JANE KRAKOWSKI - KRAKOWSKI'S THEATRE EDUCATION

NINE star JANE KRAKOWSKI is unsurprised that she ended up on the Broadway stage because her parents bought her up on theatre.

The blonde actress is currently enjoying her stint working opposite Latin hunk ANTONIO BANDERAS in the feted production, which claimed the Best Revival of a Musical at last night's TONY AWARDS (08JUN03).

But for Jane, theatre has always been of the highest importance.

She recalls, "I started taking dance lessons at three in New Jersey. My parents were very interested and they used to take me to see Broadway shows all the time and I did a lot of local community theatre and instead of getting a babysitter they would bring me with them.

"I was always around the theatre and influenced by the theatre. It was always somewhere where I saw my family going to have fun

so I've always wanted to do this. I just can't believe it's become an entire occupation."