Shakespeare to ‘CSI’: Schreiber mixes it up

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Schreiber faced an unexpected but sticky challenge involving a mundane “CSI” prop.

“Try getting latex gloves on and off in under 70 seconds,” he said. “I’m supposed to look like I’ve been doing it for years. So I would go home and practice.”

Did he get any faux-investigator tips from his new “CSI” colleagues? “Well, George Eads taught me how to deal with the gloves and I’m eternally grateful to him. He said, ‘If you don’t have to take them on or off, don’t.”’

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Reality shows detailing the work of forensic detectives hold a fascination for Schreiber, who found them echoed in the “CSI” format.

“Initially I thought, ‘Oh, the emotional life of the character and the plot elements were really going to dominate.’ But I figured out very quickly that, unlike some of the feature work or stage work that I’ve done, what the audience is really looking for is the next clue, because they’re solving along with you.”

Rarely recognized in public
Schreiber, 39, born in San Francisco but a longtime New Yorker, says he’s rarely recognized by the public — despite his roughly 6-foot-3 height — and appreciates the relative anonymity. He’s certainly racked up enough credits to warrant autograph hounds, however.

His films include “A Painted Veil,” in which he plays opposite real-life girlfriend Naomi Watts; “The Omen,” “The Manchurian Candidate,” “Kate & Leopold” and a slew of indie productions. He debuted as a director with “Everything is Illuminated” in 2005, from his adaptation of Jonathan Safran Foer’s novel.

The Yale School of Drama graduate won a Tony Award in 2005 for the revival of Mamet’s “Glengarry Glen Ross.” His next project takes him back to New York for a revival of Eric Bogosian’s “Talk Radio,” which he said represents “a return to a style of aggressive work that I really loved when I was younger and would like to take a shot at.”

“I saw Eric do the original production and was blown off my feet by it. I loved him and loved the play,” said Schreiber. “It’s a powerful message at a time when I think people don’t know how to respond to media anymore.”

He’s also working on a screenplay that draws parallels between the lives of two U.S. and Iraqi youths.

Would he ever consider a full-time TV gig?

“I don’t want to make anything my full-time gig. But I’d sure do this again.”

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