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Present Laughter Revival 2017

Opened: April 5, 2017
Closing: July 02, 2017

Present 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.


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PREVIEW Present Laughter - 2017 - Broadway

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FEATURED REVIEWS FOR Present Laughter

Kevin Kline Does His Best Noel Coward: Review of ‘Present Laughter’
7 / 10

Something in the writing of Present Laughter never raises the stakes to the level of gasping hilarity that true farce can elicit. The urbanity, wit, self-possession, and control of Garry, Monica, and Liz mean that we never think the demons they have to ward off will do as much as even graze their knees. There's no real driving plot in Present Laughter, just a battery of Coward's mots at their most bon. And like the best houseguest, just before it outstays its welcome, it takes its leave.

'Present Laughter': Theater Review
9 / 10

Talk about a match made in heaven. Kevin Kline was born to do Noel Coward, and his casting as Garry Essendine, the 1930s stage star and aging playboy at the center of his own eternal melodrama in Present Laughter, yields a performance of unimpeachable skill, made all the more delectable by its lightness of touch. Matching witty verbal jousts with florid gesticulation, and head-to-toe body language that constitutes its own uniquely refined brand of physical comedy, Kline etches a character pulled between conceited selfishness and encroaching melancholy, a coddled man-child helpless without a captive audience.

BWW Flashback: The Last Laughs- PRESENT LAUGHTER Takes Its Final Broadway Bow Today
by Stephi Wild - July 2, 2017


Present Laughter closes tonight, July 2. Take a look at the show's journey on Broadway before we say farewell.

Photo Coverage: PRESENT LAUGHTER's Kate Burton Joins the Fabled Walls of Sardi's!
by Walter McBride - June 29, 2017


Just yesterday, Present Laughter's Kate Burton joined the fabled walls of Sardi's... or at least her new portrait did. BroadwayWorld was on hand as Burton and the cast of Present Laughter celebrated the big day!

BroadwayHD Will Record Broadway's PRESENT LAUGHTER, Starring Kevin Kline, Tonight
by BWW News Desk - June 23, 2017


Can't travel to New York? No problem! BroadwayHD has just announced it will record tonight's performance of PRESENT LAUGHTER, starring Academy Award and two-time Tony Award winner Kevin Kline in his triumphant return to Broadway, for on-demand viewing on BroadwayHD.com later this year.

VIDEO: Kevin Kline Shares PRESENT LAUGHTER Curtain Mishap on LATE NIGHT
by Caryn Robbins - June 6, 2017


On last night's LATE NIGHT, Kevin Kline talked to Seth about his Tony-nominated role in the Broadway revival  of Noel Coward's PRESENT LAUGHTER and shared a curtain mishap which occurred during a very intimate moment of the play.

BWW Interview: How Moritz von Stuelpnagel Found the Laughs in PRESENT LAUGHTER
by Nicole Rosky - May 31, 2017


Director Moritz von Stuelpnagel knows how to make 'em laugh. After almost three months of performances at the St. James Theatre, the cackles continue eight times a week for Noel Coward's Present Laughter. He has something to do with that. 

PRESENT LAUGHTER's Kevin Kline Wins 2017 Tony Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play
by BWW News Desk - June 11, 2017


Kevin Kline has won the 2017 Tony Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play for PRESENT LAUGHTER.

VIDEO: Cobie Smulders Talks 'High Brow' British Accent in Broadway's PRESENT LAUGHTER
by Caryn Robbins - April 24, 2017


Cobie Smulders stopped by this morning's LIVE WITH KELLY to talk about making her Broadway debut and speaking a fake British accent in Noel Coward's PRESENT LAUGHTER.

TV: The Comedy Continues Inside Opening Night of PRESENT LAUGHTER!
by TV - Opening Night Special - April 8, 2017


After the curtain came down Wednesday night at the St. James Theatre, the laughter subsided and the company of Present Laughter celebrated a triumphant opening night at Gotham Hall. BroadwayWorld was there at the opening night after party and we're taking you behind the scenes below!

Photo Coverage: On the Opening Night Red Carpet for PRESENT LAUGHTER!
by Walter McBride - April 6, 2017


Present Laughter, starring Academy Award® and two-time Tony Award® winner Kevin Kline in his triumphant return to Broadway, plays at the St. James Theatre (246 West 44th Street). Directed by Tony Award® nominee Moritz von Stuelpnagel, Present Laughter will play through Sunday, July 2nd. BroadwayWorld was there at opening night and we're taking you to the star-studded red carpet below!

Photo Coverage: PRESENT LAUGHTER Company Keeps the Laughs Coming at Opening Night After Party!
by Walter McBride - April 6, 2017


After the curtain came down last night at the St. James Theatre, the laughter subsided and the company of Present Laughter celebrated a triumphant opening night at Gotham Hall. BroadwayWorld was there at the opening night after party and brings you photos below!

