Standing Ovation

Marlo Thomas' Favorite Performance

Uta Hagen went underneath the skin of Martha in the original production of "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?"

Chris Game on John Cazale in 'Dog Day Afternoon'

As Fredo, Cazale almost shrinks himself. The lips are thin, the mustache is thin, the clothes are too big. He embodies that chair like a praying mantis on his back, flailing on the ice, then collapses in exhaustion.

William Esper on Alfred Lunt in 'The Visit'

Lunt filled his performance with the genuine inner agony that gave birth to his performance. I understood that in acting, no matter how vivid the external form, if it lacks inner content, it ultimately leads to an empty experience.

JoBeth Williams on Robert Duvall in 'Tender Mercies'

Robert Duvall's performance as Mac Sledge in "Tender Mercies" took my breath away and embodied what I consider the ultimate goal of an actor: to simply live in the skin of the character.

Jackie Earle Haley on Matthew Fox in 'Lost'

When Matthew's character started to realize that he had died, his performance was so real, so true, so honest, that I started to choke up. I was still completely engrossed in the moment.

Richard Maltby Jr. on Zoe Caldwell in 'The Way of the World'

Zoe Caldwell, I never met you, but you changed my life. And isn't that what theater is all about, changing the lives of people you'll never meet?

Julia Murney on Audra McDonald in 'The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess'

Julia Murney of "The Wild Party" and "Wicked" celebrates Audra McDonald's work in the Gershwin revival.

Jamie Harris on Richard Harris in 'This Sporting Life'

My father's turn in "This Sporting Life" was a fantastic performance. He was an animal. He was a brooding man. The '60s really had that brooding, strong man.

Alan Mandell on Frances McDormand in 'Good People'

She was that character. There was something so vulnerable about her. She was so convincing, she made me actually squirm in my seat. It was like being a child again.

Jason Alexander on the cast of 'Network'

I've been part of some amazing ensembles in my career. So I am always more impressed by the work of an ensemble. Ensembles are a special kind of magic.