Wayne Goodman (L) and Patrick Atkinson work behind the scenes to make Noel Coward’s “Present Laughter” take the stage at the Orinda Community Center Amphitheater starting July 24.
The Orinda Starlight Village Players (OrSVP) return in July with “Present Laughter,” a Noel Coward comedy directed by Patrick Atkinson, opening on July 24.
Set in 1941, “Present Laughter” focuses on Garry Essendine (played by Matt Cardigan-Smith), a famous theater actor, as his life is thrown into chaos when he tries to juggle his business partners, personal secretary, household staff, estranged wife, an obsessed playwright and a lovestruck debutante – all while trying to prepare for a theatrical tour of Africa.
Atkinson joined OrSVP in 2022.
“After working with Beth Sheridan in reader’s theater with the East Bay Play Readers, Beth called me and asked if I could do a Scottish accent,” said Atkinson. “Luckily the answer was yes, and she cast me in ‘Toward Zero,’ at OrSVP. I have been hooked ever since, returning each summer.”
Since then, Atkinson has been on the OrSVP stage in “It Runs in the Family,” “Murder on the Orient Express,” and this year’s “The Murder of Roger Ackroyd.” Atkinson also co-directed, with Venee Call-Ferrer, OrSVP’s 2024 production of “Much Ado About Nothing.” Atkinson said, “I have made dear friends here – one couldn’t ask for a better group of sweet, dedicated, talented people. And being surrounded by trees and under the stars is such a treat.”
Atkinson is excited to get this production onto the stage because of the characters in the play.
“It includes one of Noel Coward’s most hilarious and charismatic leading men,” said Atkinson. “Around him is a kaleidoscope of obsessed fans, wacky servants and exasperated friends. Individually, all the characters shine, but as an ensemble they are unmatched.”
As the saying goes, comedy is hard, and Atkinson has his work cut out for him.
“We strive always to keep things moving so that the audience stays riveted throughout, but we have to be careful,” he said. “Coward ‘stacks’ his jokes one after another, which can be overwhelming. The trick is knowing when to relent so that the audience can catch its breath.”
Atkinson is working with Wayne Goodman (also seen in “The Murder of Roger Ackroyd”) on music for the show.
“Wayne has lent his talent for arranging music that will match the tone and energy of the play,” said Atkinson. “We are aiming for uptempo fan favorites in the public domain, played with strings and piano.”
Goodman auditioned for last year’s “Murder on the Orient Express,” landing the role of Monsieur Bouk, the manager of the railway company. “There I met Patrick Atkinson, who played Hercule Poirot,” said Goodman. “This year, he returned in his role, and I once again played his sidekick.”
Goodman has scored several musical theater shows and other music using high-end music software.
“Patrick asked if I would assist him with some musical choices for pre-show and intermission music,” said Goodman. “We wanted to use only music in the public domain so that we would not have to deal with copyright or royalty issues. Very little of Noel Coward’s works are in the public domain, but I found a few things we could include. I have produced several works, from familiar classical pieces to some 20th Century works in the public domain.”
This year OrSVP is launching new events at show performances. Join the cast and crew for a talkback after the Aug. 9 matinee, where audience members may ask questions and learn about what goes into putting on a production at OrSVP.
“Present Laughter” opens July 24 at the Orinda Community Center Park Amphitheater and runs through Aug. 15, with performances Friday and Saturday nights at 8:30 p.m., one Sunday matinee Aug. 9 at 4 p.m., and one Thursday performance Aug. 13 at 8 p.m.
For more information, visit orsvp.org, email info@orsvp.org or call 925.528.9225.
