Full Cast and Crew Announced for Chicago Feature Now Filming

Santa is coming to town and he’s playing matchmaker. The Christmas Pitch, produced by Illinois production and distribution company, Questar Entertainment, is currently filming in Chicago and surrounding suburbs. The feature began filming on April 14th, in the Downtown Loop district at Franklin and Madison, and will be making its way through the Chicagoland suburbs, including Oak Park, Evanston, and Glen Ellyn, over the next week. Shooting is scheduled to wrap on May 3rd.

The cast and crew are bringing the Christmas spirit with them. Leads Joseph Morales, who assumed Lin-Manuel Miranda’s role of Alexander Hamilton for the Chicago run and national tour, and Alexa Maria Huerta (The Chi, Shameless) are joined by a diverse cast and crew. Among them are Debo Belogun, whose on-screen credits include a stint as “Paramedic Darren Clark” on Chicago Med, young newcomer Ramona Edith Williams, who stole festivalgoers hearts across the globe with her performance in Independent Spirit Award Nominee Saint Frances, and Sean Blake, playing Mr. Kriss aka Santa Claus.

The Christmas Pitch follows William and Becca, two executives at a big-time marketing firm in Chicago, who are sent to William’s hometown of Kringle Lake to rediscover the spirit of Christmas. While there, William’s brother’s bakery is forced to close its doors. William and Becca work together on a plan to save the bakery, and in doing so, they find the Christmas spirit, and more, in each other. 

“Oh, this cast and crew is absolutely stellar. We are working so, so hard and having just the best time. It’s a real treat to create Christmas in April,” said director, Layne Marie Williams (Scutly, Blanche).

Producer Felicia Ferrara has assembled a talented Chicago team, led by Executive Producer Jonathan Plowman and Line Producer Eva Herndon. Director of Photography Daniel Izui (Annabel) is joined by 1st AD Stuart Elmore, 2nd AD Ang Gardner, and Art Designer Kerri Lyn Walsh, whose recent Art Department credits include Jennifer Reeder’s critically acclaimed feature Knives and Skin. Brian Naughton will edit the holiday fare, assisted by Jello Thompson. Costume Designer Noël Huntzinger is a mainstay of Chicago’s esteemed theatre community, serving as Artistic Associate at Sideshow Theatre Company, and designing productions for the renowned Goodman Theatre.

The supporting cast has also taken shape, peppered with standouts in the Chicago film and theatre scene. Joe Yau (The Chi, Electric Dreams, Betrayal), Chandra Michaels (Dynasty, Chicago Fire), Carly Glenn, and Brandon Rodriguez highlight the roster.

The Christmas Pitch is set for distribution by Questar Entertainment for the 2021 holiday season. “The Christmas Pitch stands out as a perfect blend of romance, comedy, and Christmas nostalgia,” Josh da Silva, VP of Questar Entertainment, told SCREEN. “Questar has been in the family television and film business for 35 years. We know want audiences want – it’s a dream to not only distribute it, but now produce it with amazing local talent in Chicago.”