BTG Holds Open Auditions For The Noel Coward Comedy 'Present Laughter'

CHICAGO — It’s going to be all so witty and sophisticated as the Beverly Theatre Guild gets ready to mount its second production of the community theater group’s 61st season, the Noel Coward comedy “Present Laughter,” to be performed in the Baer Theatre at Morgan Park Academy in February.

“Present Laughter” tells the story of a few days in the life of Garry Essendine, a self infatuated matinee idol slipping into middle age. The intertwining relationships between the characters, which include his wife, girlfriend, secretary, manager, a young playwright who worships him, and others, have entertained audiences since Coward wrote the play in 1939. Critics consider the play “a timeless, imperishable comedy,” that is “wittily impudent and neatly invented.”

The play “Present Laughter” is notable as a theater classic, and while loosely based on his own life, Coward readily admitted he wrote it to give himself the leading part. Although the title comes from a line of Shakespeare, reviewers have said it accurately describes the reaction of the audience to the play.

BTG has sent out an open call for auditions, including descriptions of the characters in the play. Auditions are scheduled for Dec. 4 and Dec. 5 at the Baer Theater, 2153 West 111th St., Chicago. More information about the roles and sign-up can be found at WeJoinIn.

Glenn Z. Hering has been hired as the director for “Present Laughter,” a comedy by English playwright Noël Coward. The play is scheduled to be performed on February 16 – 18, 2024. Hering brings extensive experience in the theater world. He has directed or served as music director for almost 40 plays. For 11 years, he served on Chicago’s Jeff Awards Committee, including one year as chair. He was also a co-founder of the DreamStreet Theatre, a professional equity theater.

This play will be the ninth show Hering has directed for the BTG. He worked as the music director for three shows. A longtime resident of the South Side Chicago Beverly neighborhood, he has been a member of BTG for almost 33 years and has served as BTG president for five terms. In 2000, he was the recipient of the BTG Distinguished Service Award.

Performances are set for Feb, 16 through Feb. 18, 2024, in the Baer Theatre at Morgan Park Academy, 2153 West 111th St., Chicago.

The Beverly Theatre Guild is Chicago’s longest running community theater company, dating back to the 1920s. For more information, visit the Beverly Theatre Guild website. Ticket sales for “Present Laughter” will be announced soon.