Present Laughter
June 1, 2013 - June 23, 2013
By Noël Coward
Directed by David Lee
Rechnitz Theater
Single ticket prices start at $20. Click here to buy your tickets!
In 1930s London, Garry Essendine, a debonair matinee idol, is one of the world’s most famous actors. Garry sees his life as an eternal performance—one in which the spotlight never goes out. But can the man who can’t say “no” juggle an ambitious debutante, an aspiring playwright, a secret affair, his tart-tongued secretary, and his ex-wife, all in one morning?
Noël Coward’s Present Laughter (which he originally wrote as a showcase for his own great talent) is a sparkling blend of bravura acting, elegant designs, witty dialogue, and outrageous comedy.
Tony Award nominees Michael Cumpsty (End of the Rainbow) and Veanne Cox (Company) lead the cast, which also features Leighton Bryan, Mark Capri, Cole Escola, Richard Hollis, Kaitlin Hopkins, Robin Moseley, James Riordan, Camille Saviola, and Hayley Treider.
Director David Lee, the winner of nine Emmy Awards, was a co-creator of Frasier and a writer/producer for Cheers. He wrote a new book for the classic Cole Porter musical Can-Can, which he first staged at the Pasadena Playhouse (winning an Ovation Award for Best Director) and is scheduled to direct on Broadway in 2014.
Calendar
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Opening Night
Post-show Discussion
Student Matinee
Audio Described
Open CaptionArtists
Leighton Bryan
Joanna Lyppiatt
Mark Capri
Hugo Lyppiatt
Veanne Cox
Monica Reed
Michael Cumpsty
Garry Essendine
Cole Escola
Roland Maule
Richard Hollis
Fred
Kaitlin Hopkins
Liz Essendine
Robin Moseley
Lady Saltburn
James Riordan
Morris Dixon
Camille Saviola
Miss Erikson
Haley Treider
Daphne Stillington
Noel Coward
Playwright
David Lee
Director
David Lee has directed productions of Light Up the Sky, Do I Hear A Waltz?, 110 in the Shade, Diva, Can-Can, Camelot and Art (Pasadena Playhouse), the world premiere of How I Fell In Love (Williamstown Theatre Festival), On the 20th Century, Assassins, Company, A New Brain, Applause, Working, Forum, Zorba (Ovation nominee - Best Director), Elegies, Two By Two and Gigi (Reprise). In 2007 he directed the acclaimed production of South Pacific at the Hollywood Bowl with Reba McEntire and Brian Stokes Mitchell. His writing for the theater includes a concert adaptation of Can-Can (Encores! with Patti LuPone), and an entirely new book for Can-Can which he directed at the Pasadena Playhouse (Ovation Award - Best Director). David is also a 9-time Emmy Award winning director, writer, and producer for television. He is the co-creator of Wings and Frasier, for which he also wrote, produced, and directed. He served as writer/producer for Cheers and directed multiple episodes of Everybody Loves Raymond. In addition to 19 Emmy nominations, he is the recipient of the Directors Guild Award, Golden Globe, Producers Guild Award, GLAAD Media Award, British Comedy Award, Television Critics Association Award (three times), the Humanitas Prize (twice), and the Peabody.
Tony Straiges
Scenic Design
Tilly Grimes
Costume Design
Rui Rita
Lighting Design
Leon Rothenberg
Sound Design
John O’Neill
Musical Director
Ben Furey
Dialect Coach
Amanda Michaels
Stage Manager