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TWO RIVER THEATER PRESENTS NOeL COWARD'S PRESENT LAUGHTER, DIRECTED BY NINE-TIME EMMY AWARD WINNER DAVID LEE

Published by New Jersey Stage

originally published: 05/16/2013

(RED BANK, NJ) -- Two River Theater Company, under the leadership of Artistic Director John Dias and Managing Director Michael Hurst, concludes its 2012-2013 Season with Noel Coward's Present Laughter, directed by nine-time Emmy Award winner David Lee. Performances will begin in Two River's Rechnitz Theater, 21 Bridge Avenue, on Saturday, June 1 and continue through Sunday, June 23. Tickets are available from 732.345.1400 or TRTC.org. Present Laughter is sponsored by Durso Wealth Management Group at Morgan Stanley.
One of Noel Coward's later plays, the semi-autobiographical comedy Present Laughter was written in 1939 and first performed in 1942, with Coward himself starring as the charming, witty, and blithely egocentric matinee idol Garry Essendine. Garry, played at Two River Theater by Tony nominee and Obie winner Michael Cumpsty (The End of the Rainbow), sees his life as an eternal performance—one in which the spotlight never goes out. Director David Lee's production draws audiences into the larger world of Garry's inner circle, revealing the unexpected love story at the heart of the play.
Resplendent with 1930s glamour, Two River's production features the work of scenic designer Tony Straiges (Sunday in the Park with George), costume designer Tilly Grimes (Two River's Henry V), lighting designer Rui Rita (August Wilson's The Piano Lesson), sound designer Leon Rothenberg (The Nance), and dialect coach Ben Furey (Matilda). The music direction is by John O'Neill and the casting is by Cindy Tolan & Adam Caldwell. The production stage manager is Amanda Michaels.
Present Laughter features Leighton Bryan (Joanna Lyppiatt), Mark Capri (Hugo Lyppiatt), Veanne Cox (Monica Reed), Michael Cumpsty (Garry Essendine), Cole Escola (Roland Maule), Richard Hollis (Fred), Kaitlin Hopkins (Liz Essendine), Robin Moseley (Lady Saltburn), James Riordan (Morris Dixon), Camille Saviola (Miss Erikson) and Hayley Treider (Daphne Stillington).

Noel Coward (Playwright) was a renaissance man of theater and film—a writer, director, actor, producer, screenwriter, and cabaret artist. His plays include Private Lives, Blithe Spirit, Hay Fever, and Design for Living. His films include In Which We Serve and Brief Encounter, and he was the composer-lyricist of songs including "Mad About the Boy" and "Mad Dogs and Englishmen." Coward was knighted in 1969 and died at his home in Jamaica in 1973.
David Lee (Director) is a nine-time Emmy Award winner. His work in the theater includes an acclaimed production of South Pacific at the Hollywood Bowl (starring Reba McIntire and Brian Stokes Mitchell), and many productions for Pasadena Playhouse including the classic Cole Porter musical Can-Can, for which he also wrote a new book, and for which he received an Ovation Award for Best Director. Lee is a co-creator of Frasier and Wings; his other television credits include Cheers and Everybody Loves Raymond. In addition to 19 Emmy nominations, he is the recipient of the Directors Guild Award, Golden Globe, Producers Guild Award, GLAAD Media Award, British Comedy Award, Television Critics Association Award (three times), the Humanitas Prize (twice), and the Peabody.
Special Event: Frasier: Unplugged
Noel Coward's plays evoke a time when dialogue was smart, banter was witty, and even everyday emotions were passionately felt. The modern equivalent of his style can be found in the classic television series Frasier. In a special evening, David Lee, the co-creator of Frasier, will be joined by David Hyde Pierce (Dr. Niles Crane) and Peri Gilpin (Roz Doyle) to talk about the making of the show and answer questions from the audience. Tickets for Frasier: Unplugged range from $50 to $250. Patrons who purchase $250 tickets will enjoy an exclusive pre-show reception with the artists beginning at 6:30 pm and premium seating in the Rechnitz Theater. Tickets are available from 732.345.1400 or TRTC.org.
Ticket Information
Ticket prices start at $37, with discounts available for groups, seniors, and U.S. military personnel, their families, and veterans. A limited number of $20 tickets are available for every performance. Tickets for patrons under 30 are $24 and include the best available seats at every performance. Student matinee tickets are $15. Tickets are available from 732.345.1400 or TRTC.org.




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