Allison Janney proves there's more to life than a '9 to 5' existence

Allison Janney

Movies, TV, theater. Allison Janney has done it all and excelled in all three fields. She may be best known to TV audiences as C.J. Cregg, the U.S. President’s press secretary on "The West Wing" (a role which garnered Janney four Emmy Awards), but since "The West Wing" went off the air in 2006, Janney has been doing standout work in mostly films and on stage. She’s been nominated for a 2009 Tony Award for playing office manager Violet Newstead in the Broadway production of "9 to 5" — a role originally played by Lily Tomlin in the 1980 "9 to 5" movie. Janney has already won a Drama Desk Award for "9 to 5," and on June 7, she will find out if she will add a Tony to her collection of awards.

That same weekend, Janney’s comedy film "Away We Go" arrives on the big screen in limited release. "Away We Go" tells the story of live-in couple Burt Farlander and Verona De Tessant (played by John Krasinski and Maya Rudolph), who are expecting a baby and go on a cross-country journey to relocate to a new home. Janney has a supporting role as Lily, Verona’s outspoken former boss, who has a larger-than-life presence with the people around her, including her husband, Lowell (played by Jim Gaffigan), and their two kids. At the New York City press junket for "Away We Go," Janney took time out from her rigorous "9 to 5" schedule to chat about "Away We Go," what it was like to get career help from Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward and what she’s heard about the sequel to 2007’s "Hairspray" movie.

You’re currently doing eight shows a week on Broadway in "9 to 5," so doing this movie must’ve felt like a vacation.

Truly. It was. I got to do it in Phoenix, Arizona, in the 120-degree heat. I’ve never been in such heat in my life. And filming it at the dog track right out in the bright sun. We really had to drink a lot of water. I got faint a couple of times. It was serious heat. I’d never had to perform in those conditions. And I felt bad for the dogs, too. I wanted to go and rescue them all and take them home with me. I was sick and on antibiotics. And antibiotics in the sun? Not a good combo. I think that’s what made me dizzy.

You worked with Sam Mendes in "American Beauty," the first feature film he directed. What was it like working with him again on "Away We Go"?

As far as I was concerned, he was right on from the get-go. Sam has such a confidence about him that is so attractive as a director, to be that confident and enjoy what he does. You know when people really love what they do? It’s just nice to be with them and be around them. And with Sam, to have rehearsals for "American Beauty," he had us all sitting around a table. Even me, and I didn’t have that big of a part in it, but to be there every day for rehearsals, I really felt like I was part of the movie.

I love that he knows how to talk to actors and give good direction. He inspires an actor. He’s not just a traffic cop. He really knows what he’s doing. And to work with him on this ["Away We Go"] … after all of the successes he’s had. He’s even more confident. He encouraged me to go out on a limb with this character. She’s big. Lily’s a big character. I was a little nervous about going as big as I did. He was like, "Oh, you can be bigger than that. Go on." I hope I get to be part of his acting troupe.

Allison Janney in "Away We Go"

Did you and the other comedic actors in the film give Sam Mendes any tips on comedy, since "Away We Go" is his first comedic film?

No. He’s a funny man. He’s married to Kate [Winslet], who’s pretty funny, too. Did you ever see her on "Extras"? Sam is a very funny, smart-witted guy. I think he knows what he’s looking for. He doesn’t need any help in that department. I would follow him off a cliff.

Did the theater background you and Sam Mendes have really help you?

When anyone ever gives me direction, I go big, and they tell me to pull back. It’s better to be big and pull back than not to be able to go big. I haven’t had a problem embarrassing myself.

A lot of "Away We Go" is about finding a definition of "home" and revisiting people form the past. Have you had any experiences you want to share about revisiting people from your past since you became a famous actress?

