What's Up, Kristin Chenoweth? Dishing About Love, Wicked, Glee and More

Kristin Chenoweth is a true Broadway darling. The Tony-winning diva made a name for herself in such shows as Wicked, You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown and Steel Pier. She is also familiar to TV audiences for stealing scenes on Pushing Daisies (for which she won an Emmy), and as a guest star on the new hit Glee. Now this big talent is back on the boards in the off-Broadway comedy hit Love, Loss and What I Wore and planning a Broadway return this spring in Promises, Promises. Never idle, Chenoweth also has a new TV movie, 12 Men of Christmas, premiering on Lifetime on December 5. We chatted with the vivacious star after she recovered from a brief illness that delayed her off-Broadway opening. We’re happy to report that Kristin is up and at ‘em!

Thanks for chatting with Broadway.com despite being under the weather. How are you feeling?
Thankfully, I am feeling so much better. I was really down for the count! Three weeks at home with my mom as a nurse helped me out though. I am thrilled to be doing Love, Loss and What I Wore.

Love, Loss and What I Wore looks like so much fun. What is it like working with this starry female ensemble?
These women are incredible. I am so honored to be on stage with them and I have been truly blessed by their presence and friendship. Our chemistry on and off stage is unreal. I am so lucky that Nora and Delia wrote this show and I get to be a part of it.

What do you think when you open your closet in the morning?
I have nothing to wear! It is horrible. I love to shop and wear cute clothes. Sometimes I use a stylist, Jill Swid, here in NYC, but I consider myself my own stylist since I love a good bargain and creating a great look.

Will you share a special memory related to clothing?
Oh my gosh, it is so embarrassing, but once I was sent what I thought was a "tube top" from Nicole Miller, so naturally when I was invited to her fashion show I wore it. Of course, I was photographed on the red carpet, in the front row—the whole thing—so at the end when she approached me to say hello I was mortified to hear her say, "I'm so glad you liked the skirt!"

Unlike a lot of New Yorkers, you don’t seem devoted to black clothes. How do you avoid that common trap?
Oh, don't be fooled! I love black. However, I try to mix in bright colors to give my day more pizzazz. I also love pink, so if it is pink, I will wear it. Add sparkles and it is a shoo-in!

Congratulations on your Emmy win! Have you heard from any of the shows you mentioned in your speech? Are there any other shows you’d like to mention—you know, just in case their producers are reading this?
Thank you so much! I was so shocked! Whenever the speech is replayed I just giggle because I was so taken aback. I haven't heard from them, but maybe my manager has. I am such a huge fan of 24, Mad Men, The Office—that's enough for me. I am loving being on Glee, though, and I'm excited to go back for my second episode in January.

You are a hoot on Glee. What did you love about doing that show?
You know, the talent on the show is refreshing. Even though the kids said that they look up to me, I really am inspired by them. I also love having my Broadway peeps on the show, Matthew Morrison and Lea Michele, and I simply can't get enough of Jane Lynch.

Can you give any insight into what your character will do next on Glee and what songs you’ll sing?
I have no idea! But I would love to do something like “Love Shack” or something from Dolly Parton's repertoire.

You were so open and honest in your book A Little Bit Wicked. Was there any fallout from family, friends or exes about your frankness in it?
Absolutely everyone around me is so supportive of me. I could not be more thankful for the people in my life. The book was one of the most rewarding experiences I have had so far.

Wicked has really become a mega-phenomenon. Would you ever return to the role of Glinda—even for, say, an anniversary concert?
Oh, wow! It depends. It was such a special time creating that show and that role. I suppose if the stage was set in the proper way, I would consider it.

It’s so exciting that you are coming back to Broadway in Promises, Promises. What are you most looking forward to in returning to the Great White Way?
I am so excited to work with Neil Simon, Burt Bacharach, and, of course, Sean Hayes. We are going to have so much fun and I think audiences are going to love this classic with some new updates and twists.

What specifically appeals to you about Promises, Promises?
My character in this show is unlike any I have ever played before, so I am really looking forward to doing something new and for people to see me in a different light. I love playing Galinda-type roles, but this will be both a challenge and an amazing growth opportunity for me.

Finally, who is better dressed: you or your adorable dog Maddie?
Hahaha, MADDIE! She dresses to the nines and even has a FURcedes to drive around in. She also loves Poochie!