New York, April 22, 2009 – After setting his last several movies in Europe, that quintessential neurotic New Yorker Woody Allen has come home, both literally and figuratively, for his newest, Whatever Works.  This movie is set in New York again, and Mr. Allen debuted it as the opening feature of the 2009 Tribeca Film Festival.  Moreover, Allen appeared at the premiere at the Ziegfeld theater; he is known to shun red-carpet appearances. 

Larry David and Evan Rachel Wood star, and Patricia Clarkson, who was also in Allen’s last effort, Vicky Cristina Barcelona, returns.  (However, the prolific director isn’t putting down professional roots in the Big Apple – his next flick is reportedly slated to shoot in London.) 

Woody wasn’t the only surprise on the red carpet.  An eclectic group of guests included Uma Thurman, Debra Messing, Melissa Leo and Mary-Kate Olsen and Tribeca Film Festival honchos Robert De Niro and Jane Rosenthal.

Additional photos by Joy E. Scheller