ABC’s Arena Comedy

The world of venue management is about to get the Hollywood treatment with news of Matthew Perry’s upcoming comedy for ABC.

“Mr. Sunshine” will feature Perry as Ben Donovan, manager of San Diego’s Sunshine Center – a fictional second-tier arena.

Donovan is going through a mid-life crisis, lonely and self-absorbed, according to an Entertainment Weekly preview of the show, and audiences will presumably watch his character transition to less of a jerk over time.

Other cast members include Allison Janney as Perry’s wacky boss, Andrea Anders as the venue’s marketing director and Nate Torrance as Janney’s son.

The project was said to be highly sought after, sparking a bidding war among networks before ABC landed the comedy in late 2009.

It’s scheduled to debut Feb. 9.