Kevin Kline to Return to Broadway in PRESENT LAUGHTER!

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

Posted: 9/27/16 at 3:20pm

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Breaking-News-Kevin-Kline-Will-Return-to-Broadway-Next-Season-in-PRESENT-LAUGHTER-20160927

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 9/27/16 at 3:22pm

Hopefully this is better than the Roundabout production...

[Kad]

Posted: 9/27/16 at 3:30pm

Hopefully Nina Arianda continues with it.

[DramaTeach]

Posted: 9/27/16 at 3:37pm

This makes me so happy!  I'm such a fan on Kline, but he doesn't do all that much.  I can't wait to see him!

 

Just read the article and while the headline says "next season," the article says early next year meaning Jan/Feb of 2017 (this season).  Which one is it?

Updated On: 9/27/16 at 03:37 PM

[Valentina3]

Posted: 9/27/16 at 3:43pm

Kad said: "Hopefully Nina Arianda continues with it."


I hope so too. The cast doesn't excite me as much otherwise. St. James though - I find it a bad house for plays. I guess we'll see how it goes.

 

[barcelona20]

Posted: 9/27/16 at 3:56pm

Boring. Should have picked a more interesting play Kevin!

[RippedMan]

Posted: 9/27/16 at 6:18pm

Well it says it opens April 5, so it's this season. 

 

Guess they aren't doing renovations?

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

Posted: 9/27/16 at 6:22pm

According to Michael Riedel, the St. James Theatre will be renovated after Present Laughter completes its limited run...
http://nypost.com/2016/09/27/kevin-kline-is-coming-back-to-broadway/

[10086sunset]

Posted: 9/27/16 at 6:53pm

Shocked that Kline actually said yes to something...

[Sauja]

Posted: 9/27/16 at 7:28pm

Let's say I didn't like the Garber production of this, the Kim Cattrall Private Lives, or the Angela Lansbury Blithe Spirit. Should I give up on Coward, or do we think there's hope yet that a production will open my eyes. The one that most concerns me is having disliked Blithe Spirit (I fell asleep). That was considered a great production of his work, yes? I'm afraid he may just not be my cup of tea. But Kline and the director make for a compelling pair.

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 9/28/16 at 1:11am

Noel Coward's plays are not always compatable with modern American humor. I like his stuff but it's not for everyone. Present Laughter is no masterpiece though, and exists soley as a star vehicle - is Kevin Kline enough of a draw to get people to see it again after two recent Broadway revivals?

[newintown]

Posted: 9/28/16 at 8:20am

The Frank Langella revival back in the 90s was very entertaining; I think this is a terrific part for Kline. I hope the supporting cast is equally good.

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

Posted: 9/28/16 at 10:12am

The Distinctive Baritone said: "Is Kevin Kline enough of a draw to get people to see it again after two recent Broadway revivals?"

Well, it's a good thing they'll be opening in the spring. That way if it ends up getting some Tony nominations, the producers would be able to capitalize on them during Tony season.

[AC126748]

Posted: 9/28/16 at 10:16am

The recent revival with Victor Garber was a competent regional theater production that had no business being on Broadway. For all his talent, Garber had none of the charm or wit required for the role. The production was also hampered by Brooks Ashmankas's shamelessly over-the-top performance.

Kline is an ideal choice for Garry Essendine, and I imagine his participation will draw a top-drawer supporting cast. This is a show with many choice roles. It shouldn't be hard to find great actors to fill them.

[wonkit]

Posted: 9/28/16 at 10:48am

I saw the Garber revival and liked seeing him on stage but didn't think anything about the production was otherwise memorable. Oh, maybe the beautiful set? I am not a Noel Coward fan and I am sorry that this was Kline's choice for his return. Surely there was something else at least interesting to consider. 

[morosco]

Posted: 9/28/16 at 2:07pm

That set was gorgeous!

[10086sunset]

Posted: 11/9/16 at 5:48pm

Tickets are now available through an AMEX presale on ticketmaster...

[Valentina3]

Posted: 11/9/16 at 6:13pm

morosco said: "That set was gorgeous!

"

Wow! That really does look beautiful. Is it just me, or I'm seeing heavy inspirations from Follies and Mame?

 

 

Also, any word on supporting cast? Need Nina Arianda confirmation before I buy tickets.

 

[IdinaBellFoster]

Posted: 11/30/16 at 1:31pm

Kate Burton just confirmed in her AOL Build interview that she will be joining the cast!

[AC126748]

Posted: 11/30/16 at 1:35pm

Did she say which role she'd be playing? I could see her as Liz or Monica.

[IdinaBellFoster]

Posted: 11/30/16 at 1:51pm

No she did not...she prefaced it by saying she really should't even be announcing it yet. I expect we'll get an announcement soon. Excited to have her back on Broadway!

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

Posted: 12/9/16 at 10:23am

Kate Burton, Kristine Nielsen, & Cobie Smulders will be joining the cast..
http://www.ew.com/article/2016/12/09/cobie-smulders-broadway-debut-kevin-kline-present-laughter?xid=entertainment-weekly_socialflow_twitter

[wonkit]

Posted: 12/9/16 at 6:30pm

I saw the Garber revival, and I thought he was excellent and the set was spectacular. But Noel Coward is a complete bore, not at all entertaining and heavily over-written. I saw the Angela Lansbury BLITHE SPIRIT years back, and fell asleep. But I do want to see Kline and will probably resign myself to yawning through it, even with someone of his caliber.

[barbraboy19902]

Posted: 12/18/16 at 12:18pm

What's the buzz on this show? I'm considering getting tickets to fill my final slot but am not quite sure if I should take the plunge, or go for something different. 

[RippedMan]

Posted: 12/30/16 at 2:08am

Word is it's Colbie Smoulder from How I Met Your Mother and Kate Walsh.