Stage star Kristin Chenoweth says working with the would-be Dorothys on CBC-TV's Over the Rainbow proved to be the perfect medicine as she recovers from a head injury.
"I have been in a healing process because I was hurt about 10 weeks ago," said Chenoweth, referring to a summer accident on the set of CBS's The Good Wife.
"What I needed was this. [For] my soul, it was like water in a desert. And I was inspired."
Chenoweth serves as a guest mentor on tonight's instalment of the program, which aims to find the lead for an upcoming Mirvish production of The Wizard of Oz.
University of Victoria student Christie Stewart made the final 20 participants vying for a spot on the show but was eliminated prior to the final 10.
Chenoweth, an Emmy and Tony winner, says the Dorothys didn't know she was coming and she surprised them as they were singing a number from her Broadway smash Wicked.
Many told the performer she'd been a role model for them, but Chenoweth said it was actually the contestants who inspired her.
"For me, growing up it was Phantom of the Opera and Les Miz. Those were the shows that were the Holy Grail and when I hear nine girls singing from Wicked ... that's the show that they all like and it makes me happy that I was a part of it," she said.
"To hear them singing, it really was food for the soul."
Chenoweth's accident happened in July when an overhead lighting rig struck her in the face, rendering her unconscious.
She suffered a skull fracture as well as rib, neck and back injuries.
"I'm better," said the actress, who burst onto the theatre scene as Sally in the 1999 production of You're A Good Man Charlie Brown.
"I'm really impressed with the makeup artist who covered a lovely bruise I've got on my nose, but it's definitely getting better. And I am so thankful to be getting back into the swing of life and what I love to do."
Added the actress, whose TV credits include Glee and Pushing Daisies: "When you see young talent it makes you think of when you started. And it wasn't so long ago that I do remember being them."
Previously mounted in London, the Mirvish production of The Wizard of Oz is the brainchild of Andrew Lloyd Webber and contains four new songs written by the theatre guru and his longtime collaborator Tim Rice.
Tickets for the show - which opens in December - go on sale Monday and the company is offering one free opening night pass to the first 200 people in line at the Ed Mirvish Theatre.
Over The Rainbow airs Sunday and Mondays on CBC-TV.
