See Jane Sing

Feb 26, 2015

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On Friday, March 6, Jane Lynch will take the stage at the historic Paramount Theatre for her first live performance in Austin. “See Jane Sing” is a clever combination of this multi-talented performer leveraging her gift for song, comedy and acting. Many were introduced to Jane through the Christopher Guest mockumentary’s such as Best in Show and of course, the tough as nails cheerleading coach, Sue Sylvester in GLEE. The show is receiving rave reviews for its humor, quick pace and a fantastic opening act, Tim Davis, the music director of GLEE. I chatted with Jane about Austin, the show and being visible as a role model.

LY: This is your first time to perform in Austin, but is it your first visit to Austin?

JL: No, I have been to Austin before. I have been to the festival and I went to a friend’s wedding there. I love it! I think it is a great town!

LY: Do you have any favorites or must do’s?

JL: Oh, I don’t know it well enough to have that just yet. I know that I had some good barbecue and listened to some good music!

LY: As a performer who capably combines comedy, acting and singing, I was curious to know which talent came first?

JL: Well I think they all kind of converged on my birth! (laughs) I’ve been doing all of them on stage for as long as I can remember. I love to sing…not exactly a dancer (laughs). And I have always loved to act and be on stage. So that was always my thing, even as a little kid.

LY: So what was the inspiration to take the show on the road?

JL: The original inspiration was 54 below which is a cabaret space in New York. They offered me four nights and I took them without having a show! (laughs) So I challenged myself to come up with a show. I loved doing it so much, I decided to take it on the road. I get to work with these wonderful performers such as the Tony Guerrero Quintet who are just masters and I am so lucky to have them. I know Austin is a music town and will love and appreciate their work.

LY: What is your favorite song to perform?

JL: The show starts with me performing several songs by myself. I do this obscure Irving Berlin song called “Mr. Monotony” and my friend Kate Flannery joins me on stage where she remains for the rest of the show. Many will know Kate as Meredith “The Drunk” in The Office. She has been a friend of mine for almost 30 years and we just love performing together!

(June 17, 2014 – Source: D Dipasupil/Getty Images North America)

LY: We look forward to seeing Kate in Austin, as well! You have become a very visible person not only to the LGBT community, but also for strong female characters. Katherine Hepburn once commented that she was born during exactly the right time for her. Do you identify with this or do wish you were “coming of age” in this more open and accepting environment?

JL: No. I share the same feeling that Katherine Hepburn does. I believe that I am along for the absolute right time for who I am. Everything I’ve gone through has helped me have the empathy and compassion I have for kids these days. I know that I am a role model for kids. You can read my Twitter feed which is full of 13 and 14 year old kids, gay and straight, who are just trying to feel ok for who they are. The crazy Sue Sylvester helps them and the crazy Jane Lynch is someone they look to, as well! (laughs)

LY: We love to bring our L Style G Style audience to the interviews with us by allowing them to submit their own questions. And this one is from a school teacher, straight ally, Patience who wanted to know, “If you could go back and tell your younger self something, what would it be?”

JL: That I am absolutely fine the way I am and so is everybody else. And to relax and not worry so much!

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