Broadway's Present Laughter Tickets On Sale Starting Nov. 9; Garber, Harris Star

By Kenneth Jones
November 9, 2009

Tickets for the new Broadway production of Noël Coward's comedy Present Laughter, starring Victor Garber, go on sale on Nov. 9. Roundabout Theatre Company's new production is directed by Nicholas Martin and begins previews on Jan. 2, 2010.

Present Laughter, about an egomaniacal actor and the people in his orbit, will open on Jan. 21, 2010, at the American Airlines Theatre, 227 West 42nd Street. This is a limited engagement through March 21, 2010.

Martin directed Garber in the play for Huntington Theatre Company in 2007. Garber, a TV and film star seen on television's "Glee" and "Alias," was the original Anthony Hope in the musical Sweeney Todd on Broadway. The four-time Tony nominee also starred in Arcadia, Noises Off, Damn Yankees, Lend Me a Tenor and Little Me.

The cast of Present Laughter also includes Tony Award winner Harriet Harris (Monica Reed), Brooks Ashmanskas (Roland Maule), Lisa Banes (Liz Essendine), Nancy E. Carroll (Miss Erickson), Alice Duffy (Lady Saltburn), Holley Fain (Daphne Stillington), Pamela Jane Gray (Joanna Lypiatt), James Joseph O'Neil (Fred), Richard Poe (Henry Lypiatt), Marc Vietor (Morris Dixon).

The design team includes Alexander Dodge (sets), Jane Greenwood (costumes), Rui Rita (lights) and Drew Levy (sound).

According to Roundabout, "In Noël Coward's classic comedy, matinee idol Garry Essendine (Garber) sits at the center of his own universe. While Garry struggles to plan his upcoming trip to Africa, his elegant London flat is invaded by a love struck ingenue, an adulterous producer and a married seductress, not to mention Garry's estranged wife and a crazed young playwright. Just before Garry escapes, the full extent of his misdemeanors is discovered and all hell breaks loose."

Beginning Nov. 9, tickets will be available by calling Roundabout Ticket Services at (212) 719-1300, online at www.roundabouttheatre.org or at the American Airlines Box Office (227 West 42nd Street).

Ticket prices range from $66.50 to $116.50. Through ACCESS Roundabout, 100 tickets are available for the first four preview performances beginning Jan. 2, 2010, for only $10 each.

Present Laughter will play Tuesday through Saturday evening at 8 PM with Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2 PM.