NEW YORK ~ Woody Allen will reclaim his New York roots next month with the premiere of his comedy film Whatever Works on the opening night of the city’s Tribeca Film Festival.

The festival and Sony Pictures Classics said the film, which like Allen’s earlier and most enduring movies is set in the Big Apple, would have its world premiere as the opening-night film on April 22.

Whatever Works, starring Larry David, Evan Rachel Wood, Patricia Clarkson, and Ed Begley Jr, is Allen’s first shot in New York since 2004.

“A lovely idea of showing my film in a film festival in my own city. It’s very exciting,” Allen said.

Tribeca Film Festival co-founder Jane Rosenthal described Whatever Works as a “uniquely funny addition to his body of work.”

Critics say Allen found some return to form after a long slump with his last film, which was set in Spain, Vicky Cristina Barcelona.

His next film will be shot in London, with stars including Spanish actor Antonio Banderas and India’s Slumdog Millionaire starlet