Present Laughter has Solid Laughs

by Andrew Juhl

Coralville - Noël Coward’s semi-autobiographical sub-farce Present Laughter is a tricky piece. One of the great things about all-out farces and jokey-joke comedies is that even novice casts can stage them and get an adequate number of laughs from the audience. Present Laughter requires a defter, more subtle delivery from all its players in order to achieve the same level of applause.

There were definitely some good performances on opening night, but unfortunately the show overall fell somewhat short of its potential.

The plot follows a few days in the life of the successful and self-obsessed light comedy actor Garry Essendine as he prepares to travel for a touring commitment in Africa. He finds himself dealing with women who want to seduce him, placating both his long-suffering secretary and his estranged wife, being stalked by a crazed young playwright, and working through his own obsession with oncoming middle age.

David Q. Combs, starring as “Garry Essendine” (a role written by Coward unabashedly for Coward), turns in the best-understood performance of the ensemble—which is to be expected, as he is the lone professional actor in the cast.

His competence in the role, however, does not make the character of Essendine any more likable. For that, the whole of the supporting cast would have needed to better understand and portray their character’s connections and pasts. Essendine is a narcissistic and self-righteous jackass, surrounded alternatingly by obnoxious sycophants, malcontented employees, and friends who can barely stand him—none of whom are any more likable than Essendine, to be frank. Cheating wives, lying ingénues, and deceitful young playwrights do not a caring audience member make without the actors giving those characters some dimension. If I don’t like or care about the characters, then it doesn’t matter how good the words on the page are; those witty retorts won’t elicit the reaction “good one!” so much as they’ll provoke the response “what a bunch of horrible asses.”

That’s not to say there’s nothing redeemable about the show. Beyond Combs, who delivers his character’s more powerful scenes with aplomb, there are other cast members who deserve special note. Adam Burton (“Roland Maule”) steals his scenes with bushy-tailed enthusiasm, and Doreen Loring (“Liz Essendine”) says her lines with a calm, steely detachment that sets her apart from everyone else on stage as someone not to be trifled with. I enjoyed Jessica Murillo’s (“Joanna Lyppiatt”) performance, without particularly enjoying anything she did or said. Paradoxical, I know. But go see it and you might agree with me.

Director Rachel Lindhart makes good use of the small stage in the Children’s Museum, and moves the character’s around constantly, keeping the action and the dialogue from getting sleepy. The set is also well-designed to make good use of such a small space, containing several entrances and exits without being cluttered. (Self-aware pretentious note to the prop masters, though: nobody who keeps their sherry and scotch in stoppered crystal at a bar station displays a bottle Johnny Walker Black Label alongside a bottle of Passport Scotch. That’s like hanging a Thomas Kinkade print right next to your authentic Edward Hopper.)

I can’t like every play I see, but I can find things I like about every play I see. There were more than a handful of solid laughs, as well as some truly good performances within the cast. This is the last show in City Circle’s current season, and will be their last show in the Children’s Museum space, so consider attending Present Laughter to help support City Circle as they move into their next season and their new home.

Present Laughter opens Friday

Coralville - City Circle Acting Company of Coralville will present Noel Coward’s comedy Present Laughter, April 8-17, 2011.

The wit and wordplay of Noel Coward will be on display in Present Laughter, the final production of City Circle’s current season. The action follows a few days in the life of a narcissistic actor and the women who love him. Director Rachael Lindhart says the wry comedy features "the kind of witty things you wish you would have said."

The cast features a combination of City Circle veterans and newcomers to our theater family:

Garry Essendine - David Q. Combs
Fred - Lewis Wasson
Miss Erikson - Janet Haar
Monica Reed - Annette Rohlk
Liz Essendine - Doreen Loring
Daphne Stillington - Becca Wright
Roland Maule - Adam Burton
Hugo Lyppiatt - Josh Sazon
Morris Dixon - Jeff Emrich
Joanna Lyppiatt - Jessica Murillo
Mrs. J. P. Saltburn - Kit Gerken

Performances of Present Laughter will be held at the Iowa Children’s Museum Theatre, Coral Ridge Mall, April 8, 9, 15 and 16 at 7:30pm and April 10 and 17 at 2pm. Tickets are $17 for adults and $14 for students/seniors. Tickets may be purchased at the door or online at www.citycircle.org.

Present Laughter cast chosen

Coralville - Director Rachael Lindhart has chosen her cast for the upcoming City Circle production of Noel Coward's Present Laughter. The show opens April 8. It is the final show of City Circle's 2010-11 season.

Cast:

Garry Essendine - David Q. Combs
Fred - Lewis Wasson
Miss Erikson - Janet Haar
Monica Reed - Annette Rohlk
Liz Essendine - Doreen Loring
Daphne Stillington - Becca Wright
Roland Maule - Adam Burton
Hugo Lyppiatt - Josh Sazon
Morris Dixon - Jeff Emrich
Joanna Lyppiatt - Jessica Murillo
Mrs. J. P. Saltburn - Kit Gerken

Auditions for Present Laughter

Coralville - City Circle Acting Company of Coralville will hold auditions for Noel Coward’s comedy Present Laughter Friday, February 11 from 6-8 pm and Saturday, February 12 from 2-4 pm at the Iowa Children’s Museum in the Coral Ridge Mall, 1451 Coral Ridge Avenue.

The wit and wordplay of Noel Coward will be on display in Present Laughter, the final production of City Circle’s current season. The action follows a few days in the life of a narcissistic actor and the women who love him. Director Rachael Lindhart says the wry comedy features "the kind of witty things you wish you would have said."

Men and women of all races and physical types are encouraged to audition. Particularly sought are one woman age 18 and one woman age 60 or more. No preparation is necessary – actors will be asked to do cold readings from provided scripts. Information on specific roles is available at www.citycircle.org.

Auditionees who are unable to attend are encouraged to contact the director, Rachael Lindhart at LINDRACH@aol.com. Rehearsals will begin February 20. Performances of Present Laughter will be held at the Iowa Children’s Museum Theatre April 8-17.