Present Laughter
"It's high time we were reminded again of what a great physical comedian Kevin Kline is. Playing an aging matinee idol in the bouncy new revival of Noel Coward's "Present Laughter," Mr. Kline blissfully plies the witty athleticism and derring-do that won
Ben Brantley, The New York Times
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
Dates
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
Customer reviews
Anonymous
PRESENT LAUGHTER - KEVIN KLINE AND THE CAST EXCEL
John
Wonderfully Entertaining