Cheryl Hines to Star in Midway Film's PASADENA

Graham Ballou, producer and partner at Los Angeles-based Midway Films, announced lead casting today for its feature PASADENA, written and to be directed by Will Slocombe (CRIME FICTION, MULLIGAN, "Reception"). This is Slocombe's third feature as a director, his first produced screenwriting credit. Production on the film begins in early May.

Peter Bogdanovich ("The Sopranos," BROKEN ENGLISH, dir. LAST PICTURE SHOW) has been cast in the role of Poppy Turner, with Cheryl Hines ("Curb Your Enthusiasm," "Suburgatory") joining him as his second wife, Deborah. Alicia Witt ("Friday Night Lights," "Cybill") will play Poppy's daughter, and Ashton Holmes ("Revenge," A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE) Poppy and Deborah's son. Also cast are Sonya Walger ("FlashForward," "Lost") and Amy Ferguson (THE MASTER, SOCIAL NETWORK).

Set in present-day Pasadena, the film centers on the eccentric Turner clan, an upper-class family torn apart by secrets revealed over a Thanksgiving weekend. Patriarch Poppy (Bogdanovich) has invited his black sheep daughter Nina (Witt) home for the holiday - her first visit in 15 years. Nina immediately clashes with stepmother Deborah (Hines), and competes with her siblings (Holmes and Walger) for Poppy's affection - and money. Over three days, the family gradually disintegrates over who will get Poppy's money - only to discover he's broke.

Producer Graham Ballou said: "We're thrilled by the response Will's script has garnered - we've assembled a cast of incredible talent, and can't wait to bring this story to life."

Will Slocombe, who wrote the loosely autobiographical script, calls it "King Lear at Thanksgiving. But funny. We're shooting in a beautiful mid-century home, the perfect setting for a 1% family like this to fall apart. On the surface, everyone is calm and successful. But, as the weekend drags on, they peel away the layers to get at each other's raw nerves. It's the kind of emotional terrorism that only families can inflict on one another."

PASADENA is produced by Graham Ballou of Midway Films (CRIME FICTION, MULLIGAN, "Reception") and David Mandel (DRIFT, MULLIGAN), with co-producer Kimberly Burnick (FUTURE WEATHER) and casting director Paul Ruddy.