Train frontman, Erie native Pat Monahan to star in Hallmark Christmas movie premiering Nov. 28

The Hallmark Channel, known for its holiday-centric movies this time of year, will have an Erie connection as part of the network's "Countdown to Christmas" programming.

Erie native and Grammy-winning singer Pat Monahan and his band Train will have an original movie, "Christmas in Tahoe," premiering Nov. 28 at 6 p.m. on the Hallmark Channel. The movie, inspired by the multi-Grammy Award-winning group's Christmas album of the same name originally released in 2015, portrays a story of love and family.

The movie was filmed in Vancouver in British Columbia, Canada, and stars Monahan, as well as actors/singers Laura Osnes and Kyle Selig and comedic actor George Lopez.

"Ever since having made our Christmas album, 'Christmas in Tahoe,' it's been a dream of mine to bring it to life on the screen," Monahan said in a news release. "Hallmark has now made that dream a reality. I loved being able to not only act but also perform 'Shake Up Christmas' and our new, original song, 'Mittens,' in the movie. I know that everyone is going to feel the love and warmth of the holiday season when they see this heartfelt film."

According to Hallmark Channel's plot synopsis, Monahan plays Jackson, the best friend and concierge to Osnes' character, Claire, an aspiring talent booker who needs to find a replacement act for a Christmas Eve show at her family's hotel and casino in Lake Tahoe. To save the hotel, Claire must ask for help from her ex-boyfriend Ryan (Selig), the lead guitarist of a band that fired her as their manager years ago.

In the movie, Monahan performs "Shake Up Christmas" with Selig, as well as Train's song "Mittens."

Monahan also serves as an executive producer on "Christmas in Tahoe," along with Kim Arnott and Ivan Kayden. The movie is a Christmas Lake Productions Inc. film.

Train made a summer tour stop in Erie this year, playing to more than 4,000 fans at Erie Insurance Arena on Aug. 21. 

Back on tour:Erie native Pat Monahan delights, Train plays to more than 4,000 at Erie Insurance Arena

Home visit:Pat Monahan, Train pull back into town with show at Erie Insurance Arena

The band has sold more than 10 million albums and 30 million tracks worldwide, with multiple platinum and gold citations, including three Grammy Awards, two Billboard Music Awards and dozens of other honors. They've had 12 albums on the Billboard 200 albums chart.