥ So right before I was about to sing the 2nd verse, I stopped the song & told Kristin & the crowd about my dad’s A.L.S. & that he’ll be passing away soon. I told her that I was thinking of him as she sang, so I wanted to dedicate our performance to Dad. She agreed & so sweetly said “that’s how God works.” After the song, she gave me the BEST HUG EVER for about 30 seconds. ♥
This was truly an out-of-body experience & meant the world to me. THANK YOU, Kristin, for your beautiful voice, love, & empathy. ♥ And THANK YOU, Dad, for the inspiring, positive way you’ve faced A.L.S. over the last 3 years & for “dreaming the impossible dream” & “fighting the unbeatable foe.” Because we knew you, we have ALL truly “been changed for good.” I love you SO much, Dad, & will miss you a ton every day… :’(
Here’s some more info about last night: Kristin is here in Utah this weekend to promote the forthcoming CD/DVD of her spectacular performance in the Tabernacle Choir’s 2018 Christmas concert (which I LOVED attending live last year)! She paid a visit to Encircle (which is an LGBTQ family & youth resource center) last night during their weekly music night (“Beyond”) w/ my dear friend, Ron Gunnell (the assistant president of the Tab Choir, who invites/hosts all the choir’s special guest artists) to show her deep love & ongoing support to the LGBTQ community. ♥
We all sang 11 colorful, classic songs for & with Kristin last night (“Defying Gravity,” “Waving through a Window,” “This is Me,” “Let It Go,” “Popular,” “Reflection,” “This is Halloween,” “Can’t Help Falling in Love,” “For Good,” “What is This Feeling?”, & “Bohemian Rhapsody”)! ♪♪ We had 3 pianists (Maxwell, Ella Moss, & me) & also my awesome friends Gabriel Gutierrez on flute & Zachary Scharman on ukulele! Thx to Tyler Domgaard (the Encircle program manager) & Zachary (the “Beyond” director) for organizing this event (& thx also to Zachary for filming this video of “For Good”)! ♥
Apparently there were reporters @ Encircle last night, so there was both a TV spot & news article last night about Kristin’s visit (I’ll attach the article below)! Thanks again to Kristin & all my other friends who were there @ Encircle last night (Mason Moore, Zach Grigg, Griffin Hendrickson, Justin Kwong, Colette Dalton, Kallie Pead, etc.) for a truly magical evening of music!! :D I FELT THE LOVE!!! ♥
Here’s the wonderful Deseret News article by Lottie Elizabeth Johnson: www.deseret.co...
Here’s an extraordinary live performance of “For Good” in 2016 by Kristin Chenoweth & Idina Menzel: • #OutOfOz: "For Good" P...
Here's a video of me singing/playing "For Good" last year as a goodbye gift to my former roommate, Joshua Biggs: • John sings/plays “For ...
Here's a video of me accompanying the Kearns High School Choirs (directed by my friend, Julie Jensen) on "For Good" @ the KHS graduation earlier this year: • KHS Choirs sing “For G...

[@lpartridge]

This video has touched me SO deeply especially after reading the descriptive text.

[@lindamerrill928]

I'm so sorry about your Dad. I love how Kristen moved out of the way to let you sing for your Dad. She's a pro and a truly kind human.

[@alanpease8474]

I love this song dearly and it is always an emotional experience to hear it. This Time I came very close to out and out crying. Beautiful.

[@MarkJeanmougin]

Thank you for sharing this magical moment from Encircle House with the rest of us. Hugs to you all!

[@angiscrazy]

Not everyone gets to sing with one of the greatest stars on Broadway!! What an incredible opportunity my friend. I'm so sorry about your dad but may this sweet memory always be a reminder that you are loved and blessed beyond measure! ...and quit saying you can't sing! You are so awesome. I love you. When are you doing a concert, a solo show? Variety show? I'd come! You are 👏 🔥 so talented!

[@bryannielson8113]

John-
I'm honestly not sure what to say. You are such an amazing guy and I am inspired by your courage, talent, and just you as a person. I hope you are able to spend as much time as possible with your dad and make some precious memories. Thank you for sharing your story and family with us.

[@stephenmkatzasc]

So very sweet!!!!!

[@benjamincollins8559]

You are the best John, let this moment be a memory for your lifetime. Kristin is a lovely person to be around. Because you have made a handprint on your dad's hart, it's time to let your voice soar.

[@shy.kumquat]

Now I’m crying :’) I’m so sorry to hear about your father.

[@paulr6127]

Who’s crying? I got something in my eye. ))yeah, that’s it(( Such a moving performance. 💚❤️ I wish a good journey home for your Dad. Love endures. Thank you.

[@juliejohnson7690]

Amazing!!