Renowned comedian and writer Dan Perlman has wrapped up the NYC shoot for his feature directorial debut, an untitled coming-of-age comedy. This highly anticipated film marks a significant milestone in Perlman’s career, showcasing his growth as a storyteller and director.

A Unique Coming-of-Age Story

The movie follows two desperate eighth-grade students, played by Romo Lee (The Kindergarten Teacher) and Lucas Adler (The Plague), who recruit a group of misfits to help them shut down their elite NYC prep school. The story is an adaptation of Perlman’s award-winning short, Cramming, with a new plot.

Perlman’s vision is to create a film that blends the tone of Ferris Bueller’s Day Off and the wit of Election. The movie’s cast includes a talented ensemble of stand-up comedians, including Maria Bamford (Lady Dynamite), Gary Gulman (The Great Depresh), Jamie Lee (Ted Lasso), Sean Patton (English Teacher), and Yamaneika Saunders (Life & Beth), along with Tony winner Laura Benanti (The Gilded Age) and Connie Shi (Law & Order).

Perlman directed the film from his own script, working with a talented team of producers, including Lucien Formichella and Charlotte Gilbert, alongside exec producers Amer Hilal and Perlman. The project received support from Rooftop Films’ Filmmakers Fund and was selected for The Gotham’s Project Market as part of Gotham Week’s Shorts to Features track.

The cast also includes Jorie Blake Rosen, Matthew James Herman, Charlie Emerson, Vaughan Reilly, Sarah Mattle, Lissa Carandang-Sweeney, Ruby Karp, Napoleon Emill, Adam Gilbert, Tommy Bayer, and Greer Barnes. Lee’s only major prior credit is Netflix’s drama The Kindergarten Teacher starring Maggie Gyllenhaal, while Adler has previously been seen in Charlie Polinger’s Cannes-premiering award-winner The Plague.

Perlman’s Rise to Prominence

Perlman co-created the critically acclaimed comedy series Flatbush Misdemeanors with Kevin Iso, also writing and starring in the series. The show held a rare 100% Rotten Tomatoes rating across its two-season run, adapting from Perlman’s prior zero-budget, Oscar-qualified digital short. Other credits include the shorts Practice Space and No Sex, with the latter having over 4 million views on YouTube.

Perlman has also directed and starred in the award-winning documentary short Being Bublé. As a stand-up comedian, he has been featured on Comedy Central and is represented by CAA and Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz.

Casting and Representation

The film’s cast is represented by various talent agencies, including Omnipop Talent Group, Gersh, and CAA. Perlman’s co-stars, including Bamford, Gulman, and Saunders, are also represented by top talent agencies, showcasing the industry’s recognition of their talents.

This highly anticipated coming-of-age comedy promises to deliver a unique blend of humor, wit, and heart, making it a must-watch for comedy fans and newcomers alike.