Present Laughter, Starring Victor Garber, Hits the American Airlines Theatre January 2

Dates and a theater have been set for the previously announced Roundabout Theatre Company revival of Noel Coward’s Present Laughter, starring four-time Tony nominee Victor Garber. The comedy, directed by Nicholas Martin, will begin previews at the American Airlines Theatre January 2, 2010, with opening set for January 21. Additional casting and show details will be announced at a later date.

Garber will star as matinee idol Garry Essendine, a London matinee idol juggling a lovestruck ingénue, an adulterous producer, a married seductress, his own estranged wife and a crazed young playwright. Just before Garry escapes on a planned trip to Africa, the full extent of his misdemeanors is discovered and all hell breaks loose.

Present Laughter debuted on Broadway in 1946 with Clifton Webb as Garry Essendine. The playwright himself played the part in a six-performance Broadway run in 1958, and George C. Scott starred in a 1982 Broadway revival. The play was most recently revived on Broadway in 1996 with Frank Langella as Garry.