But her theatrical instincts more than filled the gap.

Church, a zesty artist with a good hand, some business savvy, theatrical instincts and a naturalist's eye for observation, answered the call.

Ms. Benko is particularly enjoyable as a woman whose thwarted theatrical instincts have turned her into a walking mass of dramatic affectations.

Composers can let virtuosity and display subvert their better theatrical instincts.

So his personal and theatrical instincts make this extended excursion perfectly logical.

There was the true theatrical instinct.

But Ms. Silverthorne's theatrical instincts and her hand's-on engagement with unorthodox materials come to the rescue.

This surreal humor forms part of Shaw's theatrical instinct, which is the second feature of his posthumous modernity.

With inspired theatrical instincts, Bach gave the chorus in each passion multiple roles to play.

"She doesn't have the theatrical instinct that he has," said Mr. Cuomo, who is himself considered one of the more gifted speakers of his generation.