Some young actors view the stage merely as a stepping stone to movie stardom. For Eric Stoltz, success in films such as Grace of My Heart, Rob Roy and Little Women hasn't diminished a lifelong loyalty to the theatre.

"I don't know if 'loyal' is the correct word," says Stoltz, who spent the fall playing Algernon in the Irish Rep production of The Importance of Being Earnest and now co-stars as Baron Tuzenbach in the Roundabout's production of Three Sisters. "'Loyal' has very noble, altruistic implications, but in fact, doing theatre is an earthy, raunchy high. 'Compelled' may be the most accurate word."

The joy of tackling ensemble plays, Stoltz notes, is that "when it works, it's absolutely magical. You feel like you're in the New York Philharmonic and everyone is in perfect sync." Of Three Sisters, he adds, "If you're going to do a play that deals with spiritual, economic and emotional bankruptcy, what better time or place to do it than Times Square as the millennium approaches?"

Though Stoltz will return to movie making in the spring, he has a few dream theatre roles in mind. "I'd love to do Hamlet, Romeo the big, terrifying Shakespeare roles all appeal to me." He laughs wickedly when complimented on his less-than-ruthless approach to film stardom. "Much to the consternation of my agents, I have no vast career plan. But it could happen at any second. I could turn on a dime."