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.
Matt Bittner, who graced the Broadway stage in "Present Laughter," has an impressive theater resume including roles in "School of Rock" and "Much Ado" at The Public's Shakespeare In The Park.
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Kate Burton, who starred in the 1982 production of "Present Laughter" directed by George C. Scott, has an impressive Broadway resume including roles in "Alice in Wonderland," "Doonesbury," and "Spring Awakening," as well as Tony-nominated performances in "Hedda Gabler" and "The Elephant Man."
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Ellen Harvey, known for her Broadway performances in How To Succeed in Business..., Phantom Of The Opera, and The Music Man, brought her extensive stage experience to the cast of Present Laughter, adding depth to the production with her rich theatrical background.
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Peter Francis James, who graced the stage in the Broadway production of Present Laughter alongside Kevin Kline, has an illustrious career that spans both stage and screen, including notable performances in The Merchant of Venice with Al Pacino and On Golden Pond with James Earl Jones.
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Kevin Kline, a distinguished actor in both theatre and film, delivered a memorable performance as Garry Essendine in the 2017 Broadway revival of *Present Laughter*, adding to his extensive list of accolades including an Academy Award and two Tony Awards.
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Tedra Millan, who last starred on Broadway in Present Laughter alongside Kevin Kline, has also received Drama Desk and Obie Awards for her performance in The Wolves and has an impressive array of theatre and screen credits.
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Kristine Nielsen, who earned acclaim for her performance in *Present Laughter*, boasts an impressive Broadway resume including a Tony Award nomination for *Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike* and notable roles in *You Can't Take It With You* and *Spring Awakening*.
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Bhavesh Patel, who has an impressive stage and screen resume including performances at Lincoln Center in War Horse and Roundabout's Indian Ink, brought his extensive experience to the cast of Present Laughter.
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(Understudy)Rachel Pickup, a RADA-trained actress, brought her extensive stage experience to the cast of *Present Laughter*, having previously earned accolades such as a Best Actress award for *Time And The Conways* and a Cannes-winning performance in *Chronic*.
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(Understudy)James Riordan, known for his acclaimed performances on Broadway in productions such as Jerusalem and The Elephant Man, brought his extensive stage experience to the cast of Present Laughter, enriching the show with his versatile acting skills.
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Reg Rogers, who previously showcased his talent in "Present Laughter," has an impressive theatre resume including "Tootsie" and "The Royal Family" (both earning him Outer Critics Circle Nominations), and has recently been recognized with a Lucille Lortel Nomination for his role in "Merrily We Roll Along" at NYTW.
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Sandra Shipley, known for her extensive work on Broadway including roles in "Blithe Spirit" and "Equus," brought her rich theatrical experience to the cast of "Present Laughter."
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Cobie Smulders made her Broadway debut in the past with Present Laughter, bringing her extensive experience from Off-Broadway, film, and television to the stage.
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(Understudy)David L. Townsend, making his Broadway debut in "Present Laughter," previously showcased his talent Off-Broadway in productions such as "The Library" at the Public Theatre and "Twelfth Night" with the Pearl Theatre Company.
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Awards and Nominations
2017 BroadwayWorld Awards
Best Leading Actor in a Play: Kevin Kline won.
2017 Drama Desk Awards
Outstanding Actor in a Play: Kevin Kline won.
2017 Outer Critics Circle Awards
Outstanding Actor in a Play: Kevin Kline won.
2017 Tony Awards
Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play: Kevin Kline won.