Chenoweth no Tony for Wicked because she was Christian?

"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

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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.

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?

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.

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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.

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.

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.

"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.

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"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.

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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.

"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?

Me and my typos.

Corine, your inside scoops are invaluable.

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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.

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