Shanley (who handles libretto and lyrics) stages the world premiere work for the Manhattan Theatre Club at New York City Center Stage I. Romantic Poetry is billed as a "crackpot musical romance," according to MTC. "Connie of Woodmere has just married Fred of Newark, but her exes are back in the picture and not sure they approve of the union. Mary of Greenpoint climbs Frankie of Little Italy's fire escape with amorous erotic intent — but things go awry as she reaches for her dream. They are all mad and they are all sane and they are all creating Romantic Poetry."
The cast includes Jeb Brown, Jerry Dixon, Ivan Hernandez, Mark Linn-Baker, Patina Renea Miller and Emily Swallow.
Here is a look at the show:
All photos by Joan Marcus.