VIDEO: Ethan Hawke Talks Playing Dead in MACBETH on 'Today'

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Ethan Hawke took on 'Elf' duties on this morning's TODAY on NBC as part of the show's annual toy drive. The actor, currently starring on Broadway in MACBETH, joked of the title role, "Well, it's definitely more intimidating than playing an Elf, that's for sure."

He went on to explain that the role has it's share of challenges, including pretending to be dead following a physically demanding sword fight. "After you're huffing and puffing you have to pretend like you're not breathing in front of a thousand people," he quipped.

Check out the appearance below!

About Macbeth:

Lincoln Center Theater, under the direction of Producing Artistic Director André Bishop, presentsBianca Amato, Shirine Babb, John Patrick Doherty, Austin Durant, Richard Easton,Francesca Faridany, Stephanie Fieger, Malcolm Gets, John Glover, Ben Horner, Ruy Iskandar, Brian d'Arcy James, Byron Jennings, Aaron Krohn, Jeremiah Maestas, Christopher McHale, Jonny Orsini,Sam Poon, Triney Sandoval, Nathan Stark, Daniel Sunjata, Patrick Vaill, Tyler Lansing Weaks, Derek Wilson, Ethan Hawke and Anne-Marie Duff in Shakespeare's Macbeth, directed by Jack O'Brien.

The production, which features a cast of 27, is currently in previews and will open on Thursday, November 21 at the Vivian Beaumont Theater (150 West 65 Street). BroadwayWorld brings you highlights of the cast in action below!

In this new production of what is widely considered to be one of Shakespeare's darkest and most powerful tragedies, Ethan Hawke plays Macbeth opposite Anne-Marie Duff as Lady Macbeth, Bianca Amato as Lady Macduff, Richard Easton as Duncan, Brian d'Arcy James as Banquo, Jonny Orsini as Malcolm, Daniel Sunjata as Macduff, Malcolm Gets, John Glover and Byron Jennings as the Three Witches, together with Shirine Babb, John Patrick Doherty, Austin Durant, Francesca Faridany,Stephanie Fieger, Ben Horner, Ruy Iskandar, Aaron Krohn, Jeremiah Maestas, Christopher McHale,Sam Poon, Triney Sandoval, Nathan Stark, Patrick Vaill, Tyler Lansing Weaks and Derek Wilson in other roles.