‘The Middle’ actress Patricia Heaton’s role spotlights challenges of the pastor’s wife

A night featuring a series of unfortunate events played to hilarious results is the basis for the faith-based comedy Mom’s Night Out, starring Patricia Heaton (Everybody Loves Raymond, The Middle); Sarah Drew (Grey’s Anatomy); Sean Astin (The Goonies, “Lord of the Rings”); and country singer Trace Adkins.

Directed by the Erwin brothers (October Baby), the film from Affirm Films and Provident Films released to theaters in time for Mother’s Day and will be available for home viewing Sept. 2. The DVD is being promoted with a series of retailer exclusives, such as Blu-ray/DVD combo packs exclusive to Christian retail with bonus content such as blooper reels and special featurettes.

Heaton and her husband, David Hunt, served as executive producers of the film and offered script suggestions based on her research on the life of a pastor’s wife.

“When I did my research, one of the words that came up often to describe themselves is ‘lonely’,” she said. “It makes perfect sense because although they’re surrounded by people, they have to be careful about who they can confide in as a friend. So, we started finding places in the script to illustrate where we can spotlight pastor’s wife’s challenges.”

Heaton said the chance to “humanize” church goers was one of the concepts that drew her to the part of Sondra, the pastor’s wife.

“I think it was the first comedy in the faith-friendly area of movies,” she said. “I am a big believer in comedy. People talk about music breaking barriers and uniting people. I think comedy does the same thing. I was very excited that there was a comedy about people going to church. It makes them more human.”

The actress, who admitted that of all the moms she’s played in her roles, she’s the most like her current television persona, Frankie Heck from ABC’s The Middle, believes the ability for the church to show its softer side is a really good thing.

“I think G.K. Chesterton said, ‘Angels can fly because they take themselves lightly,’ ” Heaton said. “We should be able to laugh at our own unfortunate attempts at living a pious life. I think the world needs to see Christians having fun and laughing at themselves.”

To order the Mom’s Night Out DVD, visit thep.com.

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