Richard Schiff, beloved for his role as Dr. Aaron Glassman on ABC’s The Good Doctor, is stepping away from television screens and back onto the stage. The Emmy-winning actor will star in Becoming Eve, an Off-Broadway play based on the acclaimed memoir by Abby Chava Stein, which is set to run at New York’s Abrons Arts Center from March 19 to April 27, 2025.
The production tells the remarkable story of Stein, who was raised in a Hasidic community in Brooklyn as the grandchild of a revered rabbi. After grappling with questions of faith, gender identity, and belonging, Stein courageously came out as transgender — a decision that set her on a journey of self-discovery and estrangement from her community. The stage adaptation aims to bring this powerful narrative of resilience and transformation to life.
In Becoming Eve, Schiff will play Tati, a central figure in Stein’s life story. Known for his ability to embody characters with emotional depth and quiet intensity, Schiff’s involvement elevates the project and underscores its significance. For audiences familiar with his paternal and guiding presence as Dr. Glassman on The Good Doctor, his casting offers a fascinating extension of his talent into the realm of deeply personal theater.
The play arrives at a time when conversations around identity, tradition, and acceptance are more urgent than ever. By staging Stein’s story, Becoming Eve aims to shed light on the challenges faced by those who must choose between the communities that raised them and the authenticity of living as their true selves. Schiff’s participation adds both star power and credibility, signaling that the production is more than just a memoir brought to stage — it is a call to empathy and understanding.
Schiff’s decision to return to theater is also a full-circle moment in his career. While many fans know him primarily from television hits like The West Wing and The Good Doctor, Schiff has long held a deep connection to stage work. Theater has provided him with opportunities to explore characters in their rawest form, unmediated by the camera. His return highlights his versatility as a performer who thrives in both intimate and expansive storytelling formats.
For fans of The Good Doctor, Schiff’s move comes on the heels of his exit from the medical drama following its final season. His portrayal of Dr. Glassman — mentor, confidant, and father figure to Shaun Murphy — earned him praise for bringing warmth and gravitas to the ensemble. Becoming Eve offers him the chance to continue exploring themes of guidance, generational conflict, and acceptance, albeit in a very different context.
The limited run at Abrons Arts Center is already generating buzz in New York theater circles. With Schiff attached, anticipation is high that the production will strike a chord not only with theatergoers but also with broader audiences eager to see Stein’s story reach new platforms.
As Schiff transitions from television back to the stage, Becoming Eve stands as both a professional milestone and a poignant cultural event. For audiences, it’s a rare chance to witness one of television’s most respected actors bring his talent to a story that embodies courage, identity, and the power of transformation.
