Despite earlier hopes that Frank Langella's Broadway revival of Noel Coward's Present Laughter could run through the Tony Awards, the show now has announced that it will close April 20 after 175 performances.

The $1.5 million revival was produced by David Richenthal and Anita Howe Waxman, and features the Broadway directing debut of Scott Elliott, who staged Curtains, Ecstasy and The Monogamist Off-Broadway. He also was recently named a resident artist at Roundabout Theatre, where his Three Sisters runs through April 6.

Present Laughter spokesperson Roger Bean said "everything got just a little soft with all the other things opening."

Present Laughter will play through April 20 at the Walter Kerr Theatre.

Tickets can be ordered by calling (212) 239-6200; outside metro NY area: (800) 432 7250. You can also order tickets on Playbill On-Line. Langella went from tears to Laughter on Broadway in 1996. Langella is following-up his acclaimed performance in August Strindberg's drama The Father in February 1996 with this comedy revival.

Cabaret pianist Steve Ross has a featured role. Also in the opening night cast were David Cale, Lisa Emery, Tim Hopper, Allison Janney, Kelly Overbey, Judith Roberts, Steve Ross, Caroline Seymour, Margaret Sophie Stein and Jeff Weiss.

Langella's most famous stage appearances have been as Dracula (in Dracula), Sherlock Holmes and Salieri (in Amadeus ).

This production has special meaning for Steve Ross. Best known as a cabaret entertainer who makes Cole Porter and Noel Coward songs his specialty, Ross actually played on Coward's own piano at the composer's last home in Jamaica.

Present Laughter has sets by Derek McLane, costumes by Ann Roth, lighting by Brian Mac Devitt, and sound by Raymond Schilke.

For information on Langella and the rest of the cast, check Playbill On-Line's Who's Who, attached to the Broadway listing.