Mitch Albom's 'Have a Little Faith' to Premiere in Royal Oak

Mitch Albom committed to making the movie, Have A Little Faith, based on his best-selling book of the same name, as local as possible. So he insisted on filming in Detroit – where a large part of the story is focused – and bringing in the stars for a red carpet premiere tonight at the .

“It’s important to put your projects where your mouth is,” said Albom, an outspoken advocate of Michigan’s film incentives.

In the true story, Academy Award-winner Martin Landau plays Albert Lewis, an 82-year-old rabbi who asks Albom to deliver his eulogy.  

Feeling unworthy, Albom (played by Bradley Whitford of The West Wing fame) insists on understanding the man better, which throws him back into a world of faith he’d left years ago. Meanwhile, in Detroit, Albom becomes involved with Henry Covington (played by Oscar nominee Laurence Fishburne) – a reformed convict and pastor of the Pilgrim Church. Covington tends to the poor in the decaying church with a giant hole in its sanctuary.

Albom, who lives in Farmington Hills, and Jon Avnet are executive producers of the Hallmark Hall of Fame production. Avnet has directed, written and produced nearly 60 motion pictures, including box office hits Risky Business and Fried Green Tomatoes. Avnet was the executive producer of the Oscar-nominated Black Swan.

“Being executive producer doesn’t mean a whole lot,” Albom said. “It’s not more money, but it does mean I get to make more decisions.”

This is Albom’s fourth book to be adapted for the screen, but only the second time he has produced, the other being Oprah Winfrey Presents: Mitch Albom's For One More Day.

One of the decisions about Have a Little Faith that was important to the Detroit Free Press columnist, author and on-air personality was that the film be made in Detroit.

“It was critical,” he said. “I wouldn’t make the movie without Detroit.” During the filming, Albom said, he was on set every day.

Tonight all 10 screens and 1,700 seats at the Royal Oak Emagine will be dedicated to the movie's premiere, which brings a certain element of nervous anticipation for Albom.

“I feel the kind of excitement you have when you host a party. The kind where you worry you are going to run out of food,” he said. "This is all our doing.”

Avnet and many of the film's stars, including Fishburne, Landau, Whitford and Melinda McGraw, will join Albom at the premiere and greet fans at a sold-out VIP reception. All premiere guests will receive an autographed copy of Albom’s book.

Albom said he chose to have the premiere at the Royal Oak Emagine because it has a ballroom and a green room. “It's laid out really well,” he said. “Plus we have all the screens.”

Proceeds from the event will go to A Hole in the Roof Foundation and the Rabbi Albert Lewis Fund, both associated with major characters in the non-fiction book. The A Hole in the Roof Foundation helps faith groups that assist the homeless repair the spaces in which they carry out their work.

On Nov. 27, Have A Little Faith will be televised on ABC stations.

If you go

What: The world premiere of Have a Little Faith, based on the best-selling book by Metro Detroiter Mitch Albom.

When: Today. The sold-out VIP event begins at 5:30 p.m. and general admission program begins at 6:45 p.m.

Tickets: The $35 general admission tickets are still available and can be purchased through Ticketmaster.com, Emagine-entertainment.com or by calling 800-745-3000.