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!