Present Laughter
Fans of The West Wing might recall a moment when President Bartlet is sarcastically called on his "Noel Coward-esque wit." President Bartlet would love this revival of Mr. Coward's Present Laughter . This fun and fluffy play, centering on the zany goings on at theatre impresario Garry Essendine's studio, is filled to the brim with Noel Coward-esque wit, that kind of smart, snappy dialogue—especially among mixed company—that you rarely hear anymore. (No doubt it's the kind of repartee for which West Wing scribe Aaron Sorkin aims.) The kind of dialogue that doesn't talk down to its audience or its characters; dialogue that proves women are smart and strong, equal to the men with whom they keep company. (Three cheers for director Moritz von Stuelpnagel (a Tony nominee for Hand to God ) for the terrific pacing and for letting things go crazy without going off the tracks.) We're lucky to have such a pitch perfect production of such a play, and it...