This first-rate actress, best known for her performances in musicals ("Cats," "Sunset Boulevard"), here takes on two highly individuated roles with charm, dexterity and the textured blend of softness and sharpness that is her particular strength.

"You're a first-rate actress and a beautiful woman."

"Primarily a singer and dancer, Mrs. Knep developed into a first-rate actress."

Gilliard wrote articles and a book entitled The False Anastasia, which claimed she was a "vulgar adventuress" and a "first-rate actress".

But except for "Me Without You," a little-seen British film that came out two years later, Ms. Williams hasn't had much of a chance to show what a first-rate dramatic actress she is.

The dramatist is again blessed with a first-rate actress.

Ms. Lyles, a first-rate actress with a long list of Off Broadway credits, shows some promise as a playwright in "The Great Pretenders."

There are a lot of first-rate actresses whom he feels would be interested in the role.

Audra McDonald, the first-rate actress playing his wife, calls his character's name - "Walter Lee, it's time for you to get up!"

On the other hand, all that domestic industry only rarely disguises our suspicion that these first-rate actresses are never quite at home in their roles.