Steve Cruz

PRESENT LAUGHTER is a 1939 comedy by Noel Coward. The play's title comes from a song in Shakespeare's Twelfth Night, 'present mirth hath present laughter', that urges the sense of carpe diem. Coward repeats one of his signature theatrical devices at the end of the play, where the main characters tiptoe out as the curtain falls - a device that he also used in Private Lives, Hay Fever and Blithe Spirit. The plot follows the life of self-obsessed actor Garry Essendine (Marc Pouhe) as he prepares for a theatrical tour in Africa. Amid a series of events that border on farce, Garry has to deal with women who want to be with him, placate both his secretary and his estranged wife, cope with a more than slightly crazed young playwright, and overcome an impending mid-life crisis. The story has been described by Coward as 'a series of semi-autobiographical pyrotechnics'.

Austin Shakespeare brings Noel Coward's classic comedy Present Laughter to the Rollins Studio Theatre at The Long Center for the Performing Arts from November 16, 2016 - December 4, 2016. Chaos, romance and dazzling dialogue are shaken up to concoct this perfect cocktail for the holiday season! Marc Pouhe stars as the 1930's matinee idol, Garry Essendine, who is self-obsessed, slipping into middle age, and still surrounded by admiring women. Artistic Director Ann Ciccolella says, "Marc was so funny offstage at Macbeth this summer that I envisioned him in a full-out comedy."

Austin Shakespeare is kicking off the 2016-2017 season with a staged reading of Hilary Mantel's Wolf Hall (Part I only), running September 22 - 25, 2016 at the Rollins Studio Theatre at the Long Center for the Performing Arts. Mantel's best-selling novel, which was adapted for stage by Michael Poulton, is a thrilling reimagining of life under Henry VIII with an unlikely hero at the center, Thomas Cromwell, the son of a blacksmith who rose to become one of the most powerful men in England. After a sold-out Broadway run and rave reviews, Austin Shakespeare is thrilled to produce the Southwest premiere of Wolf Hall with a fully costumed staged reading directed by Artistic Director Ann Ciccolella.

I must confess that I came to Austin Shakespeare's current production of PRIDE AND PREJUDICE with no prejudices of my own. I've never read the original Jane Austen novel, and I've never seen any of the film versions with the exception of Bridget Jones's Diary, which is very loosely based on the Austen classic. However, prior knowledge of Austen and her work is not needed whatsoever to enjoy this pristine production. Whether you are an Austen fan or are a newcomer like myself, there is much to love about this spectacular show.

Kicking off subscriptions for its 29th Season, Austin Shakespeare announces Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice at the Long Center's intimate Rollins Theater tonight, Nov. 7-25. The professional (Actors' Equity) company brings back award-winning actress Liz Beckham now as the smart, delightful "Elizabeth Bennet." Beckham recently won the Austin Critics Table award Best Actor for the company's production of Tom Stoppard's Arcadia last spring.

Kicking off subscriptions for its 29th Season, Austin Shakespeare announces Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice at the Long Center's intimate Rollins Theater Nov. 7-25. The professional (Actors' Equity) company brings back award-winning actress Liz Beckham now as the smart, delightful "Elizabeth Bennet." Beckham recently won the Austin Critics Table award Best Actor for the company's production of Tom Stoppard's Arcadia last spring.