TV News: HBO to Host Chicago Premiere of ‘Game Change’

CHICAGO – On Tuesday, Feb. 28, Chicagoans will have their first opportunity to watch four-time Academy Award nominee Julianne Moore’s controversial portrayal of former Alaskan governor Sarah Palin in Jay Roach’s new HBO drama, “Game Change.” The film is based on the best-selling book of the same name by Mark Halperin and John Heilemann.

The Chicago premiere of “Game Change” will take place at Venue SIX10 (Spertus Institute), 610 South Michigan Ave. Writer and co-executive producer Danny Strong will be present at this special event for a post-screening Q & A. While Strong is an accomplished actor best known for his recurring roles on “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” “Gilmore Girls” and “Mad Men,” he has recently made a name for himself as an acclaimed writer. In 2008, Strong and Roach collaborated on the hit 2008 HBO movie, “Recount,” about the events following the 2000 presidential election.

Ed Harris and Julianne Moore star in Jay Roach’s Game Change.
Photo credit: HBO

HBO Films President and Chicago native Len Amato will also be in attendance at the event, which kicks off with a 6 p.m. reception prior to the 7 p.m. screening. Amato is currently credited as a producer on Brad Bird’s upcoming crime drama, “1906,” and is also attached to documentarian Eugene Jarecki’s latest project, “Irreparable Harm.” He served as an executive producer on “Recount.”

In addition to Moore, the cast also includes Ron Livingston, Sarah Paulson, Peter MacNicol and Ed Harris as John McCain. Woody Harrelson plays strategist Steve Schmidt, the man who championed Palin as McCain’s ideal vice-presidential running mate for the 2008 election. The film is executive produced by Tom Hanks, Gary Goetzman and Jay Roach, and co-executive produced by Danny Strong and Steven Shareshian.
 
“Game Change” debuts exclusively on HBO at 8 p.m. CST Saturday, March 10.

[14]	By MATT FAGERHOLM [15] Staff Writer HollywoodChicago.com matt@hollywoodchicago.com [14]