Tony Award-winning director John Rando (Urinetown) will direct De Guzman (Guys and Dolls, West Side Story) opposite Alley veteran James Black (Our Town, The Farnsworth Invention) in the two-hander. Performances are Jan. 29-Feb. 28 on the Neuhaus Stage. An official opening night has been set for Feb. 3.

Miss Mannerly, according to press notes, "conjures up the world of a seven-year-old studying manners from the title character. Mrs. Mannerly is a demanding teacher, and no student in her 36 years of etiquette classes has achieved a perfect score. But when he discovers her secret past, Young Jeffrey is determined to be the first. This unique comic tale reveals truths about the face we present and real selves that lie inside."

The Alley production will have scenic and lighting design by Kevin Rigdon, costume design by Blaire Gulledge, sound design by Tim Thompson and dramaturg Lauren Halvorsen.

Hatcher is the playwright of Tuesdays with Morrie and has penned adaptations of The Servant of Two Masters, The Turn of the Screw and Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, as well as the books to the musicals Ella and Never Gonna Dance.

For tickets visit AlleyTheatre or call (713) 220-5700. The Alley Theatre is located at 615 Texas Avenue in Houston, TX.