On Father's Day, Kristin Chenoweth Turns Spotlight On Adoption, Hints at Return to "Glee"

By: Jessica Derschowitz
Topics: News

Kristin Chenoweth launches Wendy's "Father's Day Frosty Weekend" on Monday, June 14, 2010, in New York.

(Credit: Getty/Astrid Stawiarz)

NEW YORK (CBS) Kristin Chenoweth has brought to center stage a cause close to her heart: adoption.

The star of television shows like "Pushing Daisies" and Broadway shows like "Wicked" invited a group of foster care children to visit her at New York's Broadway Theater on Monday, where she currently stars in "Promises, Promises."

Pictures: Kristin Chenoweth

Chenoweth, who is adopted, told CBS News on Thursday that, "the message is simple -- we want to get foster kids into homes."

"One of the things people forget about - if you have parents, you have parents. A lot of kids don't. I was lucky," she continued. "It's changed my life by having parents."

The event was put together by Wendy's to support the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption (Chenoweth noted that the Wendy's founder was an adoptee himself). Throughout their "Father's Day Frosty Weekend," the company is donating 50 cents from each Frosty it sells to benefit the foundation, which supports efforts to find homes for children awaiting adoption.

"There are so many kids without homes here in our own country," she said. "They just want the same opportunities that I had - unconditional love and self-esteem."

Chenoweth also mentioned that she'll have a busy Father's Day weekend - she has five shows to perform.

"I'll probably be in a show coma," she joked.

The event came the day after the 2010 Tony Awards, where Chenoweth performed on stage alongside her "Promises, Promises" co-star and the award show's host, Sean Hayes.

Pictures: Tony Awards 2010

Chenoweth said Hayes was a "great host" and that the two "work so well together." She also said she wasn't bitter over not getting a nomination for her work in the show, though Hayes and the musical itself did receive recognition.

"I wasn't nominated, but [the show] is selling out every night," she said. "When you're given lemons, you make lemonade."

After she finishes her run in "Promises, Promises," Chenoweth says she'll be working on a new album and will tour to support it. There's also a chance she'll reprise her guest role as the ballsy, boozy April Rhodes on Fox's "Glee."

"I've gotten to come back twice. They keep talking about what she's gonna do next, so I can only assume I'll be back," Chenoweth said.

The actress also said she has a new television project in the works.

"As long as I'm getting paid I'm good," she added. "I just keep on keeping on."