Photo Coverage: Kevin Kline and the Cast of PRESENT LAUGHTER Take Opening Night Bows!
by Walter McBride - April 6, 2017


Present Laughter, starring Academy Award® and two-time Tony Award® winner Kevin Kline in his triumphant return to Broadway, plays at the St. James Theatre (246 West 44th Street). Directed by Tony Award® nominee Moritz von Stuelpnagel, Present Laughter will play through Sunday, July 2nd. BroadwayWorld was there at opening night and brings you photos of the cast taking their opening night bows below!

Taran Killam Shares Heartfelt Message to Wife Cobie Smulders on Her Broadway Debut
by Caryn Robbins - April 6, 2017


SNL alum Taran Killam turned to Instagram yesterday to share a sentimental message to his wife, Cobie Smulders, on the eve of her Broadway debut. Smulders stars as Joanna Lyppiatt in the Noel Coward comedy PRESENT LAUGHTER, opposite Kevin Klein.

BWW Review: Kevin Kline Leads A Terrific Cast In Noel Coward's Classic Comedy PRESENT LAUGHTER
by Michael Dale - April 6, 2017


Noel Coward was 39 years old when he played the lead role of Garry Essendine, a famous actor fearing for the future of his career as he enters middle age, in the premiere production of his rollickingly good comedy, PRESENT LAUGHTER. In order for that scenario to be believable today, you'd have to cast a woman in the role.

Review Roundup: Kevin Kline Returns to Broadway in PRESENT LAUGHTER Tonight!- Updating Live
by A.A. Cristi - April 5, 2017


Present Laughter, starring Academy Award and two-time Tony Award winner Kevin Kline in his triumphant return to Broadway, opens tonight at the St. James Theatre (246 West 44th Street). Directed by Tony Award nominee Moritz von Stuelpnagel.

Get Ready to Guffaw! Meet the Full Company of PRESENT LAUGHTER, Opening Tonight on Broadway
by Meet the Cast - April 5, 2017


Present Laughter, starring Academy Award- and two-time Tony Award-winner Kevin Kline in his triumphant return to Broadway, opens tonight, April 5th, at the St. James Theatre (246 West 44th Street). Directed by Tony Award nominee Moritz von Stuelpnagel, Present Laughter will play through Sunday, July 2nd. Scroll down to learn more about the company and watch interviews with the cast!

Photo Flash: First Look at Kevin Kline & Company in PRESENT LAUGHTER on Broadway!
by Nicole Rosky - April 3, 2017


Present Laughter, starring Academy Award® and two-time Tony Award® winner Kevin Kline in his triumphant return to Broadway, plays at the St. James Theatre (246 West 44th Street). Directed by Tony Award® nominee Moritz von Stuelpnagel, performances begin Friday, March 10, 2017, ahead of a Wednesday, April 5th Opening Night. Present Laughter will play through Sunday, July 2nd.

PRESENT LAUGHTER, Starring Kevin Kline, Begins on Broadway Tonight
by BWW News Desk - March 10, 2017


A friendly reminder! Present Laughter begins tonight, March 10th, 2017, at Broadway's St. James Theatre (246 West 44th Street), ahead of a Wednesday, April 5th Opening Night, for a strictly limited 16-week engagement. 

PRESENT LAUGHTER Starring Kevin Kline Announces Digital Lottery
by Julie Musbach - March 8, 2017


Producer Jordan Roth announced today details for the digital lottery for the highly-anticipated revival of Noel Coward's Present Laughter which begins performances on Broadway this coming Friday, March 10 for a limited 16-week run. A limited quantity of $42 lottery tickets to each performance will be available through online entry at http://laughteronbroadway.com/lottery. Lottery winners will be notified by text message and email by noon the day prior to the performance. Purchase must be completed online by credit card only, with one entry per person (no age restrictions) and up to 2 tickets per winner. There is no day-of rush ticket availability during previews.

VIDEO: Kevin Kline Teaches Stephen Colbert How to Take a Proper Broadway Bow
by Caryn Robbins - March 8, 2017


On last night's LATE SHOW, acclaimed stage actor Kevin Kline talked about starring in Noel Coward's PRESENT LAUGHTER on Broadway and taught Stephen how to take a proper Broadway bow.

TV: PRESENT LAUGHTER's Kevin Kline & Company Get Ready to Bring Noel Coward Back to Broadway
by Nicole Rosky - February 25, 2017


Present Laughter will play Broadway's St. James Theatre (246 West 44th Street) this spring for a strictly limited 16-week engagement. Directed by Tony Award nominee Moritz von Stuelpnagel, performances are set to begin Friday, March 10, 2017, ahead of a Wednesday, April 5th Opening Night, and will play through Sunday, July 2nd.

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

Note: Award winners will appear on a background
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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