In the current Broadway revival of No毛l Coward鈥檚 Present Laughter, Kevin Kline stars as Garry Essendine, a self-obsessed actor in the midst of a mid-life crisis鈥攁 part Coward played himself in a 1958 limited engagement at the Belasco Theatre. In the playwright鈥檚 signature style, the leading man finds himself caught between fawning ing茅nues, crazed playwrights, and unexpected twists.
Directed by Moritz von Stuelpnagel, the production began previews March 10 at 叠谤辞补诲飞补测鈥檚 St. James Theatre, marking the 63rd time that a Coward play or musical has been seen on Broadway since the celebrated playwright made his debut with The Vortex in 1925. Ahead of Present Laughter鈥檚 official opening on April 5, 半岛体育 caught up with the principal cast to ask them: What was your first encounter with Coward?
Kate Burton
Three-time Tony nominee Burton made her Broadway debut as Daphne in the 1982 production of Present Laughter, starring and directed by George C. Scott. The actor returns to the play鈥攖he only complete Coward piece she鈥檚 ever performed in鈥�35 years later in the role of Liz Essendine.
鈥淚鈥檇 graduated from drama school the day before, so it was a pretty sweet way to begin [my professional career]鈥� recalls Burton. 鈥淚鈥檇 only auditioned for the role two weeks before so I knew how blessed I was to have this incredible job.鈥�
鈥淚 met some of my best friends on that show: Dana Ivey, Nathan Lane, Jim Piddock, and I met my future husband鈥攖he production stage manager Michael Ritchie. It鈥檚 always been a play that was very close to my heart. 鈥� It was also the first time that my father, Richard Burton, saw me onstage. I had been shy about him coming to drama school.鈥�
鈥淸Back then] I thought Present Laughter was sweet, fun, and frolicsome,鈥� says the actor. 鈥淏ut now I realize what a brilliantly written play it is with such complex characters.鈥�
Tedra Millan
The Wolves star makes her Broadway debut as young ing茅nue Daphne in Present Laughter, but it鈥檚 not her first time performing Coward鈥檚 work鈥攏or this play.
鈥淢y first professional play was Present Laughter at Hubbard Hall,鈥� says the actor. 鈥�When I was a junior at the University of Michigan, my professor brought me upstate to do the play in this same part alongside another actor named Kevin [McGuire]. I was still in college and it was the first time I was getting paid to do theatre, so it鈥檚 a very special play to me.
鈥淚t feels too perfect to be playing this part鈥攖he first part I ever played,鈥� she continues. 鈥淚t feels very natural.鈥�
Kevin Kline
Two-time Tony winner and Oscar winner Kevin Kline first fell in love with Coward after seeing the 1969 Broadway production of Private Lives with Tammy Grimes and Brian Bedford. 鈥淚t was brilliant, delicious, and delightful,鈥� he says.
Kline returns to the Broadway stage for the first time in ten years to star in Present Laughter, but has had his sights on a revival, and the role of Garry Essendine, for some time.
鈥淚 wanted to play that part鈥攊t鈥檚 so much fun and it鈥檚 so funny,鈥� says Kline. According to the show鈥檚 producer, Jordan Roth once he heard that Kline was interested in doing the play, he didn鈥檛 have to think too long before a Broadway production was in the works.
The revival marks Kline鈥檚 first time performing in a play by the famed playwright, ever. 鈥淭his is my first Coward play,鈥� says Kline. 鈥淲hich is part of what makes it so enticing.鈥�
Cobie Smulders
Avengers star Smulders was a 20-year old high school graduate when she first encountered Coward. She was trying to decide whether to pursue acting or go to college and study marine biology, and came across Private Lives鈥攎aking her a fan of Coward鈥檚 work for life.
鈥淚 decided that I wanted to act professionally, so I was taking classes and [during one] I did the balcony scene from Coward鈥檚 Private Lives,鈥� says the actor. 鈥淚 didn鈥檛 understand it! Or, I thought I understood but now I understand it a lot better鈥� But I became a huge fan of Coward from then on.鈥�
Kristine Nielsen
Like many actors, Nielsen first performed in a Coward play as an undergrad drama student at North Western University. 鈥淒uring our fourth year as acting students, we did nothing but comedy,鈥� says the Tony nominee. 鈥淚 performed one of Coward鈥檚 one-acts and it was so fun to do. We had a great time.鈥�
Nielsen loved Coward鈥檚 comedy, but has never had the opportunity to revisit his work in the U.S., as 鈥渢here are so many wonderful Brits who come over and do it,鈥� says the actor. 鈥淭hen this opportunity came up.鈥�
Kevin Kline, Cobie Smulders and more tell audiences what to look forward to in Present Laughter:
Present Laughter is scheduled to play through July 2 at the St. James, located at 246 West 44th Street. Tickets are on sale at , by calling (877) 250-2929, or in person at the St. James Theatre Box Office.
