Kristin Chenoweth on Frosty Causes, 'Glee' and Being a 'Good Christian Belle'

By Rae Votta Posted Jun 18th 2011 03:00PM

The multi-talented Kristin Chenoweth took time away from her busy schedule this week to visit New York to co-host 'Live! With Regis and Kelly' as well as support Wendy's and their fifth annual Father's Day Frosty Weekend (June 18-19) where 50 cents from every Frosty sold benefits the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption. We chatted with Chenoweth about the campaign, plus her role on 'Glee,' her upcoming TV show and her new album.

What made you excited to work on the Father's Day Frosty Campaign.
I was adopted myself and the Thomas Foundation helps children who need to be adopted and the foster care system in our country. It's an easy and yummy way to help a good cause.

Have you eaten a ton of Frosty's this week?
I have! The junior Frosty's are really little and a nice treat.

You're set to star on a new show, 'Good Christian Belles.' What other TV show would you compare it to?
I'm glad I can't think of another show to compare it to. It takes places in a world I haven't seen before on television -- the church. You know all these women no matter what religion you are. And this is a world I know really well, growing up in the Bible Belt.

On the show you get to work with Annie Potts, what's she like?
She's a dream come true, exactly the kind, wonderful sweet southern woman you expect her to be. She reminds me of my aunts. I miss all my girls, we filmed the plot and then we got picked up and we don't start filming again until the end of July.

We know it's easy, but any dream guest stars for the show?
I'm a big fan of Debbie Monk and Shawn McBride, actors who just take stuff and run with it. I also think of my friends like Molly Shannon, it would be fun to work with old friends, but also fun to make new friends.

You're already a hit on another popular TV show, 'Glee.' In the finale Mr. Schue ditches the Broadway production spearheaded by your character April Rhodes. We never get to see her reaction, what did she say to him!?
I would like to know what happened, can you find out for me? (Laughs.) I think she got pretty mad at him, that was her dream! She's such a fun hot mess.

The students in the 'Glee' cast are on tour this summer. Have you had a chance to see them?
I want to but I haven't yet. I'm definitely going to see Dolly Parton at the Hollywood Bowl this summer, plus performing myself in Seattle and Portland.

Speaking or performing, you have an album coming out and a new single with a pretty entertaining video. How was that to make?
I'd make videos for every song, it's so much fun. I think for me a story or a POV in a video is stronger for the kind of entertainer I am.

Any details on what fans can expect from the album?
I wrote a couple of songs for the album, one is a tribute to Dolly Parton called "What Would Dolly Parton Do,' or WWDoubleDs. My album shows fans a side of me they've been waiting for, and hopefully new fans will hear it and go "oh, I didn't know she could do that." I got to do the whole record in Nashville and it was like being home for me.

We had two fan questions. First, they want to know if there's any hope for a 'Pushing Daisies' reunion?
I talk to Brian Fuller on a daily basis and he is always saying he's going to write the movie. Fans should band together and tell him to actually do it! I know we'd all like closure on that.

Another fan wanted to know if youd ever consider doing a Christmas album in character as April Rhodes?
I did a Christmas album as myself last year and it was really special to me. I don't think I'd want to do one as April, but maybe Ryan would let me do a whole album as April. I'd love to see what songs she'd pick to sing.

What's your ideal April Rhodes song?
'Open Arms,' Journey.

Fans who want to support Father's Day Frosty Weekend can also use the Treat it Forward application on www.facebook.com/frosty , or use the hashtag: #TreatItFwd. A donation will be made, by Wendy's, for each designated tweet or re-tweet made from Treat it Forward.

Tags: Fathers Day Frosty Weekend, Glee, Good Christian Belles, Kristin Chenoweth

Comments

(9)

Saturday 18 June

By bigD

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I can't wait to see Southern Belles! Kristin Chenoweth is sooooo much fun to watch. It seems like everybody loves her in everything she does-- Wicked, Pushing Daisys, Glee, and all her musical projects. Her rendition of One Less Bell To Answer with Matthew Morrison was the best thing on television all year-- WHAT A VOICE!!! I hope this new show is a major hit.

By Ashleigh

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Any chance, when discussing actors, she said "Chi McBride", her Pushing Daisies co-star, rather than Shawn McBride? Chi is pronounced "Shy", could have been a mistake? If not, anyone know who Shawn McBride is?

Sunday 19 June

By coursingthru

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Her head weighs more than her body......why is she being made to be something productive when she looks like she eats a raisin each day?

By joe

WTF are you talking about? You are just used to your fat girl friend with a large body and a small head.

By John F.C. Taylor

My brief scan of the article did not show any mention of her work on The West Wing. A pity because I thought she had an excellent role in the show.

Monday 20 June

By JoeyJoeFus

When she sang "Home" for the wiz on Glee, it just pulls at your heart. She put so much power and emotion into it.

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Also saw her in "Wicked" What an awesome talent!

Monday 27 June

By Leah

I have looked all over the Internet for information on her Portland performance dates/location. I can't find ANYTHING!

Can anyone help me out?? Please and thanks!

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