Kathryn Hahn can depict pretty much any character. She's played a calculated political operative in Parks and Recreation, a frustrated artist in I Love Dick, an earnest rabbi in Transparent and many, many more. Yet, one thing she hasn't taken on is a role in a musical -- until now. As the voice of Paige Tillerman, the matriarch of the Tillerman clan, in Apple TV+'s new animated series Central Park, Hahn is finally getting the chance to show off her musical-theater chops.
In an exclusive interview, Hahn spoke to CBR about why she decided to voice a character in a musical, how she prepared to sing for Central Park and the roles she enjoys taking on the most.
CBR: What appealed to you about Central Park?
Kathryn Hahn: The music, first and foremost. That was a thrilling aspect for me and something that I’d never really done before on this level. That was hearkened back to my days of doing like high school musicals, and that thrill and feeling, it's something that I'd always wanted to explore and never really had gotten a chance to. And why not start it at 45? So that was the first and foremost.
And then, of course, it was the combination of [co-creators] Loren Bouchard [who created Bob's Burgers], who I adore and just think so highly of and admire, and [Frozen's] Josh Gad, who, likewise, I just adore, and we had known each other kind of socially and, of course, I just think he is just the bee's knees. And then this crazy-talented group of vocal artists and actors that they had assembled was just like… the creme de la creme of Broadway performers that I just couldn't believe I was in the company of their voices, and also [co-star] Kristen [Bell] who I've worked [with] on Bad Moms. It was just a crazy-talented group of humans.
And all of that together was just… undeniable. It was kind of like the yes was said for me…. It was kind of predestined… there was no saying no… And my kids, of course, were so thrilled, and it was so fun to work on something like this. It just really did feel like I was back, this was that joyful feeling that I had when I was first doing plays, doing theater. It just felt so joyful.
What about the musical aspects of the show, how did you prep for that?
At least for me, they gave you the music before. I really did work on it before we would get into the booth. And then they… also helped work on the music with us, and then you know we just kind of like played. And I felt very comfortable. I was, of course, nervous the first time through, but we kind of just played in the booth. And they made it so easy. And I will say I'm a very skilled karaoke performer and I definitely brought those skills to the booth and we made it work. I kind of faked it til I made it, I guess.
Did the cast record together?
No, we never recorded together, so that’s why, when I saw the episodes, I was so impressed -- and this is such a credit to Loren Bouchard -- I couldn't believe the chemistry that was created. And I think that's just a testament to his casting and just his kind of magical chemistry…. You really feel chemistry between these characters and feel such a heart in that family, and I think that's just his experience of putting these casts together. You really do feel a warmth. And I was stunned by that because it was always just me in a booth with Loren, and the producers and the writers would be watching on the other side. But my only scene partner was, for the most part, Loren Bouchard and sometimes Josh….
You've never voiced a regular character in an animated series before. What made you want to make that kind of commitment?
I’ve done animation, I’ve done some animated movies but, yes, I've never done like a series before. I think it was because of Loren and because of Josh and I think it was just because of the thrill of this, because of this music. And because I knew that when it was proposed to me I knew it was going to be different composers that were going to be coming in, it's going to be different musical genres so that we were going to be able to try different things.
It was such a challenge to me as a performer, which is something that I'm always looking for. And commitment-wise as an actor, it's kind of incredible because you could do it from anywhere. So, I was working out of town, and you find a booth and you do it there. So it's kind of an incredible gig for a performer. And it's just fun… and it’s such a great group of humans. So, I just knew it was just going to be a no-brainer.
You've had a really eclectic career. What's your favorite kind of role to tackle?
I think my favorite kind of role is one that kind of straddles… that perfect line between comedy and drama, the one that lies right between. That’s my favorite. The one where you're not sure if you're going to burst into tears or hysterical laughter. That's my favorite kind of line to walk on, …which I think… encapsulates the… truest human experience, where you’re just right in between. That's my favorite kind of role.
Starring the voices of Leslie Odom Jr., Kathryn Hahn, Kristen Bell, Tituss Burgess, Josh Gad, Stanley Tucci and Daveed Diggs, the first two episodes of the 10-episode first season of Central Park premiere May 29 on Apple TV+. Subsequent new episodes arrive each Friday.