Skip to main content
Joseph Cillo

Present Laughter

By January 25, 2025No Comments

 

Sparkling, Door-Slamming, Over-the-Top Hilarity

Present Laughter at Novato Theater Company is like a perfectly shaken martini—crisp, a little extravagant, and guaranteed to make you smile. Directed by Carl Jordan, this Noël Coward classic starts out fairly tame, with Garry Essendine (David Abrams) in a romantic entanglement with the starry-eyed Daphne Stillington (Tina Traboulsi). But don’t let the slow burn fool you. Before long, people are popping out of doors like toast from a five-slot toaster, each bringing more absurdity and hilarity than the last. You don’t just watch the comedy build—you feel it, like waiting for the next slam or quirky entrance, and boy, do they deliver.

David Abrams is pitch-perfect as Garry, a vain matinee idol whose life is more dramatic than anything onstage. He pouts, he preens, he charms—and he somehow manages to keep his composure as the chaos around him spirals. Tina Traboulsi plays Daphne with bubbly, wide-eyed mischief, and Thomas Peterson’s Roland Maule is a delightfully oddball wildcard, the kind of guy who makes you laugh just by standing there looking like he’s thinking too hard. Heather Shepardson’s Monica Reed slices through the madness with razor-sharp wit, Kevin Allen’s Morris Dixon rolls his eyes in all the right places, and Shirley Nilsen Hall brings just the right dose of deadpan as Miss Erikson. Honestly, though, the whole cast shines. There’s not a weak link in the bunch—they’re like a comedic relay team, and nobody drops the baton.

Photo Credit: Jere Torkelsen

Carl Jordan keeps the action moving at a brisk clip, orchestrating Coward’s rapid-fire dialogue and physical comedy with precision. The set—five doors that see more traffic than a 24-hour diner—is practically a character in itself, and the costumes add a dash of glamour to the chaos. As the action crescendos, the audience can’t help but revel in the brilliance of every slam, twist, and turn.

Present Laughter isn’t just a comedy—it’s a full-blown riot of laughter, charm, and theatrical magic. Grab a seat, hold on tight, and prepare for a night you’ll be grinning about long after the doors finally stop slamming.


Tickets

Present Laughter runs through February 16, at Novato Theater Company.
Tickets range from $30 to $40, depending on seating and performance date.
Performances include evening and matinee options, with accessible seating available.

For full schedule and to purchase tickets, visit Novato Theater Company or call (415) 883-4498