Present Laughter

First Preview: Mar 02, 2017

Opening Date: Mar 10, 2017

Closing Date: Jul 03, 2017

Running Time: 02:20

http://www.laughteronbroadway.com/

Playing @

St James Theatre

246 West 44th Street New York City, NY 10036

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Present Laughter, Noel Coward’s comedy, which first premiered on Broadway in 1946 follows Garry Essendine, a self-indulgent actor (is there any other kind?!) in the midst of a mid-life crisis.

Juggling his considerable talent, ego and libido, the theater's favorite leading man suddenly finds himself caught between fawning ingénues, crazed playwrights, secret trysts and unexpected twists.

Oscar and Tony winner Kevin Kline stars as Garry

Broadway Play - Comedy

Age Guidance: 13

Show Notes: 1 Intermission

Performance Schedule:

TUESDAY & THURSDAY @ 7 PM
WEDNESDAY, FRIDAY & SATURDAY @ 8 PM
WEDNESDAY & SATURDAY @ 2 PM
SUNDAY @ 3 PM

Director

Moritz von Stuelpnagel

Written by

Noel Coward

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Reviews

That combination of artifice and rue, of elegant ham and fretful heart, is the essence of Coward, who played Garry in the original London production of “Present Laughter” in 1942 and admitted, “Garry Essendine is me.” Pulling off a great Coward performance, with its filigree contradictions, is a rare accomplishment. (Offhand, on Broadway, only Lindsay Duncan and Alan Rickman in “Private Lives,” and Rosemary Harris in “Hay Fever” come to mind.) So let us give thanks for what Mr. Kline, embodying the capricious god of his own theatrical universe, has wrought.

Whether playing it straight (“Dave”) or unwittingly gay (“In & Out”), the wry and sly Oscar- and Tony-winning Kline coaxes chuckles with ease. Deadpan delivery? Eyes and expressions that speak volumes? Funny physical bits? Check. Check. Check. Kevin Kline assumes a pose as Garry Essendine. And Kline’s nimble hands deserve their own applause from theatergoers at the St. James. He employs them like semaphore flags, punctuating moments.

I was especially impressed with the women. Cobie Smulders, a star of How I Met Your Mother making her Broadway debut as Joanna, not only looks sensational in gowns by Susan Hilferty but finds a core of valor in a typically odious character. Kate Burton — who played the ingénue Daphne opposite George C. Scott in 1982 — brings exceptional clarity and warmth to Liz, who can sometimes come off as a scold. And Kristine Nielsen is hilarious as the trusty secretary Kristine Nielsen.

Accessibility:

Box Office

Outer lobby. Counter 42".

Parking

Valet parking garage: 1st garage: South side of 44th St. between 6th & 7th Aves. Vertical clearance: 105". 2nd garage: East of Shubert Alley, on north side of 44th St. between Broadway & 8th Ave. No vans.

Curb Ramps

(3" lip) NW corner of 44th St. & Broadway; (2.5" lip) SE corner of 44th St. & Broadway; (3.5” lip) SW corner of 44th St. & Broadway.

Restroom

There is a wheelchair accessible unisex restroom located on the main level. Stall 34". Clear space 40" x 60".Commode 18".

Directions Subway

1, 2, 3, 7, S, N, R, W, Q, A, C, E to 42nd St / Times Square. Theatre is two blocks north.

Seating

Wheelchair-accessible seating on the Orchestra level of the theatre for all performances for patrons who use wheelchairs and their companions. There are no steps leading into the Orchestra level of the theatre from the sidewalk. There are steps to access seating on other levels of the theatre.

Elevator\Escalator

There are no elevators or escalators at this theatre.

Telephone

None on premises

Entrance

Double doors in series: 1st set (each 27.5", heavy) to outer lobby; 2nd set (each 28", heavy) to inner lobby; 3rd set (each 29.5", heavy) to orchestra.

Visual Assistance

Low vision seats available for purchase in person, online or over the phone

Water Fountain

None available.

Assisted Listening System

Reservations are not necessary. Drivers license or ID with printed address required as a deposit. Please call: (212) 582-7678 to reserve in advance.

Wheelchair Info

Wheelchair seating available. Theatre is not completely wheelchair accessible. There are no steps to designated wheelchair seating locations. Wheelchair seating is in the orchestra only.

Directions Bus

Take the M7, M20, M42 or M104 bus.

Folding Armrests

Seats with folding armrests plus a companion seat available for purchase in person, online, or over the phone.

Translation

Subtitled language translations available in Spanish, Portuguese,Japanese, Korean & Chinese for $5 on the GalaPro app. For more information, go to https://www.galapro.com/

Appropriate

Eureka Day

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

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