PRODIGAL SON is John Patrick Shanley’s autobiographical coming-of-age story of a 15 year old attending a private New Hampshire prep school in the 1960s. Jim is a restless and brilliant youth from a blue collar family in The Bronx who, after being expelled from yet another high school, receives a scholarship to the prestigious Thomas More Preparatory School. While Jim wrestles with his identity, Carl Schmitt, the headmaster, and Alan Hoffman, head of the English Department, are wrestling with what to do with their troubled new student. Is he a brilliant-though-troubled youth who, with the correct guidance, could do great things? Or, is he a lost cause that could tarnish the reputation of their illustrious school?