Hoffman Makes Film Directing Debut with Jack Goes Boating

Bob Glaudini’s acclaimed Jack Goes Boating, which was produced by the LAByrinth Theater Company during 2007, is setting sail for the big screen, with filming set to begin in Brooklyn on February 9. Original cast members and Broadway alums Philip Seymour Hoffman, Daphne Rubin-Vega and John Ortiz will reprise their stage roles for the flick, while Hoffman will make his directorial debut as helmer of the project.

New to Jack is stage and screen veteran Amy Ryan, who will join the show’s original cast members in the quirky romantic comedy about two misfits navigating the joy, distractions and pitfalls of New York City.

The LAB where Hoffman and Ortiz are co-artistic directors production of Jack Goes Boating originally opened off-Broadway on March 18, 2007, nabbing numerous Lortel, Outer Critics Circle and Drama Desk Award nominations before closing on April 29, 2007.

The stage to screen adaptation marks the first deal between Hoffman’s production company, Cooper’s Town, which will produce the picture, and Overture Films, currently represented in theaters by Last Chance Harvey. Indie regular Beth O’Neil and Marc Tutletaub will also produce, with Hoffman and Ortiz serving as executive producers. Peter Saraf’s Big Beach is co-financing the project.

The film is yet another adaptation for Hoffman, who stars in the currently running big-screen version of Tony Award-winning play Doubt.