Subsequent Broadway roles included "The Sisters Rosensweig", as a replacement Gorgeous Teitelbaum starting in September 1993 and Mrs. Van Daan in "The Diary of Anne Frank" (1997–1998), opposite Natalie Portman, for which she garnered a Tony nomination as Featured Actress in a Play. In 1995 she appeared in the Off-Broadway "Death-Defying Acts", which consists of three one-act plays; Lavin performed in the Elaine May ("Hotline") and Woody Allen plays ("Central Park West"). She was nominated for a Drama Desk Award (Outstanding Actress – Play) and won an Obie Award (Performance) and the Lucille Lortel Award. She also directed theater during this period.