Well, there’s Facebook, just in terms of having people contact you from your past. And also now, being on Broadway, I’ve had a lot of people come backstage whom I haven’t seen in a long time. It’s been kind of bittersweet. I felt a little sad, a little nostalgic for the past. "Wow, it was that long ago. We went to college together, and oh my gosh! Look at you now." It’s been amazing to reconnect with so many people. And now everyone knows where I am, so they can come find me and come backstage. It’s nice, but it always makes you feel like, "God, did I make the right choices? What did I do? Look what they did." Everyone has a little bit of that …

I always thought the movie ["Away We Go"] should be called, "Anywhere You Go, There You Are." That’s one of the hardest lessons to learn: to be at peace where you are, and your home is where you make it; it doesn’t matter where it is. I feel like wherever I’m working is home.

Allison Janney, Dolly Parton and "9 to 5" musical co-star Marc Kudsich at the 2009 Tony Nominees Press Reception

Congratulations on your Tony nomination for "9 to 5." Besides that, what’s been one of the best highlights of doing "9 to 5" on Broadway?

Working with Dolly Parton. That’s been just crazy, to be in her presence every day, just hanging out with Dolly. She’s an extraordinary woman and so generous. It’s nice to be around someone who’s that famous and see how down-to-earth they are and how lovely they are. She’s really truly, truly talented and so smart. Sometimes you forget [because of] the way she dresses and looks, you do kind of judge her, you have a preconceived notion of what she’s like. And then you find out that she’s actually not in any way cheap or tawdry. She’s incredibly smart and brilliant and talented. That’s been pretty great.

And just getting to sing on Broadway and dance. There’s this one big number I get to do in a white pant suit with all the boys. It’s like a dream come true. To do a number like that? Seven people in the world get to do that.

Where do you get all that energy?

I don’t know. I sleep in a lot. I’m not having much of a life outside this ["9 to 5" Broadway show] right now … I don’t have much of a personal life right now.

Where do you get your passion for acting?

My mother was an actress, and I’m sure that’s what started it … I get so excited when I read scripts and I read good writing and I get so excited about thinking about saying that line or saying this line. I don’t know what it is. I love it so much. I think it’s because I’m not me [when I’m playing a role]. Not to be self-deprecating, but I do sometimes find that I’m always at a loss for words. To get to play a character where the script is all there and you memorize it, you can be great. It’s a real satisfying feeling to get to do that. I love to play being other people.

Stars of "9 to 5" movie and stage musical

Pictured from left to right: Lily Tomlin, Allison Janney, Megan Hilty, Dolly parton, Jane Fonda and Stephanie J. Block

Can you talk about Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward helping you out early in your acting career?

I went to Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio, and Paul Newman went there; he was a graduate. When I was a freshman there, they had built this beautiful new theater, and he came back to christen the theater by directing the first play in it — written by Michael Cristofer. So I met [Paul Newman] and got into the play and then met Joanne Woodward, who told me to come to New York to the Neighborhood Playhouse, and I did plays with her that she directed. They kind of took me under their wing. I was very lucky to get to hook up with them. It was really nice to have them when I came to New York. Joanne would have us all to their house in Westport [in Connecticut], we’d do play readings, she directed us in plays. She was very generous with her time.

What was the name of the play you did with Paul Newman at Kenyon?

It was called "C.C. Pyle and the Bunion Derby." It didn’t go anywhere, but Michael Cristofer won the Pulitzer Prize for [the 1977 play] "The Shadow Box." He’s an amazing actor.

"Away We Go" co-stars Allison Janney and Jim Gaffigan

Lily and Lowell have such different personalities. Did you and Jim Gaffigan ever discuss how these two characters might’ve gotten together?

I think it was a drunken night at the bar. Truly. I think the lighting was low and Lily and Lowell probably got drunk and made out. They probably dated for a while and got engaged because they were scared they weren’t going to find anybody else and they ended up together in this tragic relationship. They’re so desperate …

How do you think Lily and Lowell’s kids would turn out?

Hopefully, they’ll be resilient and tough. They need to get some love somewhere though.

What was your first impression of the script?

It’s definitely a road movie. I’m a huge fan of Dave Eggers, so I was kind of predisposed to like it. I liked it right away. I don’t remember my first impression, except it was a Dave Eggers story. I think I said I’d do it before I even read it.

Allison Janney and Maya Rudolph in "Away We Go"

Lily is so in-your-face with what’s on her mind. Can you talk about that aspect of her personality?

