It’s been announced that Matthew Broderick will make his West End debut in Kenneth Lonergan’s THE STARRY MESSENGER, opening at the Wyndham’s Theatre this May.

THE STARRY MESSENGER is described as a bittersweet comic-drama playing Mark Williams, a man obsessed with the cosmos, whose life is is struck by unexpected catastrophe. Broderick first played the role in the play’s premiere Off-Broadway in 2009.

Broderick is best known to audiences for his performance in the 1985 John Hughes movie Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. He has since become a mainstay on the New York stage with his most iconic role arguably being his performance as Leo Bloom in the original Broadway cast of THE PRODUCERS, a role he later reprised in the 2005 film remake. Broderick’s most recent appearances on Broadway include revivals of SYLVIA and IT’S ONLY A PLAY.

THE STARRY MESSENGER will also star Elizabeth McGovern who is known for her Oscar-nominated performance in the 1981 film Ragtime, and her role as Cora Crawley in ITV’s Downton Abbey. On stage, McGovern’s credits include HURLYBURLY at The Old Vic, DINNER WITH FRIENDS at Hampstead Theatre, and most recently, Yazmina Reza’s GOD OF CARNAGE at Theatre Royal Bath in 2018.

Writer Kenneth Lonergan is best known for co-writing the screenplay for GANGS OF NEW YORK and his Oscar winning screenplay MANCHESTER BY THE SEA, a film he also received an Oscar-nomination for directing. Lonergan’s stage plays include THIS IS OUR YOUTH and LOBBY HERO, both of which have received Broadway revivals in recent years. Lonergan is currently represented on Broadway by a critically acclaimed revival of his 2000 Pulitzer Prize-nominated play, THE WAVERLY GALLERY.

THE STARRY MESSENGER will be directed by Sam Yates (GLENGARRY GLEN ROSS, THE PHLEBOTOMIST) and features set and costume design by Chiara Stephenson and sound and music by Alex Baranowski. Further casting for the play is to be announced.

THE STARRY MESSENGER opens at London’s Wyndham’s Theatre from 16th May and will tun to 10th August. Tickets are on sale now.