Chenoweth no Tony for Wicked because she was Christian?

[bunchamuncha]

"It's not hard to work with people when they find out you're a Christian. What's difficult is that once they know it, they will begin to watch how you react to things. There's a lot of drama in this business. Wicked was full of it—drama every day. I ended up leaving at the end of my contract, and the producers weren't happy that I wasn't going to stay. They even said that if I left they wouldn't promote me for a Tony Award, but I said, "Well, that's okay." And I was nominated for a Tony anyway.

I worked with some tough people in that one—and my faith was tested. My mom was also struggling for a while with some health issues, and I was doing The Pink Panther and some other projects, so I was tired. And when I get really tested, I push it all down inside and hold it in. So I began to get sick with stomach problems, I lost weight, my face broke out … And because I kept it all in, one day it all just came out in a big explosion—and it happened with a non-Christian. And I've had to forgive myself for that. But that's the tough part about being a Christian in a business like this—everyone is watching what you do."

Wow. I'm sure her Wicked cast and crew feel loved. I wonder if the non-Christian she blew up at was painted green.

Christianity Today

[zzannahk]

is this meant to imply she would have won if she were something else, what jewish, athiest, deist?

[TennesseeTwang]

I suspect that her difficulties with her co-workers had little to do with her faith. She may just choose to believe that because it's easier than facing up to the fact that at times, she may be a pain-in-the-butt diva.

[LizzieCurry]

Wow. How much tin IS in her hat?

[JohnPopa]

Why doesn't it ever occur to these people that they have heat with people for real reasons, instead of perceived resistance to their religious beliefs?

[RockabyeHamlet]

That is such bull****. I just lost even more respect for her.

[Rathnait62]

Please. The main producer on WICKED is David Stone for chrissake. One of the most difficult people on the PLANET. I worked with him when he had his first assistant job in a producer's office, and he thought he was God's gift even then. I'm sure he is not an easy guy to work for.

[ljay889]

I don't understand how Kristin admitting she had drama with Wicked could make you lose respect for her?

[Elphaba3]

You lost respect for her because she's strong in her beliefs, yet open-minded? That's f*cking stupid. She doesn't seem bitter about her Tony loss at all. I think she knows that as amazing as she was, it's Idina's show.

[FindingNamo]

The funniest part of reading this is recalling the minute-by-minute description of Kristin's last Wicked show. I remember laughing and laughing and laughing as the person who posted it projected all over the place about the love and deep friendship that clearly existed between Kristin and Idina. I remember thinking, it's call ACTING!

[Corine2]

Well Namonette,
I have met both Cheno and Idina.
Cheno is a sweetheart. Idina is either painfully shy or a mean B-I-T-C-H. I will give her the benefit of the doubt and say shy.

[mad4music]

Honestly who gives a crap what religion you are if you have talent like Kristin's. I doubt and seriously hope that her being a Christian didn't have an affect on her Brdway career. Do Broadway producers, etc really care about religion? I mean, if a religious minority, like a Mormon or a Jew, was to go audition and blow them away, do you really think the actor's faith would matter? I would hope the theatre world wouldn't stoop that low!

[Elphaba3]

FindingNamo, Kristin DID NOT mention Idina's name. She could have been talking about anyone. It sounded to me like she was talking about the producers. Get over yourself.

[Corine2]

Cheno is adorable. She is so friendly.
She is a decent person.

[LizzieCurry]

"I mean, if a religious minority, like a Mormon or a Jew, was to go audition and blow them away, do you really think the actor's faith would matter?"

Sometimes they'll go to lengths to accomodate them, too. When Dudu Fisher was Valjean on Broadway, JC Sheets replaced him during Shabbot.

[zzannahk]

oh Corine2, now you've done it, now there will be a million posts about how nice Idina is and blah blah blah, and how then the rebuttal of how an actor's obligation ends at the stage, not the stage door.

[FindingNamo]

"I mean, if a religious minority, like a Mormon or a Jew, was to go audition and blow them away..."

Jewish, a religious minority? In showbiz? Honey, the Jews run showbiz. They invented it! Don't you think that's what Kristin was alluding to? And nobody would hire a Mormon on priciple.

[Corine2]

I don't do the stage door. I am not a tourist.
I met Idina at an event and she was shy. But some would say she was not friendly.
Cheno was at the same event and was very friendly.
Cheno gets a bad rap.
Cheno,is one of the nicest people I have ever met.

[Urban]

As much as I am 'ambivilant' on the show "Wicked", I will always love Kristen and defend her honour.

Saying that I am to lazy to do any knight-in-fabulous-armour at the moment.

[LizzieCurry]

"And nobody would hire a Mormon on priciple."

LOL...oh, no, don't tell these folks:

http://saas.byu.edu/catalog/current/depts/Dance/major.aspx

[mad4music]

"And nobody would hire a Mormon on priciple."

Assuming the word was principle, I still don't get it. What were you trying to say?

[Corine2]

Cheno-
Let me just say that I have met Cheno about five times and each time she was bubbly, friendly and sweet.
The woman is a triple threat.
She has a voice of an Angel.
She is beautiful and she is friendly.
People can get jealous of her.
She is very talented and very kind.
And she stole the show in Apple Tree and Wicked.

[FindingNamo]

Me and my typos.

Corine, your inside scoops are invaluable.

[mad4music]

speaking of Mormons.... does anyone actually know of a Broadway performer who has been LDS? I can't say that I ever have. Would it really matter if they were?

[FindingNamo]

Nobody would hire them because nobody wants to be judged through those giant clenched smiling teeth.

That hack Neil LaBute is a Mormon convert/bad off-Broadway playwright.