Off To See The Wizard

For my first post, I thought I could drop some crazy bombshell news or nab an exclusive interview.  Nope, I'm not that special......yet.

However, I do have a piece of info that is keeping my stomach in knots of excitement.  I nearly "squeed" with delight when I saw that the New York Post is reporting that both Kristin Chenoweth AND Lea Michele have signed on to star in the 2011 animated telling of Frank Baum's "Dorothy of Oz".

From the NY Post: "Lea will take on the role of the title character, Dorothy, while Kristin is planning to lend her voice to the role of China Doll Princess, a new edition to the storyline (Kristin already has a history with Oz — she famously played Glinda the Good Witch in the Broadway production of "Wicked" in 2003). As for the plot, the story focuses on what happened to Oz after Dorothy left, and the action kicks off as she returns to Kansas, which has been decimated by the twister that transported her to the technicolor world."

As for the remaining actors, Dan Aykroyd will star as The Scarecrow, Kelsey Grammer as the Tin Man, and James Belushi as the Lion. The full casting announcement should come soon, but Kristin and Lea are definitely signed on.

Now, I love everything Kristin Chenoweth has been in. Like the Disney version of "The Music Man" with Matthew Broderick (2003), where a very young, very innocent Kristin Chenoweth stars as Marion the Librarian, complete with curly wig and girlish charm. Or that time she starred in the short-lived Pushing Daisies on ABC and subsequently won an Emmy. I loved that show.

But a crossover with Lea Michele in an animated feature (with great music, hopefully)?  I'm trying so hard not to piddle a little.  Fortunately, I will have the return of April Rhodes in the back 9 episodes to hold me over until 2011! Are you as excited about this as I am??