January 22, 2010

Review roundup for 'Present Laughter' on Broadway

The revival of the semi-autobiographical Noel Coward 1939 comedy “Present Laughter” opened on Broadway on Thursday, drawing a handful of fawning reviews, though more than one critic compared the play to champagne that’s lost its fizz.

Victor Garber starts as Garry Essendine, a matinee star reaching the end of his prime, juggling staff and hangers-on with wit and aplomb. This is fifth time on Broadway.

The Roundabout Theatre Company’s production of “Present Laughter” plays through March 21 at the American Airlines Theatre, 227 W. 42 St., map. Regular tickets are priced from $66.50 to $116.50.

The play runs 2 hours and 30 minutes with two intermissions. The bar offers specialty cocktails tailored to the show, including the Faithful Ex, the Unutterable Fool and Everybody’s Mistress. Intermission cocktails must be ordered pre-show, and are half price at intermission if you drink one before curtain.

A number of special programs will be offered during the run, including sign-interpreted performances, pre-theater discussions, a wine tasting series, plus a gay and lesbian series.

The “Present Laughter” reviews on Broadway:

New York Times - “As a vehicle for former matinee idols on the wrong side of 40, ‘Present Laughter’ is ideal, a purring vintage Daimler that simply requires a magnetic actor of finely honed comic gifts to work its considerable charms. Mr. Garber fits the role as neatly as those silk pajamas fit him. “

Variety - “It’s with the interlopers that the production’s weaknesses — and the three-act play’s occasionally saggy structure — become apparent. Necessary as it is to lay the groundwork for Garry’s apathetic philandering and the transparent ruse of the women who maneuver their way into his busy evenings, the opening setup is made laborious by Holley Fain’s flat turn as besotted ingenue Daphne.”

Wall Street Journal - “If you’ve never seen ‘Present Laughter,’ go and enjoy yourself: It’s a comic gem, and this production is much better than none at all. The set alone, an Art Deco orgy designed by Alexander Dodge, is almost worth the price of admission.”

Daily News - “His insights into celebrity, growing old, and hanging on when everyone’s counting on you to bring home the bacon remain relevant.”

Associated Press - “One of the reasons ‘Present Laughter’ works so well is Coward’s shrewd, sure sense of self-mockery, a quality Garber captures with ease.”

Post - “The Roundabout’s revival of “Present Laughter” that opened last night hits all of these targets — Alexander Dodge’s lavish deco decor, in particular, gets applause — and yet it almost never feels right.”

Hollywood Reporter - “But Garber seems to be resisting the larger-than-life elements of the role, attempting to convey the psychological truth of Essendine’s midlife crisis rather than the vainglorious aspects of his personality. The results are a ‘Present Laughter’ without much laughter, indeed.”

Bloomberg - “The text has undergone cuts, rephrasings, and some peculiar additions, including a redundant, musical-comedy second ending. Still, no one can quite kill Coward. “

The Record - “The direction, by Nicholas Martin, has a few funny physical bits, but is otherwise sluggish, and with the exception of Banes’ charming turn as the wife, the other performances are unremarkable.”

Financial Times - “Seeing this 1939 comedy again, on Broadway, in the Roundabout’s handsome 42nd Street space, I flashed more often to Twelfth Night, whence Coward plucks the play’s name (‘present mirth hath present laughter’).”

Image source: Roundabout Theatre Company

Earlier: ‘Present Laughter’ to sell Broadway tickets from $10

January 22, 2010 7:50 AM in Broadway, Midtown

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