Abhiroop Das
In Hallmark‘s ‘Oy to the World!,’ Nikki Roberts, the youth choir director at St. Joseph’s Episcopal Church, wakes up to absolute chaos one Christmas season. There has been a pipe burst at the neighboring Temple Beth Am synagogue, and Nikki’s church offers help. However, this comes with a twist, as the substitute youth choir director there is none other than Jake Cohen, her childhood rival. As their musical battle gets a second life, competitiveness comes in the way of the harmony they both preach through their songs. Relief comes in the form of the festive season, as both the church and the synagogue are tasked with preparing a music program that speaks directly to the soul. Thus, in this holiday romance drama movie, the setting itself is baked into the premise, leading to a layered portrayal of family, faith, and community.
Oy to the World! Filming Locations
‘Oy to the World!’ was lensed in its entirety in British Columbia, particularly in the city of Kelowna. According to reports, filming began in late July 2025 and continued for a few weeks before wrapping up around mid-August of the same year. The Hallmark production likely relied on minimal set work, with most of the shooting taking place on-site.
Kelowna, British Columbia
Filming for ‘Oy to the World!’ took place in the city of Kelowna, in the south of British Columbia. Resting on top of the Okanagan Lake, this city is a natural haven, in no small part due to its abundance of provincial parks, orchards, and forest landscapes. For the Hallmark movie, the crew took over the Okanagan Jewish Community Centre, which is located at the Beth Shalom Congregation, 102 Snowsell Road North, in Kelowna. Given that the story is about a youth choir director bringing together her team for a perfect performance, it is likely that the community centre was transformed into a setting for the narrative. Talents from the local Jewish community also participated as extras, further grounding the production in reality.
Residents of Kelowna reportedly spotted the film crew in early August 2025, with the names of Ellis Street and Doyle Avenue coming up as probable filming locations. Notably, this is not the first time Hallmark has set up camp in Orchard City, as the place’s unique geography has been featured in several movies over the years. ‘Raise a Glass to Love,’ ‘Our Holiday Story,’ ‘Checkin’ It Twice,’ and ‘The Christmas Cup‘ are among the many Hallmark titles that share the filming location with ‘Oy to the World!’ To achieve the dreamy Christmas look, the creative team likely made use of the entire spectrum of what the city has to offer, ranging from its snowy hills to its iconic Waterfront Park, located at 1200 Water Street.
Oy to the World! Cast Details
Actor Brooke D’Orsay headlines ‘Oy to the World!,’ with Jake Epstein and David Julian Hirsh playing a key role in the narrative. In addition to being an exceptional screen presence, D’Orsay is also an accomplished voice actor and stunt performer. Similarly, Jake Epstein is also a renowned singer and theatre artist, and his accumulated skills span a range of acting roles. Alongside being a skilled actor, David Julian Hirsh has also served as the producer for ‘Making Times Square’ and producer-writer for ‘Camp Hollywood.’
Brooke D’Orsay as Nikki Roberts
Hallmark veteran Brooke D’Orsay takes the lead in ‘Oy to the World!,’ stepping into the role of Nikki Roberts, the youth choir director tasked with assembling her music team amidst a series of obstacles. Following minor appearances in shows such as ‘Doc’ and ‘Soul Food,’ D’Orsay found her big break with the iconic animated show, ‘6teen,’ where she essays Caitlin Cooke. The actor is also famous for her work in hit titles such as ‘Two and a Half Men,’ ‘Drop Dead Diva,’ and ‘Royal Pain,’ where she plays Kate, Deb Dobkins, and Paige Collins, respectively. From her Hallmark catalogue, D’Orsay is perhaps best known for stepping into the role of Holly Khun in ‘Miss Christmas.’ Her other celebrated works include ‘Beverly Hills Wedding,’ ‘A Fabled Holiday,’ and ‘Crimes of Fashion: Killer Clutch.’
Jake Epstein as Jake Cohen
Actor Jake Epstein dons the garb of Jake Cohen, a substitute choir director and Nikki’s high school musical rival. An accomplished actor, singer, and thespian, Jake is perhaps best known for essaying the role of Craig Manning in ‘Degrassi: The Next Generation’ and many of its sequels. Additionally, Jake is famous for his memorable performances in a number of hit titles, such as ‘The Zach Files,’ ‘Designated Survivor,’ ‘Suits,’ and ‘Hardy Boys,’ where he plays Cam Dunleavy, Chuck Russink, Brian Altman, and Adrian Munder, respectively. As a theatre artist, Jake is known for originating the role of Gerry Goffin in ‘Beautiful: The Carole King Musical,’ and for playing Jack Ludwig in ‘Dear Jack, Dear Louise.’ Within the Hallmark fold, Jake’s credits include the ‘Unwrapping Christmas’ and the ‘Hearts Around the Table‘ series.
David Julian Hirsh as Rabbi Levi Cohen
Actor David Julian Hirsh portrays Rabbi Levi Cohen, a community leader who guides both Jake and Nikki through their adventures. A familiar face across film and television, Hirsh is known for his recurring roles in shows such as ‘Leap Years,’ ‘Naked Josh,’ and ‘Lovebites,’ where he plays Josh Adler, Josh Gould, and Max, respectively. His most widely recognized performances can be found in ‘Weeds’ and ‘Jupiter’s Legacy,’ where he essays Rabbi David Bloom and Richard Conrad AKA Blue Bolt, respectively. The actor’s film résumé includes ‘Twist of Fate,’ ‘Sons of God,’ and ‘Swap.’ As such, ‘Oy to the World!’ marks Hirsh’s first collaboration with Hallmark.
Alongside the lead actors, the movie boasts a cast of stellar actors in supporting roles, with Haven Gin as Sela, Juliette Hawk as Young Nikki, Ryder Miller as Young Jack, and Shaye Quinn as Cynthia Roberts. They are joined by Curtis Lovell as Dave, Marika Siewert as Frannie, Samaya Stark as June, and Wayne Corbeil as a Member of the Congregation.
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