While Christmas inches closer, Hallmark is ready to celebrate the beginning of Hanukkah on Sunday, December 14, with the premiere of their new movie, “Oy to the World.”
Starring Brooke D’Orsay and Jake Epstein as former high school rivals, the now-adult pair end up as choir directors who have to work together during the holidays.
A part of Hallmark’s Countdown to Christmas, “Oy to the World” can be enjoyed with other Hanukkah-related movies from past years like “Hanukkah on the Rocks,” “Double Holiday” and “Eight Gifts of Hanukkah.”
As for “Oy to the World,” it premieres Sunday, December 14, at 8 p.m. ET on Hallmark Channel or it can be streamed the next day on Hallmark+.
What Is ‘Oy to the World’ About?
While a Christmas and Hanukkah combination — plus a movie starring Jake Epstein and Brooke D’Orsay — might be enough to make you want to check out “Oy to the World,” you might also be interested to find out what the story is all about.
Parade explains that an emergency pops up when water lines break at Temple Beth Am, leaving its members unable to celebrate Hanakkah at the temple. Instead, they head across the street to St. Joseph’s Episcopal Church which has invited its neighbors to celebrate the holidays together. Beyond that, “with the last night of Hanukkah and Christmas Eve falling on the same day—something that rarely happens—the reverend and rabbi decide to offer a joint service for their congregations.”
Because of this, Temple Beth Am’s substitute choir director Jake Cohen (Epstein) and St. Joseph’s Youth Choir Director Nikki Roberts (D’Orsay) need to work together on a music program for the event. However, as we mentioned, these two have a history as they happened to be high school rivals.
“To lead a successful fundraising effort for the temple, Nikki and Jake have to put aside their differences and learn how to work together,” according to Parade. “In doing so, they discover teamwork can move mountains and open hearts—including their own. Will Nikki and Jake find a way to unite people through the power of song and prove that coming together is the best way for everyone to celebrate the holiday season?”
Where Else You’ve Seen Jake Epstein & Brooke D’Orsay
GettyWhile you’ll get to know Epstein as Jake (which, yes, is his real name) and Brooke as Nikki in “Oy to the World,” you might recognize the performers from their past roles.
Epstein has appeared in Hallmark’s “The Wedding Contract,” “Mistletoe Murders” and “Eight Gifts of Hanukkah.” Beyond that, he’s popped up in “The Umbrella Academy,” “Designated Survivor” and “Suits.” You might even remember him from “Degrassi: The Next Generation.”
As for D’Orsay, Hallmark fans may have seen her in “How to Fall in Love,” “A Not So Royal Christmas” and “A Dickens of a Holiday!” When it comes to her non-Hallmark work, she’s appeared on “Two and a Half Men” and in “Drop Dead Diva.”
Of course, we’re sure “Oy to the World” will be among your new favorites when it comes to the work of these two stars.
