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Present Laughter

Why see Present Laughter?

Starring 2017 Tony Winner Kevin Kline

Noel Coward's sparkling farce Present Laughter is revived on Broadway for the fifth time, with Oscar, Tony and Drama Desk Award winner Kevin Kline (On The Twentieth Century, The Pirates of Penzance) in the lead role. Described as 'semi-autobiographical' by its author, this zippy comedy centers on actor Gary Essendine, who is trying his best to cope with a mounting number of distractions on the eve of his tour to Africa. Last seen on Broadway in 2010, this latest production of Present Laughter is directed by Moritz von Stuelpnagel (Hand to God).

Present Laughter marks a long-awaited return to the Great White Way for Kevin Kline, best known for his roles in the movies The Big Chill and A Fish Called Wanda. While his career began on the stage, he hasn't appeared on Broadway since 2007's Cyrano de Bergerac. Also in the cast are How I Met Your Mother's Colbie Smulders, and Tony nominees Kate Burton, Reg Rogers and Kristine Nielsen.

What is Present Laughter About?

An actor of the highest calibre (in his own eyes at least), Gary Essendine always exudes a stately command of the stage. Unfortunately, he has slightly less control over his personal life, which, on the eve of a repertory tour of Africa, is becoming very complicated. There's a cavalcade of young women trying to lure him into bed, a playwright named Roland has become a little overly attached, and various members of his staff have been having affairs with each other's wives.

It's enough to bring on a mid-life crisis, but Gary simply must get through it... by any means necessary!

Key Information

Run Time

2 hours and 30 minutes, including one intermission

Dates

Finished Jul 2, 2017

Cast

Kevin Kline as Gary Essedine
Colbie Smulders as Joanna Lyppiatt
Kate Burton as Liz Essendine
Kristine Nielsen as Monica Reed
Reg Rogers as Morris Dixon
Bhavesh Patel as Roland Maule
Tedra Millan as Daphne Stillington
Peter Francis James as Henry Lyppiatt
Matt Bittner as Fred
Ellen Harvey as Miss Erikson
Sandra Shipley as Lady Saltburn

Ensemble: Kelley Curran, Rachel Pickup, James Riordan, David L. Townsend

Creative

Written by Noel Coward
Directed by Moritz Von Stuelpnagel

Awards

2017 TONY AWARD Wins

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play - Kevin Kline

2017 tony award nominations

Best Revival of a Play
Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play - Kevin Kline
Best Costume Design of a Play

2017 DRAMA DESK WINS

Outstanding Actor in a Play - Kevin Kline

2017 DRAMA DESK NOMINATIONS

Outstanding Actor in a Play - Kevin Kline
Outstanding Costume Design for a Play

Reviews

Our review

Fun, brilliant, humorous

The 2017 revival of Present Laughter marks the sixth return for Coward's treasured play. The flawed characters are brilliantly crafted in this backstage farce set in 1939 high society London, in the studio of a fading star.

Nicola Quinn

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Customer reviews

1 reviews, average rating: (5.0 Stars)

Anonymous

PRESENT LAUGHTER - KEVIN KLINE AND THE CAST EXCEL

Wonderful Noel Coward play with excellent performances by all involved. And of course, Kevin Kline is exceptional. The set is clever. No skimping there. Lots and lots of humor throughout. As for Garry Essendine's (Kevin Kline) inability on numerous occasions to reach the hallway entrance without pausing at the mirror to satisfy himself that his appearance is up to par..... Well it's brilliant. And the frequency with which numerous attractive women seemed unable not to lose their latch keys well ......................... (sorry enough said until you see the play). As one of Coward's lines in Present Laughter goes in referring to a play that is part of the plot: "It might actually work in New York", Thanks to Kevin Kline and company, Present Laughter certainly does. ... Read more

John

Wonderfully Entertaining

We had the opportunity to see the play on the 9th. Its a witty farce with some wonderful performances. Victor Garbers performance as Gary is worth the price of admission alone and when you add the other talented performers in the cast you have a wonderful chemistry. You need to listen closely since the snappy dialogue sends witty barbs of sarcasm,and innuendo flying like bullets and if you snooze you lose. Its a period piece that may be a lttle too sophisticated for a young audience. Bravo I am happy that we saw it and suggest that you catch it on its short run ... Read more
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