'Present Laughter's' Pleasant Surprises

People have apparently gotten so giddy over the Two River Theater's first performances of Noel Coward's Present Laughter that the show has been extended for a week.

The run of the 1930s glamour-era production about philandering matinee idol that was slated to close on June 23 will now end on June 30, the theater's management announced on the theater's Facebook page.

In addition to the popularity of the show, its director is also a big-name favorite, especially for Frazier fans — nine-time Emmy winner David Lee, co-creator of Frasier and a Cheers producer and writer.

Last night, in fact, the theater featured Frasier: Unplugged, a night of talk with Lee and Frazier stars David Hyde Pierce, Dr. Niles Crane on the show, and Peri Gilpin, Roz Doyle, about the making of the popular comedy.

The night was a success, according to the Facebook page, ending in a standing ovation. Since Frasier was a sort-of modern-day Present Laughter-type show, theater management felt that Unplugged would be a great companion theater evening.

And that's not the only success inherent in this production. Leon Rothenberg, the production's sound designer won a Tony on Sunday for Best Sound Design in a Play for his work in Broadway's The Nance.

"I used to think that your birthday was the best day ever on Facebook," Rothenberg said on the theater's Facebook page. "Then I thought that the day you got nominated for a big award like a Tony was the best day on Facebook. Well, turns out the best day on Facebook is the day you win a Tony, and your phone keeps crashing because it can't keep up. I want to express the most heartfelt thanks to everyone from nearly every moment in my life who has written, emailed, texted, Facebook'ed and otherwise expressed their congratulations. Connecting with and hearing from all of you is the highest honor I could have never imagined. Thank you."

The Present Laughter cast features: Tony Award nominees Michael Cumpsty (End of the Rainbow) and Veanne Cox (Company) in the lead roles, Leighton Bryan, Mark Capri, Cole Escola, Richard Hollis, Kaitlin Hopkins, Robin Moseley, James Riordan, Camille Saviola, and Hayley Treider.

Take a look at the clip above for a glimpse into the production and click here for a look behind the scenes putting the set together. If you have any photos from last night's Unplugged, upload them right to the site.

And, have a little fun with us and tell us your favorite classic line from Frazier and/or Present Laughter or any other Noel Coward play.