Kristin Chenoweth Lands Guest Judge Slot on American Idol

Tony winner Kristin Chenoweth has been tapped as a guest judge on the next season of American Idol. The Wicked star will join judges Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi during auditions for the popular talent show this week in Orlando, Florida.

Chenoweth was last seen on Broadway in the Roundabout Theatre Company revival of The Apple Tree in 2006. She earned her second Tony nomination for originating the role of Glinda in the smash hit musical Wicked, having won the prize for 1999's short-lived revival of You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown. She was also seen on Broadway in Steel Pier and Epic Proportions. She is scheduled to return to the stage this fall in off-Broadway's Love, Loss and What I Wore from November 17 to December 13.

For her TV work in the now-canceled Pushing Daisies, Chenoweth is nominated for a 2009 Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series, having received a nomination in the same category in 2008. She will be seen this fall on the Fox TV-series Glee.

Since former judge Paula Abdul announced her departure from American Idol, the show is employing a variety of guest hosts, including Victoria Beckham, Mary J. Blige, Shania Twain and stage vet Neil Patrick Harris, who served as the host for the 2009 Tony Awards ceremony.