Ex-brat packer Judd Nelson, remembered for ’80s films The Breakfast Club and St. Elmo’s Fire stars in the Wang Center production of ‘He She Them’ at the Shubert Theater. Tasha Lawrence joins the New England native in the 2-person cast of this new romantic drama.

This world premiere performance of ‘He She Them’ is basically a homegrown production. In addition to Nelson, writer Irwin M. Heller lives in Boston and is a Wang Center trustee. The Center selected this play from one of a series of staged readings and tapped its own director in residence, Steven Maler, to direct.

Nelson, who some might know from his more recent foray into sitcom television on NBC’s ‘Suddenly Susan,’ retains his good looks, tempered by a measure of maturity. He easily slides into his role as Daniel, a high-powered Boston real estate developer. Daniel has achieved professional success in his 46 years and is looking for the perfect woman to share his life with. He thinks he’s found that in Lyla (Lawrence), a 30-something architect assigned to one of his projects.

Lyla and Daniel seem perfect for each other. They’re both smart, driven and have a great rapport. They have also fallen very much in love and Daniel wants to settle down. The problem? Lyla is already married.

‘He She Them’ is told through a series of flashbacks that re-enact how a happily married woman becomes involved in an illicit affair. Lyla has a comfortable life. Her husband is attentive and together they have a two-year old. While Daniel is overdue for a serious relationship, Lyla appears to be the least likely to stray from her comfortable situation.

Through her interaction with Daniel and several asides to the audience, we see she’s not as content as her situation suggests. Though wholly in love with Daniel, Lyla grapples with the difficult decision to uproot her comfortable life for a one-in-a-million chance to be with her soulmate.

The play opens with Lyla and Daniel addressing the audience in almost interactive dialogue. Heller continues to have his characters address the audience throughout but never again has them sit down and do it as conversationally as they do in the first scenes. Though consistency is sacrificed, the later asides prove to be highlights when Nelson injects a little humor. With winking connections to the audience, Nelson’s humor balances the heightened drama of romantic tension that pervades ‘He She Them.’

For this intimate production, director Maler tries a new configuration of the Shubert. To simulate a smaller, black box-style experience in the expansive theater space, the stage is built over the orchestra pit, projecting the players out of the proscenium and closer to the audience. An illuminated back wall confines the action in front of what would normally be the curtain line.

This stage-forward arrangement allows Nelson and Lawrence to interact more closely with the audience. Their gestures and expressions are played more subtly than would be possible if the actors were playing to the mezzanine and balcony, which the Wang Center promises to keep closed for this production. Still, the 700-person orchestra seating area belies the full intimacy suited to this piece.

‘He She Them’ would probably work better in a smaller theater space. But strong performances by Nelson and Lawrence carry a thoughtful play about a love affair and its consequences.

‘He She Them’ is now playing at the Shubert Theater, 265 Tremont St., Tuesdays through Fridays at 8p.m., Saturdays at 2p.m. and 8p.m. and Sundays at 1p.m. ‘ 7p.m. through Oct. 12.