BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Actor Danny Roebuck, in a scene in his role as St. Nick in his new Christmas movie, makes an exclamation.
"I love this town!" Roebuck says in the movie, filmed entirely in the Lehigh Valley. He was referring to Bethlehem.
Roebuck, who plays the lead in "Saint Nick of Bethlehem" celebrated the film's release Sunday inside ArtsQuest's Frank Banko Alehouse Cinema.
The Hollywood star and Bethlehem native, was joined by nearly 30 families at the "Cookies and Cocoa with Saint Nick" event as part of a promotion of the faith-based movie.
Before the 90-minute film began, Roebuck, dressed fittingly as Santa Claus, met with eager children of all ages (some even sat on his lap), posed for selfies and signed autographs.
In the film, Roebuck stars as Nick McNulty, a former math teacher and grief-stricken father. His teenage son, Scotty, was killed by a drunken driver and McNulty's wife leaves him as a result.
'Cool' to see local sights
Eight-year-old Aiden Montero and his father, Anthony, had already watched the film (it made its debut at the Roxy Theatre in Northampton on Nov. 17) but came out Sunday to meet Roebuck in person.
Aiden and his sister Aliciana have cameos in one of the movie's last scenes, among a few filmed on Main Street, in front of Hotel Bethlehem.
"It was cool to the see the city and all the places we've been too."Anthony Montero
Anthony Montero said the movie is filled with recognizable sights, including the church where the family worships.
"It was cool to the see the city and all the places we've been too," he said. "The church we go to in Nazareth was in it for like 15 minutes and we didn't know that before we saw the movie."
It was Aiden who first pointed it out to his dad while watching the film for the first time — about 30 minutes before catching a glimpse of himself on the big screen.
"The only reason I knew that is because I saw the windows and the big stairs and then my dad finally realized because of the big statue on top of the church," Aiden said.
Witty jokes, tender moments
Roebuck wrote and co-directed "Saint Nick" with Spencer of Hard Faith Productions. Filming began in November 2023 and wrapped up this spring.
Along with Historic Main Street in Christmas City, the heartwarming movie — Roebuck's fourth filmed in the Lehigh Valley — features other notable spots such as Christkindlmarkt, Kiffle Kitchen Bakery in Bath and Alliance Fire Company in Northampton.
Roebuck announced he was making "Saint Nick" last winter as a cheeky response Hallmark Channel's "Miracle in Bethlehem, PA," which aired last December on the Hallmark Movies & Mysteries channel and was filmed in Winnipeg, Canada.
The new movie also stars Cathy Moriarty ("Raging Bull," "Soapdish," "Kindergarten Cop") as Roebuck's mom, Betty, and local actors Jennifer Porrata and Joey Oltman.
There were plenty of laughs heard during Sunday's showing and Moriarty and Roebuck's mother-and-son onscreen persona was full of witty banter.
"Saint Nick" also had its tender and tearful times. The movie explores themes of grief, hope and finding romance, albiet later in life.
In the film, Roebuck, in his 60s, reconnects with his high school sweetheart, Mary (actress Marsha Dietlein Bennett).
Mary, a traveling nurse who is home for the holidays, takes a job at St. Luke's Children Hospital, where Roebuck's character is thought to be Santa Claus by the young patients (he's got the beard, chuckle and charm, to boot).
Christmas wishes, showtimes
It was much of the same on Sunday as Roebuck, dressed in a red-and-white Santa suit, put his hand on 5-year-old Ben Williams's head and asked the young boy what he wanted for Christmas (it was a green toy dragon) while his sister, Samara, 14, laughed.
The family later were among those who clapped and cheered before the closing credits rolled and Roebuck, onscreen, said one last time, "I love Bethlehem!"
"It made me cry."An audience member at SteelStacks showing of "St. Nick of Bethlehem"
"It made me cry," said one attendee, while another remarked, "Did you see our house in the background?"
"Saint Nick of Bethlehem" will screen at Frank Banko Alehouse until Thursday, Dec. 5.
Showtimes are listed on the SteelStacks website.
Tickets are $11, $8.50 for ages 60 years and older and ages 25 and under, and $7.50 for ArtsQuest members. Matinee prices are $8.50 and $7.50 (ages 25 and under and seniors or $7 for ArtsQuest members.
Shankweiler's Drive-In has also teamed up with Roebuck to premiere the movie at 7 p.m. Dec. 5 and Dec. 6 and a special matinee screening at 5 p.m. Dec. 7 and Dec. 8.
"Wicked" will be shown after Roebuck's film as part of the drive-in's holiday feature.
