Jane Krakowski Joins Cast Of NBC’s “30 Rock”

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. (August 17, 2006) — Jane Krakowski (”Ally McBeal”) will join the cast of NBC’s new comedy “30 Rock,” playing the star of “The Girlie Show,” a network variety show that serves as the backdrop for the workplace comedy.

The new series debuts on October 11 and will air on Wednesdays from 8:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. ET/PT on NBC.

“Jane is enormously talented and everyone is thrilled that she is joining the cast. I think it’s going to be a perfect fit,” said executive producer Lorne Michaels.

“30 Rock” is told through the comedic voice of Fey and features Alec Baldwin(”Jack Donaghy”) as the brash new network executive who has turned the show upside down with his meddling ways. Single Lemon is living every comedy writer’s dream – head writer on a demanding, live TV program in New York City. Her life is jolted when Donaghy (Baldwin, “The Aviator,” “The Cooler”)interferes with her show, and bullies Lemon into convincing Tracy Jordan (Tracy Morgan, NBC’s “Saturday Night Live,” “The Longest Yard”), a wild and unpredictable movie star, to join the cast. Now Lemon must manage the unmanageable so that the show – and her dream – can go on.

Also rounding out the cast in the half-hour comedy are Scott Adsit(”Pete Hornberger”)as the variety show’s producer and Jack McBrayer(”Kenneth the Page”)as the over-eager NBC ‘Page’ – a highly sought after entry level position with the network. Rachel Dratch (”Saturday Night Live”) will appear in multiple episodes, playing a variety of different characters on the series.

The New Jersey-born Krakowski is an accomplished actress, dancer and singer with numerous awards and credits to her name from film, theatre and television. For her stunning and sultry portrayal of “Carla” in Broadway’s “Nine” opposite Antonio Banderas, she won Tony, Drama Desk and Outer Critics awards. She won an Olivier Award while starring in “Guys and Dolls” with Ewan McGregor on the West End. Krakowski held other acclaimed roles in Broadway productions of “Grand Hotel,” “Company,” “Once Upon A Mattress,” “Tartuffe” and “Starlight Express.”

During her five-year stint on the Emmy, Golden Globe and SAG award-winning series “Ally McBeal,” she received a Golden Globe nomination for her portrayal of “Elaine Vassal.” Other credits include television appearances on NBC’s “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” and “Everwood.”

Maing her film debut as “Cousin Vickie” in “National Lampoon’s Vacation” with Chevy Chase, Krakowski has also starred alongside Jude Law in “Alfie,” the remake of the famous 1966 film, and in “Pretty Persuasion” with Evan Rachel Wood and James Woods. Most recently, she has lent her voice to two upcoming animated films, including “Surf’s Up” and “Open Season,” for Sony Animation.

In addition to singing on several original Broadway cast recordings and the “Ally McBeal” Christmas episode compilation CDs, Krakowski recorded the hit single track “You” with Jim Brickman on his recent album “Lovesongs and Lullabies.”

“30 Rock” is from Broadway Video and NBC Universal Television Studio. Executive producers are Lorne Michaels (”Saturday Night Live”), Tina Fey (”Saturday Night Live”), JoAnn Alfano (”Sons & Daughters”), Marci Klein (”Saturday Night Live”) and David Miner (”The Tracy Morgan Show”).