Actress Kristin Chenoweth, fresh off a 2009 Emmy win for her role on the ABC comedy Pushing Daisies, will appear in a guest role for Fox's high school musical series Glee.
Kristin Chenoweth's Background and Performances
In 1999, Chenoweth made her first impression on the Broadway world with a Tony win for her role in the revival of You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown.
Following that stint, NBC produced a sitcom, Kristin, which ran for 11 episodes in 2001. After its cancellation, Chenoweth returned to the stage, in one of the biggest roles of her career.
That role, Glinda the Good Witch from the Broadway adaptation of Gregory Maguire's Wicked, garnered another Tony nod for Chenoweth. She lost the award to co-star Idina Menzel (who played Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West), but her performance was nearly universally praised.
Chenoweth parlayed her Wicked fame into several albums, including a Christmas tome, A Lovely Way to Spend Christmas.
After leaving the show in 2004, Chenoweth appeared in several feature films, such as Robin Williams' RV and the Matthew Broderick comedy Deck the Halls.
When she returned to television, Chenoweth took on a starring role in ABC's critically acclaimed comedy Pushing Daisies. In addition to her 2009 Emmy win, the show also permitted her to show off her vocal skills, performing songs like The Bangles' hit "Eternal Flame."
Chenoweth's Glee Character
Fox announced Chenoweth's arrival in May, 2009, before the show's premiere. While her musical theater past makes her an easy candidate for the guest spot, her appearance may not be what her fans expect.
In a departure from Chenoweth's usually perky characters, her Glee role will showcase the actress as "kind of a drunk, a has-been. She's squatting in a McMansion in town, but she's still got it. She's got the voice, she's got the moves and she really shows the kids how to put it on," as series star Jane Lynch told E!Online.
When Glee coach, Mr. Schuester (played by Matthew Morrison), uncovers the former standout, he enlists her as the club's newest member, most likely by bending glee club regulations.
Clearly, the "has-been" status won't prevent Chenoweth from flexing her vocal muscles. She's slated to perform the Broadway staple "Maybe This Time," from Cabaret, as well as other glee club selections.
While her character may not be the good influence Mr. Schuester is, Chenoweth nevertheless left an impression on the show's young stars. As actor Chris Colfer (who plays Glee member Kurt) told The Los Angeles Times, "Working with Kristin is what I can imagine a priest would go through if they worked with Jesus."
 |
