The pivotal film Somewhere In Queens debuted in June 2022 at the Tribeca Film Festival. When it premiered, it thrust its writer, director, and star Ray Romano into uncharted waters. The former Everybody Loves Raymond star was hesitant (and, in his words, pessimistic) at the thought of transitioning into serious, dramatic roles.

In a 2022 Variety interview, Romano explained his perspective on entering into the new project, stating:

This heartfelt comedy tells a story that includes many facets of not only Ray Romano’s life but the lives of many who lived, worked, and identified with the larger Queens community. Additionally, it tells the story of a loving family with complex (yet comedic) dynamics at play, something every audience member can relate to. After six years of development and a successful film festival debut, Somewhere In Queens is coming to the big screen. Here’s everything we know.

“When ‘Raymond’ was over, I got offered other sitcoms, but I didn’t want to do that. I didn’t want to follow what we had just done. I wanted that to be my sitcom legacy, and I wanted to test the dramatic waters somewhat. I didn’t need to go into anything heavy or intense, but I liked the idea of doing something different.”

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Somewhere In Queens: The Plot

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For Romano, this story is deeply personal. It tells the story of a middle-class family in Queens struggling to navigate their identities as individuals, a family, and as a member of the community. The story is reminiscent of Romano’s own story. He grew up in Forest Hills, a small Queens, New York neighborhood. The neighborhood is one of many that became known for both its deeply diverse population and its emphasis on community identity.

Romano defined it to the New York Post:

Romano has retained his Forest Hills identity since leaving the neighborhood to pursue comedy and, eventually, television roles. He collaborated with the Queens Chamber of Commerce in a video tribute to the workers and “frontline heroes” that served Queens residents during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, titled “Queens Rising.” In the tribute video, Romano says, “No matter where you are – Sunnyside, Astoria, my hometown Forst Hills, Jamaica, the Rockaways, let’s all do what we all do best, what I know Queens does best, and that is support each other.”

“I grew up in a neighborhood where you knew your neighbor, you knew the guys on this block, you didn’t like the guys on the other block, and everyone met at the school yard.”

In an article about the acquisition of Somewhere In Queens, Deadline offered this summary of the film:

Somewhere In Queens: The Cast and Crew

Somewhere In Queens stars Ray Romano (Everybody Loves Raymond, The Irishman, The Big Sick), Jennifer Esposito (Awkwafina Is Nora from Queens, The Boys, NCIS), Laurie Metcalf (Lady Bird, Roseanne), Sadie Stanley (Cruel Summer, The Goldbergs), Tony Lo Bianco (The French Connection, Nixon), Karen Lynn Gorney (First One In, Clifford the Big Red Dog), and Sebastian Maniscalco (Green Book, The Irishman).

“In the film, Leo Russo (Romano) lives a simple life in Queens, New York with his wife Angela (Laurie Metcalf), their shy but talented son “Sticks” (Jacob Ward), and Leo’s close-knit network of Italian-American relatives and neighborhood friends. Happy enough working at the family construction business alongside his father (Tony Lo Bianco) and younger brother (Sebastian Maniscalco), Leo lives each week for Sticks’ high-school basketball games, never missing a chance to cheer on his only child as he rules the court as a star athlete. When the high-school senior gets a surprising and life-changing opportunity to play basketball in college, Leo jumps at the chance to provide a plan for his future, away from the family construction business. But when sudden heartbreak threatens to derail Sticks, Leo goes to unexpected lengths to keep his son on this new path.”

This marks the directorial debut of Romano. It is written by Mark Stegemann and Ray Romano. It is produced by Albert Berger, and Ron Yerxa (Little Miss Sunshine, Nebraska) alongside writers Romano and Stegemann.

Release Date

While there isn’t an official release date yet, Lionsgate and Roadside Attractions have confirmed a 2023 theatrical release. Early theater postings and outlined schedules from the distribution studios suggest a probable April 2023 release date.

Somewhere In Queens: Everything Else

Lionsgate and Roadside Attractions recently acquired the film for theatrical release and distribution. Eda Kowan (Lionsgate’s EVP of Acquisitions & Co-Productions) expanded upon the studios’ decision to distribute the film in the Deadline article, stating:

“Ray Romano has delivered an outstanding directorial debut, creating a vibrant family tapestry that is immediately relatable and heartfelt. We are very proud to be distributing the film with our partners at Roadside and feel it will really connect with audiences.”