SEAN MURRAY IS AT THE TOP OF HIS GAME IN CYGNET’S “PRESENT LAUGHTER”.

We’ve always known that Sean Murray is a fine actor, director, and everything else that goes into being artistic director of a theatre. His role as  Garry Essendine in Noël Coward’s comic play/satire, “Present Laughter”, is the topping on the cake for him. He is an absolute standout with an absolute standout cast of characters as directed by the absolutely fit for the task Rosina Reynolds. (Reynolds also directed Coward’s “Blithe Spirit” some years ago at The North Coast Rep.) 

Like Murray, Coward was an actor, and director. Coward was also a lyricist, producer, egotist. He was a  songwriter and he wrote short stories and novels. He was an entertainer in his later years. Like “Blithe Spirit” the production was put off due to the breakout of World War II. Both were written in 1939 and finally produced in 1941/42. But that never put a damper on his writing and/or sense of humor.

When the show opened in 1942 Coward, who wrote the part of Essendine for himself, of course played Essendine. Oh, to have seen that. But fear not, Murray, as noted earlier has Essendine nailed, as do the other cast members, and there are no less than ten in all; some hiding out in Garry’s guest room, or the kitchen or the office, or behind the piano, or like Garry, in his upstairs bedroom. Tony Cucuzzella designed a  two story(art deco) set that has at least four doors through which someone is either coming or going. The furniture is fashionably early 40’s with a couch in the center of the living room, a piano off to the side which Garry plays off and on, and a large portrait of he himself visible to all.

Sean Murray as Garry Essendine

The lists of who’s who in Garry’s world include his ex -wife, Liz Essendine (a take it in stride self- composed Shana Wride), his producer Henry ( wonderful James Newcomb) and his wife, Joanna (gorgeous Amanda Sitton), his manager Morris (Steven Lone, what can I say but handsome), a young debutante looking for Garry's attention, Daphne (Lindsey Young), who faints at the drop of a dime, a  wannbe playwright, neurotic Roland (Trevor Cruse). 

His household crew consist of his overworked assistant Monica (perfect Melissa Fernandes), his whistling valet Fred (Drew Bradford) and his housekeeper Miss Erikson (a riotous Annie Hinton).

Coward’s 3+ act play, which is highly predictable, isn’t really about the social mores of the rich and famous, upper class or whose sleeping with whom, or the irritations of the high and mighty, as much as as it is about how the characters show up to become what and who they are. And here this cast does it spot on, of this there is no doubt.

Lindsey Young and Sean Murray

As for all the women who drop at Essendine’s feet  or should I say hide in the guest bedroom for fear of running into say, a husband, are all glamorous and dressed to the nines in Elsa Benzoni’s stunning evening gowns or one or of the stylish dressing robes or pajamas belonging to Essendine. They all get a chance at wearing one or the other. As for the others, their dress reflects their station in life as do the various dialects according to their station (Vanessa Dinning).

Amanda Sitton and Sean Murray

Then there are the repeats, as I call them, that sets the stage for more farce, as when Roland, the would be writer, shakes hands with everyone he nearly crushes them in the process, or every time Essendine  goes to open the door he smooths back his hair, or each of the wayward girls stashed in Essendine’s guest bedroom innocently ‘forgot their latch key’, or his valet Fred who does an about face every time he’s doing another task for his boss.

Murray and Melissa Fernandes

All this happens as Garry is getting ready to go to Africa to complete some unfinished work and tour the country. But some business deals at home need attention. And so, begins “Present Laughter”, with all the chaos thrown in boggling the imagination, but painfully funny and smart.

And laughter from the audience and some from the ad libs on stage had me laughing at the shenanigans all the way home and then some. And as far as Murray is concerned, don’t let that wagging finger of his fool you. He’s having a hell of a time. 

Shana Wride and Sean Murray

Lighting designer Colby Freel shows us time lapsing, sound designer, TJ Fucella has the phones and bells in sync, Bonnie Durben, all the props you see on stage and Peter Herman’s always spot on  period wigs and makeup. It’s all there my friends to tickle your funny bone.

Enjoy.

See you at the theatre.  

 

When: 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays; 8 p.m. Fridays; 3 and 8 p.m. Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays. Through April 29

Where: Cygnet Theatre, 4040 Twiggs St., Old Town State Historic ParK

Tickets: $32 and up

Phone: (619) 337-1525

Photo: Karli Cadel

Online: cygnettheatre.com