The Black Box Theatre at McHenry County College (MCC) is proud to announce their spring production of Present Laughter by Noel Coward, directed by Angie Kells.
Present Laughter is a lighthearted farce that celebrates playwright Noel Coward’s legendary wit and larger-than-life persona. Based on Coward himself, actor Garry Essendine is the star of the London theatrical scene at the height of his fame and adored by legions of admirers—perhaps a little too much. Fans regularly throw themselves at Garry’s feet, drawn in by his charm and charisma, throwing his household into chaos. In the week before Garry is set to embark on an African tour, he is forced to juggle a infatuated young woman with stars in her eyes, an unhinged young playwright obsessed with being in Garry’s presence, his best friend’s wife who is determined to seduce him, his manager, his producer, his secretary, his estranged ex-wife, and an impending mid-life crisis as his 40th birthday looms ever closer (Stage Agent).
Present Laughter is directed by Angie Kells (Woodstock), with assistant director Chelsea Boesiger (McHenry), dialect coach Marisa Snook (Woodstock), set design by Eric Luchen (Chicago), lighting design by Deb Holmen (Crystal Lake), costume design by Carol Foreman (Cary), technical direction by Chris Adkins (Woodstock), scenic painting by Holly Adkins (Woodstock), stage management by Mailin Contreras (Woodstock), and producer and artistic director Jay Geller (Kildeer).
The cast includes Joel Bennett, (McHenry), Skye Schoen (Johnsburg), Bobby Roberts, Emily Kunash, Paul Lockwood (Woodstock), Gianah Tomczak (Crystal Lake), Karen Christensen Peterson (Rolling Meadows), Stephen Pickering (Fox River Grove), Addie Keller (Harvard), and Brian Fleming (Chicago).
Present Laughter opens Friday, March 8 and runs March 9–10,15–17, and 22–24. Friday and Saturday performances are at 7 p.m. and Sunday performances are at 2 p.m.
Tickets are $10 for students, MCC employees, seniors, veterans, and MCC alumni, and $15 for the general public.
For reservations, please call (815) 455-8746 or email jgeller@mchenry.edu. The Black Box Theatre is located at MCC, 8900 US Hwy. 14, Crystal Lake, IL. Please park in Lot C and enter Building E.
Learn more about The Black Box Theatre.