'People Who Are Fans . . . Watch Every Detail'
'30 Rock' Is Just One Facet of Jane Krakowski's Success

Sunday, September 27, 2009

She may have been a runner-up in the Emmy race last weekend, but Washington audiences are hungry for Jane Krakowski, the Tony Award-winning actress. She brings a cabaret-style show to the Kennedy Center this Saturday night and the first one sold out so quickly, she had to add a second show.

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 and grew up not far away in Parsippany, N.J., where her parents taped all the Tony Awards shows so she would dream, watch and imitate. She learned to skate for the Broadway musical "Starlight Express" and received a Tony nomination for "Grand Hotel." In 2003 she won a Tony and Drama Desk award for the revival of "Nine" and, in 2006, an Olivier for her role in "Guys and Dolls." Last year she did a summer production in New York of "Damn Yankees" following in the path set by dancing great Gwen Verdon.

We checked in with Krakowski during her lunch break from the set of "30 Rock."

-- Jacqueline Trescott

What scenes were you working on this morning?

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.

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.

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.

Your show at the Kennedy Center sold out very quickly, almost a Springsteen record.

I'm a little terrified. What do people think they are going to get? Why are they so anxious to come? I didn't know the desire was out there. I'm nervous because I haven't done this in a while. I did an American Songbook series at Lincoln Center but that was four years ago. It was material from the Prohibition era. I love the women from that time period and how they expressed their sensuality.

What are you preparing for this engagement?

I'm going to do songs from other female performers who influenced me -- Anita O'Day, Ann-Margret, Eartha Kitt. It is a little sexy, a little funny. I'll do a song from "Nine" if we can fit it in. This is basically a whole new show for me. Right now, there are three songs I've done before. The other 12 or so songs are all new for me. I've been practicing at work. And the people at work, they walk by and hear me and say, "If you don't know that one by now, maybe you should leave it out."

You do the spectrum of singing, comedy, acting. Any preferences?

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.

Yet you also managed do some Web episodes 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."

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!

Keeping up with the television and personal appearance schedule must require a lot of energy. And you are doing something called aero-boxing, what is that?

Well, I work with a boxer, and you box your arms into the air and then onto pads. It's a really hard workout. But I still take a lot of dance classes.