Present Laughter
Closed 2h 30m
Present Laughter
80

Present Laughter NYC Reviews and Tickets

80%
(668 Ratings)
Positive
87%
Mixed
11%
Negative
2%
Members say
Great acting, Funny, Entertaining, Delightful, Clever

About the Show

Tony and Oscar-winning actor Kevin Kline returns to Broadway in Noël Coward's classic comedy about a famous and self-obsessed actor whose comfortable life quickly spins out of control.

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Show-Score Member Reviews (668)

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155 Reviews | 32 Followers
90
Entertaining, Hilarious, Beautiful set, Great acting

See it if you like comedic farce - well acted and total escape - there is no redeeming factors to make you think about the world 2day, Kevin Kline FAB

Don't see it if You overthink everything - prudish and have to have a "meaning" for attending The Theatre

61 Reviews | 6 Followers
90
Clever, Great acting, Masterful

See it if you enjoy farce

Don't see it if want seriousness

416 Reviews | 66 Followers
90
Splendid, Funny, Great acting, Clever, Delightful

See it if you want to see brilliant & comedic acting via the Masters Kevin Kline, Kate Burton and Kristine Nielson.

Don't see it if you don't want a classy & old fashioned comedy about a theatrical rake. Or want to see HAMILTON. Read more

57 Reviews | 21 Followers
90
Absorbing, Hilarious, Great acting, Must see, Quirky

See it if You enjoy edgy dry humor brilliantly acted

Don't see it if You do not enjoy British humor

90 Reviews | 37 Followers
90
Clever, Delightful, Great acting, Hilarious, Entertaining

See it if You like Coward and want to see actors at the top of their game perform this genre perfectly. Kevin Kilne is fantastic.

Don't see it if You don't like comedy of manners or if you prefer slapstick, sophomoric laughs over wit and elegance.

83 Reviews | 25 Followers
90
Clever, Entertaining, Great acting, Hilarious, Masterful

See it if you love Noel Coward or perfectly executed comedy

Don't see it if you only like modern, edge works Read more

asa
77 Reviews | 83 Followers
90
Entertaining, Great acting, Masterful

See it if you like: Kevin Kline (who doesn't?-plus he is great here); Noel Coward plays; British comedies; witty play with a great ensemble cast.

Don't see it if you don't like: British comedies, Noel Coward plays, or shows set in the 1930's.

139 Reviews | 75 Followers
90
Clever, Delightful, Funny, Great acting, Intelligent

See it if You enjoy vintage wit along the lines of Cole Porter (this is Noel Coward), clever fluff, nothing too deep

Don't see it if You dislike dialogue-heavy comedy

Critic Reviews (56)

DC Theatre Scene
April 5th, 2017

“Kline’s fans are unlikely to feel disappointed...Yes, Kline is surrounded by some terrific pros. Director von Stuelpnagel adds some mischievous comic business…Yet all that talent goes into a show that registers as little more than a mild diversion, and a somewhat musty one…The goings-on are not frantic enough to be a full-out farce; not blunt enough to scandalize anybody in 2017; not funny or pointed enough to explain why the producers would bring back this play.”
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The Guardian (UK)
April 5th, 2017

“‘Present Laughter’ starts slowly…There’s a lot of business and jokes that are not exactly uproarious. There’s some creakiness in the way the play shunts characters on and offstage...The comedy also takes its maddening time establishing anything that looks like conflict…Garry is a hollow character, but Kline puts him together with care and shrewdness. As the play continues, his performance gathers increasing force until even a glancing gesture can summon helpless giggles.”
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Times Square Chronicles
April 10th, 2017

"It brings a much needed hilarity and lightness to Broadway, without pratfalls or other physical forms of amusement...Kline is a joy to watch...All of the supporting characters make a well-rounded cast except Bhavesh Patel who seemed to be in a different play...Director Moritz von Stuelpnagel understands that for comedy to be really great we must see the frailties and he does so in an understated way."
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The Wrap
April 5th, 2017

“At times it plays like a Kaufman and Hart comedy under von Stuelpnagel’s not always steady direction. At other times, it is veddy British, proper, and absolutely terrific—especially when Kevin Kline and Kate Burton are on stage, which, fortunately, is most of the time…There’s too much slapstick around the edges of this ‘Present Laughter,’ and it doesn’t always appear in some of these supporting performances…Fortunately, Kline is divine. So, too, is Burton in the far less showy role."
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T
April 6th, 2017

"Kevin Kline, still dashing and trim at nearly 70, makes a joyously pompous Garry...But Moritz von Stuelpnagel’s uneven direction makes this production not nearly as dizzying a knockabout farce as Scott’s self-directed show or the highly sexualized almost-orgy Scott Eliot made...There are several fits and starts as the comic engine of Coward’s plot warms up in the first act. It isn’t until the hilarious second act...that the action really gets going."
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Wolf Entertainment Guide
April 9th, 2017

"Through it all Kline is a master of comic and dramatic sophistication that exactly fits the tone of Coward’s best writing. That tone is achieved—with one exception—by the direction of Moritz von Stuelpnagel and the contributions of other starring cast members...A wonderfully entertaining production, with impeccable casting and resulting fine acting, led by the triumph of Kevin Kline...One of the most enjoyable plays, revival or original, of the season."
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Towleroad
April 6th, 2017

"Kline handles Coward’s elegant humor with a charming mix of subtlety and panache...Among the powerhouse supporting players, including a wry Kate Burton as Garry’s almost-ex wife Liz, and Reg Rogers as his leery publicist, it’s Kristine Neilsen, as his secretary Monica, who tends to steal the show...Director Moritz von Stuelpnagel proves his mastery extends beyond satanic puppets to high-minded drawing room comedy."
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Theater In The Now
May 3rd, 2017

“A night full of laughter and high-class comedy…Moritz von Stuelpnagel directs the play a bit safe but fills it with hilarity...Kline is a natural comedian. He knows how to land a joke. His physical comedy is effortless…Kline makes the production worthy of recognition. Alongside him was a strong supporting ensemble of women…Sometimes you just need to go to the theater for a laugh and this production fulfills that. There’s no need to reinvent the wheel when it comes to Noel Coward.”
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