In 1983, Richard took the part of Cyrano at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles. His performance began in October 1983 for an eight week run and his performance was both a critical and box-office smash. It was sold out for every performance and the critics adored Richard's performance, and his portrayal of Cyrano brought him the Los Angeles Critics' Circle Award. Richard said of the part: "I was amazed by the complexity of Cyrano's character, he's so fascinating, and I got to like him so much. Chiefly, I liked his incredible life force, and his incredible capacity to love. And that insistence on living life on his own terms, that integrity."