Introduction
Picture this: A sitcom star known for quips and quick wit steps onto the bright lights of Broadway, holding her own against a two-time Tony winner. That’s exactly what Cobie Smulders did in 2017, trading Marvel sets for the St. James Theatre stage. If you’re a fan curious about her theatre side or just love stories of bold reinventions, this deep dive into her Broadway journey delivers. We’ll unpack her debut, the challenges, the cheers, and why that one role still echoes today – all in under 2,000 words of stage-side scoop.
Roots in the Spotlight: From Screen to Stage Dreams
Cobie Smulders didn’t wake up one day and decide on Broadway – her path wound through high school plays and a nagging pull toward live performance. Growing up in Vancouver, she starred in theater at Lord Byng Secondary School, where the rush of live audiences hooked her early. But modeling gigs and TV roles like How I Met Your Mother kept her camera-bound for years.
By 2010, she dipped her toes into New York theater with an off-Broadway stint in Nora Ephron’s Love, Loss, and What I Wore at the Westside Theatre. Running just two weeks from June 10 to 26, it was a rotation of female monologues – think ensemble storytelling with heart and humor. Critics noted her natural ease in the intimate space, a far cry from blockbuster filming. This gig planted the seed: Stage work let her connect directly, no edits needed.
The Big Leap: Landing Present Laughter on Broadway
Audition Nerves and Casting Magic
Fast-forward to 2016: Cobie auditioned for a revival of Noël Coward’s 1939 comedy Present Laughter, directed by Morosco Theatre vet Jack O’Brien. She snagged the role of Joanna Lyppiatt, the bold, flirtatious neighbor who stirs chaos in actor Garry Essendine’s life. Opposite? Kevin Kline as Garry – a dream matchup for any newcomer.
In a 2017 Time Out interview, Cobie admitted the thrill mixed with terror: “I keep fooling people into giving me jobs, and now I’m on Broadway. It’s always something I’ve wanted to be a part of.” Rehearsals were intense – she prepped by diving into Coward’s wit, channeling Joanna’s unapologetic allure. “She goes after what she wants and has no fear,” Cobie told The Hollywood Reporter, mirroring her own career pivot.
The show opened April 5, 2017, at the St. James Theatre, running through July 2 – a solid 100+ performances amid mixed reviews for the production but raves for the cast.
Bringing Joanna to Life: Character Deep Dive
Joanna isn’t your typical ingénue – she’s a “strong, modern woman” who crashes into Garry’s midlife crisis with sharp banter and zero regrets. Cobie infused the role with her signature blend of vulnerability and fire, drawing from Robin Scherbatsky’s independence but amping up the seduction.
Key scenes? Her entrance in Act 1, where Joanna ambushes Garry in his flat, sparking comic mayhem. Cobie nailed the timing, earning laughs for lines like her brazen propositions. Co-stars like Kate Burton (as Liz) and Kristine Nielsen (as Monica) praised her quick study – she was the fresh energy keeping veterans on their toes.
Bullet-point breakdown of Joanna’s arc:
- Flirt to Firestorm: Starts as comic relief, escalates to emotional grenade.
- Thematic Tie-In: Echoes Coward’s themes of fame’s folly – Cobie related, post-HIMYM fame.
- Signature Moment: The bedroom farce twist, where her boldness flips the script on Garry’s ego.
Behind the Curtain: Challenges and Joys of Broadway Life
Transitioning from screen to stage? No small feat. Cobie juggled eight shows a week while pregnant with her second child – talk about stamina! She credited the cast’s support, including Kline’s mentorship: “Kevin’s a master class in itself,” she shared in a Broadway’s Best chat.
Physically, it was grueling – heels, projections, no retakes. But the highs? That electric audience feedback. “Finally living in NYC” during previews let her soak in the city’s theater pulse, from street hot dogs to after-parties.
Offstage, she bonded with the ensemble: Reg Rogers as the manic manager Morris, Matt Bittner as the unflappable valet Fred. Their banter mirrored the script’s frenzy, fostering a family vibe amid the frenzy.
Actionable takeaway for aspiring actors: Channel Cobie’s prep routine – read the full play aloud daily and tape monologues to nail timing. Pro tip: Partner with a scene buddy for cold reads.
Critical Acclaim and Awards Spotlight
The production divided critics – some called it “handsome but harmless,” per The New York Times, but Cobie’s turn? A standout. TheaterMania dubbed her debut “a revelation,” praising how she “brought fresh fire to a classic.” Her poise earned the 2017 Theatre World Award for Outstanding Broadway Debut, a nod to emerging talents.
Kline snagged a Tony for Best Actor in a Play, but Cobie’s shine amplified the revival’s buzz. The filmed version for PBS’s Great Performances (aired November 2017) immortalized it, reaching millions beyond the Great White Way.
Numbered list of standout reviews:
- Variety: “Smulders slinks through Joanna with sly charm.”
- The Hollywood Reporter: “A star-making turn for the TV vet.”
- Playbill: “Effortless comic timing that steals scenes.”
Legacy: Why Present Laughter Still Matters – And What’s Next?
Cobie’s Broadway bow wasn’t just a checkbox – it proved her range, bridging sitcom laughs and superhero grit to live theater’s raw edge. At 35, she showed late-blooming stage stars are timeless. Post-curtain, she told TheaterMania in her final bow: “Broadway met me here, and I’ll carry it forever.”
No new Broadway gigs as of October 2025 – her plate’s full with TV like Shrinking and voice work in Super Team Canada. But fans spot her at shows: She and hubby Taran Killam cheered Stereophonic in 2024 and Appropriate in 2023. Whispers of future stages persist; she’s vocal about loving the form.
In Canada, her debut boosted homegrown pride – The Canadian Encyclopedia hails it as a milestone for Vancouver exports. For theater lovers, it’s a reminder: One role can redefine a career.
Cobie Smulders’ Broadway chapter, though brief, sparkles with wit and warmth – much like Coward intended. Craving more? Stream the PBS version on pbs.org or snag tickets to a revival someday. What’s your take on her Joanna? Drop it in the comments – let’s chat stage magic.
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