Lacey Chabert and Warren Christie star in The Color of Rain
The Color of Rain
Next week the Hallmark Movie, The Color of Rain, premiere party welcomes Lacey Chabert and Warren Christie to the Emagine Theater in Royal Oak. The two actors star in the movie, based on the book of the same name. The film tells the story of two Rochester Area families coping with the tragedy of cancer.
Released in 2011 and co-authored by Michael and Gina Spehn, the book is a true story of “faith, hope and love.” Gina lost her husband, Matt Kell, to cancer on Christmas Day 2005. Matt’s childhood friend, Cathy, passes away just six weeks later, also due to cancer, and leaves her husband Michael with same feeling of hopelessness Gina has been experiencing.
Both struck with grief and young children to care for, Gina and Michael forge a friendship. Their children bond and healing begins. Tears and obstacles turn to laughter and compassion; and through faith, the two discover love again.
Lacey Chabert and Warren Christie play Gina Kell and Michael Spehn in The Color of Rain
Stars of the Movie come to Michigan
Lacey Chabert, known for her roles in Party of Five and Mean Girls, plays Gina. “I’m honored to tell their story and I want them to feel proud and happy with what we have done,” said Chabert, “I definitely feel a bit more responsibility (than I do on a normal set) to do my best. You wouldn’t wish this awful loss on anyone—to lose your spouse, the father and the mother of your children. What I love about this story is that it is 100 percent true and it did happen. We’ve gotten to meet and spend time with this lovely family. Hope and faith are just so important and will get you through things you’d never imagine you would have to suffer through. You are guaranteed to feel uplifted at the end.”
Warren Christie, of television series such as Alphas and True Justice, takes on the role of Michael. Both stars will be at the sold out premiere party on May 15. The Color of Rain will air on the Hallmark Movie Channel on May 31, 2014, at 9:00 p.m.
The Hallmark Movie Channel airs on these channel numbers in the Rochester Area:
Comcast Customers: 177 DIRECTV: 565 Dish Network: 187 WOW Customers: 071
Michael and Gina on set with Lacey and Warren
New Day Foundation
Living through this situation, Michael and Gina saw a need to help families facing similar life changing events that lead to emotional pain and financial burdens.
Their non-profit organization, established in 2007, The New Day Foundation for Families has raised more than $750,000 to benefit families with all types of cancer. New Day has substantially helped more than 150 families, totaling more than 500 people, with financial and emotional support. The Families First program is a customized program that helps alleviate financial pressures faced by cancer families. With 66% of all bankruptcies in the US caused by medical bills, this program is critical. Qualified applicants receive help for a period of two to six months in a variety of areas including mortgage/rent, utilities, insurance, home maintenance, counseling, school expenses, childcare, cleaning services and more. Please visit www.foundationforfamilies.org for more information.
Photos are courtesy of The Color of Rain prodution
About Michael Dwyer