That’s what I love about Lily. She thinks she’s the funniest person on the planet.

She says so many obnoxious things, so how do you make your likeable?

Because I think you have to identify with her. I see some of her tragedy. You have to have some feeling for her, some empathy for her. That’s what I have to do with every character I play: I have to find something that I like about them or that I relate to. I think it’s her unhappiness or feeling that you’re with the wrong person … I don’t have kids but I can relate to the tragic side of characters. I don’t know why. It makes them sad; it makes them human, no matter what they cover it up with, it’s nice to know what’s underneath.

Actors who work on a TV series and Broadway shows have very rigorous work schedules. Can you compare and contrast the challenges of doing a TV series and Broadway show, since you’ve done both?

When I did "The West Wing," the most demanding thing is the time commitment and the early calls, 6 a.m. calls, not getting to the set until 3 p.m. and trying to maintain you anger and your poise — because you start to think "Oh my God, I could’ve been at my brother’s bar mitzvah or whatever." It’s a scheduling nightmare … That is a real down side of just sitting around in your trailer, waiting and waiting and waiting. The actual work is really fun.

I think Broadway is all about maintaining your body for the performances, because it’s so grueling on so many levels. The singing — I have to protect my voice. I have to make sure I don’t get sick. I have to go to sleep early and not go out after the show. I have to really maintain my health. If I had the flu, I could still do a walk and talk. But to kick and sing and run around is so demanding — and doing it for a year, eight shows a week. But I love them all. I just want to work. I’ll suffer the pros and cons of every one of them.

Allison Janney in "The West Wing"

Many of the stars of ‘Away We Go" have also done TV series. How did that affect the acting process of this movie?

It didn’t really come into play. The thing that came into play was mostly to not laugh when I did the scenes with John [Krasinski] and Maya [Rudolph] and Jim [Gaffigan]. We would just get the giggles and not stop. Sam [Mendes] finally got really mad at us and say, "Let’s move on." And we’d say, "No, we can do this," and then we’d start laughing … Jim Gaffigan is a very funny man. I never knew his work before I got cast in this with him. He’s amazing.

Any thoughts on your Lily character making a pass at John Krasinski’s character in this movie?

I loved it! I got to kiss him and it was so much fun. He’s wonderfully tall.

What are your thoughts on taking a comedic character like Lily but making her dramatic enough so she didn’t become a caricature?

I wanted it grounded in reality. I knew it was at the heart of Lily. You can go anywhere if you know the truth.

Amanda Bynes and Allison Janney in 2007's "Hairspray"

At what point in your life did you know that comedy was meant for you?

I grew up watching "The Carol Burnett Show." I was in love with that show … That was the best comedy. I grew up watching it over and over. That’s what I want to do. I love to do physical comedy. I’m not a stand-up comic. I can’t come up with funny jokes, but I know behavior that’s funny. I’m lucky I get to do that.

How do you compare the awards season for theater versus the awards season for TV?

The theater awards season seems much more manageable and much more civilized than the world of TV award shows [which] is much more of a huge circus.

Ellen Page, Olivia Thirlby and Allison Janney in "Juno"

You got great reviews for "Juno." Can you talk about any similarities between "Juno" and "Away We Go"?

They’re small and not big-budget films. They feel very similar in that they’re dealing with … something human …very real issues that people can relate to.

If you could meet or hang out with any of the characters you’ve played, which one would it be?

C.J. [from "The West Wing"] would be great to know. She’s a great gal. Also, [Loretta], my character in "Drop Dead Gorgeous." She’d be fun to hang out with and drink beers with.

What have you heard about the sequel to the 2007 "Hairspray" movie and will you be in it?

I don’t know. They haven’t asked me to be in it yet … Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman [who worked on the "Hairspray" soundtrack] are friends of mine. I’ll be talking to them very shortly.

[Says jokingly] Zac Efron might be a holdout. He backed out of the "Footloose" musical movie remake because he’s said he wants to move on from doing musicals.

[She says in a mock exasperated voice] Oh my God!