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Kristin Chenoweth speaks to the theater geeks

It’s true that the second season of Pushing Daisies won’t be hitting our screens until the terribly far date of Oct. 1, but don’t despair, my dear Kristin Chenoweth-addicted friends; there’s good news on the horizon. The Tony Award winning actress will be hosting her very own documentary on PBS, Shakespeare on the Hudson, a behind-the-scenes look at The Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival’s production of Twelfth Night.

Indeed, it’s time for us theater lovers to geek-out full force as Chenoweth takes us through the troupe’s process of preparing and performing the infamous Shakespeare comedy. The documentary will follow the actors from auditions to call backs to opening night, as well as highlight all of the off-stage drama that accompanies any successful production.

I imagine it will be a bit like Noises Off but without the sardines. (I’m hoping that the other four people besides me that have actually seen that are reading this.)

Shakespeare on the Hudson will debut on PBS on Sept.18 at 8 p.m. EST and will be followed at 9 p.m. by Twelfth Night: The Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival. Set your DVRs and slip on your “Thespians do it on stage” T-shirt: It’s going to be an interesting night!

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  • music is life's picture

    I'm so excited about this,

    I'm so excited about this,  I love Kristin, she's so adorable!
    renthead's picture

    KRISTIN!!!

    This was really good news to hear after they announced that Kristin won't be in the Wicked movie because she will be too old by that time.

    Something to tide me over while I wait for Pushing Daisies....and Kristin's Christmas CD...and Kristin's Christmas movie....etc.

    I can't wait!!!

    Carol's picture

    Well put

    I can't see a better actress to play Galinda!

    Kristin is so talented!

    Jess's picture

    Really? I hadn't heard that

    Really? I hadn't heard that she wouldn't be in the Wicked movie. I thought she probably wouldn't be in it, but hadn't heard anything to support or contradict that.

    That really stinks. I can imagine another Elphaba (Dee Roscioli, for one.) but Kristen just. It definitely won't be the same without her. The way she played that part is just irreplaceable.

    Though I guess I understand where they're coming from- although she's probably good to play a teenager on stage, it becomes much more difficult when there are close-up shots on film. 

    Lori's picture

    I heard that...

    I've heard that if anyone was to play Glinda or Elphaba right now it'd probably be Megan Hilty and Shoshana Bean. They are amoung the two youngest Wicked girls and they have amazing chemistry together. It's all speculation though. I'm sure Hollywood will screw this movie up though and hire known actresses. They already did that with Mamma Mia and Hairspray...although Hairspray was tolerable because they actually went out and found an unknown for the lead. Rent has been the only movei/musical to stay true to the broadway cast.

    Even though Idina and Kristin won't be able to be in the movie I hope they can have a cameo somewhere. Like possibly as a professor or something. That'd be awesome.

     

    DerangedBeanie's picture

    Awesome!

    I love Cheno! And the Twelfth Night, or What You Will. And maybe there will be sardines. We theatre folk are a crazy people.
    LadySam's picture

    Niice, I'm reading Twelfth

    Niice, I'm reading Twelfth Night right now, it's a brillant play.
    Faye's picture

    Here's one of the four...

    I love Noises Off and Carol Burnett's antics with the sardines.
    guiltyone58's picture

    I love Noises off! lol

    haha, i just finished Stage Managing Leading Ladies by Ken Ludwig and they talk about Twelfth Night all through it :)

    can't wait!

    rebecca's picture

    Yea!!

    I had already heard about this, being that I'm a huge geek with google alerts for Kristin Chenoweth and several other people, but I'm always excited to see theatre-related coverage here.  And of course, always excited to see Cheno-related coverage as well.

    Speaking of which--in case anyone hasn't seen this (sorry if AE has already covered this), she's set to receive the Point Courage Award from the Point Foundation, an org that grants scholarships to LGBT students.  More info here.

    jordan-writes's picture

    I love Kristin

    Woo more Chenoweth for the world (and me...) to see!

    SergeantPepper's picture

    Kristin!!

    Nothing's better than more opportunities to see Kristin Chenoweth.  I haven't watched PBS since my Sesame Street days. I will be watching this though,  not only because Kristin is in this, but the documentary sounds really interesting as well.  Can't wait!
    Melissa's picture

    Noises Off is classic.

    yay kristin!

    really, i just wanted to comment about Noises Off--excellent movie. carol burnette (LOVE her) and nicolette sheiridan pre being housewives-ified. oh michael caine! he's the best. lol actually i forgot how much i loved it!

    -Melissa

    JenBen's picture

    lol

    i'm just glad to finally find someone else who has seen noises off. none of my friends have even heard of it. it's just a great goofy comedy

    Ed Would's picture

    Allow me to slip on my cloak of superiority...

    ... and say that no production of Twelfth Night can ever best the one that I saw recently. A promenade piece set in and around the grounds of a castle in the Yorkshire dales. Viola arrived in an actual boat.

    You suck, television adaptations!

    Pirategrrrl's picture

    Does anyone else ...

    Find it really strange that Kristin Chenoweth, a musical theatre actor with next to NO training in classical theatre, is doing this documentary?

    While I fully admit to her own talent ... it isn't Shakespeare. Surely there are better suited actors ... Kevin Kline pops to mind.

    So no ... Kristin Chenoweth does NOT "speak" to theatre geeks ... she speaks to her fans.

    My treasure is my gallant bark,
    My only God is liberty;
    My law is might, the wind my mark,
    My country is the sea.

    Jay's picture

    "I imagine it will be a bit

    "I imagine it will be a bit like Noises Off but without the sardines. (I’m hoping that the other four people besides me that have actually seen that musical movie are reading this.)"

     Girl, Noises Off isn't a musical movie! It's a straight-up farce. It's so good though...I was stage manager for it at my high school. Gluing sardines with gorilla glue to the plate then covering them with KY Jelly to make it more life-like...Oh those were good times. 

    Lori's picture

    CHENO!

    So i will definitely be watching this for Kristen! She is one of my all time favorites! She was amazing in Wicked!!!

    Thanks for covering something thatrical for once! You guise rock!

     

    lushbliss's picture

    ooo thats exciting!

    ooo thats exciting!
    LynzLou's picture

    Love Kristin!

    Thanks for sharing this!! I love Kristin! I had no idea about the documentary and am now very excited to watch! Thanks again for the article!
    Svet's picture

    love her!

    something to look forward to!! :) this is exciting