Present Laughter Revival
Closing: July 02, 2017Present Laughter - 2017 Broadway History , Info & More
St. James Theatre (Broadway)
246 West 44th St. New York, NY
Noel Coward's totally-irresistible comedy, Present Laughter, follows a self-obsessed actor (is there any other kind?) in the midst of a mid-life crisis. Freely indulging his considerable appetite for wine, women and sleeping late (not necessarily in that order), the theatre's favorite leading man suddenly finds himself caught between fawning ingenues, crazed playwrights, secret trysts and unexpected twists.
Present Laughter first premiered on Broadway at the Plymouth Theatre in 1946, following an immensely successful wartime tour starring Coward himself. One of his most produced and beloved works, Present Laughter has come to define Coward's singular comedic voice for generations of theatergoers. In addition to Coward, some of the world's most accomplished stage actors, including the likes of Albert Finney, Peter O'Toole, and Ian McKellen, have played the lead role.
Present Laughter - 2017 - Broadway Cast
PREVIEW Present Laughter - 2017 - Broadway
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FEATURED REVIEWS FOR Present Laughter
Kevin Kline preens to perfection in ‘Present Laughter’ — theater review
9 / 10
Kline's nimble hands deserve their own applause from theatergoers at the St. James. He employs them like semaphore flags, punctuating moments. Like when he turns one of his mitts into a muzzle to quiet a gabby young conquest (Tedra Millan). At times you'd like to hush the talky play, which Coward wrote in 1939. It wasn't performed until 1942, due to the onset of World War II. Set over a couple days in Garry's London home, the action tends to go in circles as he prepares to go on tour in Africa. He ends up juggling seductions and interruptions and moaning about craving solitude. As if. He lives for an audience.
Theater Review: 'Present Laughter'
9 / 10
Director Moritz von Stuelpnagel does exceptional work with his ensemble, maximizing the manic comedy while allowing his leads to rise above type. There is humanity among these crazy characters and far more depth than you'd expect. And that's of course also attributed in large part to the performances. Cobie Smulders, making her stage debut, tackles the vixen role with alluring abandon. And Broadway veterans Kate Burton and Kristine Nielsen juicily sink their teeth into Coward's biting wit.
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Present Laughter History
Other Productions of Present Laughter
| 1946 | Broadway |
Broadway |
| 1958 | Broadway |
Broadway |
| 1982 | Broadway |
Broadway |
| 1996 | Broadway |
Broadway |
| 2010 | Broadway |
Roundabout Revival Broadway |
| 2017 | Broadway |
Broadway Revival Production Broadway |
| 2019 | West End |
Old Vic Revival Production West End |
Present Laughter - 2017 Broadway Awards and Nominations
| Year | Ceremony | Category | Nominee |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | BroadwayWorld Awards | Best Leading Actor in a Play | Kevin Kline |
| 2017 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Actor in a Play | Kevin Kline |
| 2017 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Costume Design for a Play | Susan Hilferty |
| 2017 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Wig and Hair | Josh Marquette |
| 2017 | Drama League Awards | Distinguished Performance Award | Kate Burton |
| 2017 | Drama League Awards | Distinguished Performance Award | Kevin Kline |
| 2017 | Drama League Awards | Outstanding Revival of a Broadway or Off-Broadway Play | Present Laughter |
| 2017 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Actor in a Play | Kevin Kline |
| 2017 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Costume Design (Play or Musical) | Susan Hilferty |
| 2017 | Theatre World Awards | Outstanding Broadway or Off-Broadway Debut Performance | Cobie Smulders |
| 2017 | Tony Awards | Best Costume Design of a Play | Susan Hilferty |
| 2017 | Tony Awards | Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play | Kevin Kline |
| 2017 | Tony Awards | Best Revival of a Play | Present Laughter |
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