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“If I only did one, I would long to do the other,’’ Jane Krakowski of “30 Rock’’ says of working on television and in theater.
(Jessica Miglio ) |
She segues from ‘Rock’ to stage roles
WASHINGTON - She may have been a runner-up in this year’s Emmy race, but TV star Jane Krakowski loves the stage.
Krakowski, 41, is known for her zany Jenna Maroney in “30 Rock’’ and her equally funny turn earlier as Elaine Vassal on “Ally McBeal.’’ But she is actually a Broadway baby who grew up not far away in Parsippany, N.J.
She learned to skate for the Broadway musical “Starlight Express’’ and received a Tony nomination for “Grand Hotel.’’ In 2003 she won a Tony for the revival of “Nine.’’ Last year she did a summer production in New York of “Damn Yankees’’ following in the path set by dancing great Gwen Verdon.
Krakowski answered a few questions during her lunch break from the set of “30 Rock,’’ which begins its new season tomorrow night.
Q. What scenes were you working on this morning?
A. I was working with Tracy Morgan. They are threatening to hire a new cast member, and we are plotting not to have that happen. I love when I get to do something with Tracy. Our characters are two of the most self-centered people in the world.
Q. Do you have a favorite Jenna line? “I lost my virginity to the soundtrack of ‘My Fair Lady,’ that’s why I have an English accent,’’ must be near the top.
A. Well, people always say “Muffin Top’’ from early on. And then some say, “We have an emergency,’’ with a big smile on their face. People who are fans are real fans; they watch every detail. They know details that are way in the back of the set. And they know a lot of jokes.
Q. You do the spectrum of singing, comedy, acting. Any preferences?
A. I believe I have been so lucky to go from theater to television. I love the variety. If I only did one, I would long to do the other. I love the live theater. You are with an audience every night. You are the last one responsible for it. I love the discipline of it.
Q. Yet you also managed to do some webisodes for Breyers Ice Cream that are extremely funny and very futuristic, inserting you into the classic scenes from “King Kong’’ and “Gone With the Wind.’’
A. These webisodes are the way of the future and I was very intrigued by the technology. I acted by myself for three days, and they used old Hollywood lighting. So I look like I am kissing Clark Gable!
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