Janeane Garofalo takes on 'Russian Transport' Off Broadway

Janeane Garofalo, actress, activist and comedian is adding a new chapter to her unconventional career: New York theater. The 47-year-old stars in "Russian Transport," an Off Broadway production about Russian immigrants trying to make it in Brooklyn.

Although Garofalo has done plenty of television and film work ("The Truth About Cats and Dogs," "The West Wing," "Wet Hot American Summer," "The Larry Sanders Show," "Mystery Men"), but this is her first foray into stage work.

"This is my first official play," she tells Playbill. "Initially, I passed. I thought I couldn't do it, play a Russian immigrant mom who is running a business. I didn't think I could vacillate between the English with the Russian accent and the Russian dialogue."

But director Scott Elliot convinced the actress to take on the role.

"I met Scott to tell him this and by the end of lunch I had agreed to do it. He talked me into it, but he is one of the greatest directors I have ever worked with. He says all the right things all of the time."