A world premiere rom-com starring Jason Alexander

A fresh new romantic comedy by John Patrick Shanley is set to land at the Manhatten Theatre Club this fall, with Tony-winning actor and Seinfeld star Jason Alexander starring. Taking the role of a downmarket Providence lawyer named Barry Dragonetti as he deals with a repeat widow whose husbands have an unfortunate knack for dying. Coming to him to help settle her latest spouse's affairs, the fireworks are ferocious, as she is determined to save as much cash as possible, much to Barry's blustering annoyance! Throw in his overbearing mother, contemporary politics and young love, and the laughs break through the roof!

WHAT TO EXPECT

John Patrick Shanley combines humor, current affairs and relationship dramas in this rib-tickingly funny comedy. His previous works include 2014's Outside Mullingar, which starred Debra Messing and Brian F. O'Byrne in a romantic drama set in rural Ireland. Tackling issues surrounding relationships and conflict is something of a forte for Shanley; his 2005 Tony and Pulitzer Prize-winning drama Doubt, a searing play about a priest that was adapted for a film starring Philip Seymour-Hoffman.

The Portuguese Kid received its first reading at MTC in 2016, with the-then cast comprising Alexander (who won the 1 989 Tony for "Jerome Robbins' Broadway"), Debra Messing, Andy Karl and Anna Camp. Further casting for the world premiere production is yet to be announced; stay tuned for more details as we get them.