Howard loved to play Shakespeare, but according to producer John Houseman he could be lazy about learning lines. He first sprang to fame playing in "Romeo and Juliet" (1936) in the role of the leading man. During the same period he had the misfortune to open on Broadway in "Hamlet" (1936) just a few weeks after John Gielgud launched a rival production of the same play that was far more successful with both critics and audiences. Howard's production, his final stage role, lasted for only 39 performances before closing.