Present Laughter

1996-1997

"Present Laughter" debuted on November 18, 1996 and ran until April 20, 1997. The show was staged at the Walter Kerr Theatre located at 219 West 48th Street New York, New York. This was a comedic play by Noel Coward about an actor named Gary Essendine, played by Frank Langella, as he prepares to take a tour of Africa; Allison played his wife Liz Essendine. The play was directed by Scott Elliot.

After half a decade of off-Broadway plays and small television and film parts, this production marked Allison's Broadway debut; it was made the day before her 37th birthday. The play is available to watch at the Theater on Film & Tape Archive of the New York City Public Library.

Allison won several prestigious awards for her performance in ‘Present Laughter’:

• The 1997 Clarence Derwent Award for Most Promising Performer

• The 1997 Outer Critics’ Circle Award for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play, and

• The 1997 Theater World Award

Allison was also nominated for a 1997 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play.

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