Richard Schiff, the Emmy-winning actor best known for his role as the sharp yet soulful Toby Ziegler on The West Wing, is stepping back into the world of theater with Becoming Eve, marking a poignant return to his artistic roots in New York City. In an exclusive interview, Schiff opened up about the personal and professional significance of this new project and what it means to revisit the stage after years of screen success.
For Schiff, theater has always been more than a stepping stone—it’s where he first honed his craft and developed the layered, nuanced performances that would later define his television career. Returning to New York theater feels like coming home. “It’s not just about acting,” Schiff explains. “It’s about rediscovering the raw intimacy of storytelling, where the connection between performer and audience is immediate and profound. That’s something unique to theater, and it’s something I’ve missed.”
Becoming Eve is an ambitious play that delves into themes of transformation, identity, and resilience. Schiff takes on a role that challenges him to inhabit deeply complex emotional spaces—something he admits is both daunting and exhilarating. “Theater demands total presence,” he says. “There’s no safety net. Each performance is alive, unpredictable, and different from the one before. That level of vulnerability is terrifying, but it’s also why I fell in love with acting in the first place.”
While audiences may know him best from his prolific television and film work—including The Good Doctor, where he plays Dr. Aaron Glassman—Schiff’s decision to return to the stage is part of a broader creative reawakening. “Television has given me incredible opportunities, but theater is where I can push myself in ways that cameras don’t always allow. It forces me to strip everything back and just be with the character.”
The actor also reflected on the changing landscape of theater in New York. In a post-pandemic era, audiences are hungrier than ever for live experiences, and Schiff sees Becoming Eve as a timely offering. “Theater has always been a mirror to society,” he notes. “Right now, we’re living in a world filled with uncertainty and reinvention. This play speaks directly to that hunger for authenticity and renewal.”
As for how his television fans might respond, Schiff believes they’ll see familiar shades of the thoughtful, introspective performer they’ve long admired—but with a new depth born from his return to the stage. “Every actor should go back to their roots at some point,” he reflects. “For me, this isn’t just about acting again in New York—it’s about reconnecting with why I became an actor in the first place.”
With Becoming Eve, Richard Schiff’s career comes full circle, offering both a tribute to his early beginnings and a bold step forward in his artistic journey. For theatergoers and longtime fans alike, his return is more than a performance—it’s a reminder of the enduring power of live storytelling.
