Jane Krakowski keeps things light through the different awards seasons
Jane Krakowski knows what busy feels like. She's currently finishing up her Tony-nominated run on Broadway in "She Loves Me" before heading back to work on her Netflix series, "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt." And while the crunch of Tony season is behind her, Emmy nominations will be announced in mid-July, which means she could be hitting even more red carpets and special events before the summer is out.
Krakowski spoke to CBS News about her hectic schedule, her new role as an Honorary Good Humor Woman to help with the ice cream company's new "Welcome to Joyhood" multi-city tour and keeping summer traditions alive.
You put on quite a performance at the Tonys. How was that night for you?
As an audience member I was so thrilled to be there, and I thought it was the best Tonys broadcast I've seen in a very long time. I loved James Corden and I thought he did a spectacular job. There was so much love and support in the room; it was a very loving evening. It was a very special night. It was funny because I felt like I was a part of so many things because I'd gotten to participate in so many activities -- like the opening number and then my nomination and then being in "Carpool Karaoke." I felt very included and that was very special for me.
It had the odd distinction of being the first public major public event after the Orlando shooting, which must've been tough.
I think James did the most wonderful job starting off the show and dedicating the entire evening to the people of Orlando and the people of America and the tragedy. I think that is what made the tone so loving and so supportive, and this community is so full of that anyway. I mean, this community is all about embracing and love, so I think that was a perfect way to start off what was a very difficult day for our country.
What got you onboard with Good Humor for this campaign?
To me, one of my most favorite memories as a child was the Good Humor ice cream truck coming around. So when they asked me to be an honorary Good Humor Woman for the day to kick off their "Welcome to Joyhood" campaign and tour, I was excited to be a part of it because it brought back all sort of joyous summer memories. And it was not lost on me that being in "She Loves Me," one of the most famous songs from the show is called "Ice Cream," so the tie-in seemed to match the joyous time that was going on in my life.
Do you have any summer traditions that have carried on into adulthood?
Sure, yeah. I actually started a tradition with my family every Friday after I pick them up from school we go by the park where the ice cream truck is, since that's always been one of my favorite childhood memories. I grew up in New Jersey and we would always go to the Jersey Shore every year, so we're carrying on that summer tradition as well of going to the beach with my son. I mean, that's one of the lovely things you can do as a parent -- have your most sacred memories be passed down to your kids as well, if that's possible.
How is it to transition from Tony season to Emmy season with all the events that go with that?
It sort of just keeps the excitement going, really. I'm so, so happy that I was able to be a part of "She Loves Me" on Broadway -- that it fit into my hiatus from "Kimmy" -- and I never expected to be welcomed back to the Broadway community with such open arms in the way that I was for this show. That alone has touched me so much and made this whole experience one of my favorites. Now, as we're wrapping that up, I can't wait to get back to season three of "Kimmy" and see what happens with Emmy time and "Kimmy Schmidt."
The Emmy support that we'd gotten for "30 Rock" so early on is what really kept us on the air, so these things really do help get you more seasons. Our ultimate goal is do many, many more seasons, especially of shows like this that I love so much. So that stuff always helps and is always a great fun time to get to go. If we're so lucky.
Do you have a sense of where "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt" could go in season three?
We were so excited about season two while we were making it because it was the first season we made knowing we were on Netflix. So it became more of a Netflix show, I think. It gave Tina Fey and Robert Carlock and our entire team of incredible writers a chance to delve even further into what I think is more unique about our show, which is the tone -- that it is such a dark topic, but told through such lightness and humor. I really feel like they opened up all the characters in that manner this season.
I cannot wait to go back. I can't wait to see what they have up their sleeves for all of us next year. I love these characters, and I love how individual each one of these characters are and represent different cross sections of personalities of people around the world. So I can't wait to see where they bring us all next. I'm really hoping Lilian (Carol Kane) is Mayor of New York.