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Photo by Jeffrey T. Barnes |
Matthew Mesler
as Nicholas of Myra |
Film and television actor Matthew Mesler will star as the legendary Fourth Century saint named Nicholas. After being featured in the role of James Lowell on the television series Dawson's Creek and numerous other independent film roles, Matthew received critical praise for his starring role in the short film Tiny Magic that recently aired on PBS. |
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His engaging performance is what caught the attention of Nicholas of Myra Writer and Director Jerry Hartke, who immediately offered Matthew the role of Nicholas. "Of all of the main characters in the film, I had yet to cast the title role and we had already begun second-unit photography," said Hartke. "It had been a six month search, and I began to doubt whether I'd be able to find a Western New York actor who would be everything I'd hoped for in the iconic role." |
Photo by Jeffrey T. Barnes |
It was then that Buffalo-Niagara Film Commission board member Jennifer Koch Gibson insisted the Director take a look at a well made film-short that premiered at her Buffalo Summer Institute In Writing & Media Production. "Jen was aware that I wanted a Mediterranean look for the part of Nicholas," Hartke said. "Still, she suggested I consider the lead actor from the film Tiny Magic and that he would be willing to transform his appearance for the role of Nicholas. I knew Jen had good instincts regarding talent, so I watched the film. It was three days before Christmas and roughly three years since I began writing the story... I had finally found St. Nicholas." |
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