Eliza Dushku

WALTHAM — The Skellig on Moody Street won’t be the only recognizable site for Waltham residents when "On Broadway" hits the big screen, as the film was once again on location in the city yesterday at Christ Church Episcopal on Main Street.

Crew members set up tents in the rain as those involved with the film descended on the church to film three scenes. The film stars Eliza Dushku, Amy Poehler and Joey McIntyre, and is about a young man that writes a play about his godfather’s funeral and can’t find a place to perform it except a neighborhood pub.

"Yesterday was the only day they’re shooting here, and there’s been a lot of activity," said the Rev. Sara Irwin, priest in residence at Christ Church Episcopal. "It’s a beautiful church, and we’d love for all of Waltham to know about it, much less all of the country."

Jill Risk, co-producer of "On Broadway," said the first scene shot yesterday took place in the church’s basement, where the playwright receives an encouraging pep talk from his brother, who is a priest. There was also a scene where one of the actors auditioning for the play is nervous about trying out for a role, and another scene of random auditions, according to Risk.

"We’re basically filming all of the audition stuff at the church," she said. "The playwright’s brother is a priest, so he allows him to use his church to do all of the rehearsals and auditions."

Irwin said she was contacted by the producers of "On Broadway" last fall about the possibility of using the church as a location to shoot a few scenes. Prior to being contacted, she said parishioners at Christ Church Episcopal had already discussed making the building where they worship more available to the community, providing worship space for other church groups as well as a meeting place for various labor unions.

"We want to use the building as its own ministry to reach out to the community," said Irwin. "The fact that there is a movie being filmed here is an added novelty."

Parishioners did have some reservations about "On Broadway" being shot at Christ Church Episcopal, according to Irwin. She said the main concern was that scenes would be filmed in the building’s sanctuary. However, an agreement was struck with producers, and though a scene was filmed in the sanctuary, as little equipment and personnel as possible was used.

"It went great," said Risk. "The church really opened itself up to us." In the coming days, "On Broadway" will continue to be filmed at The Skellig, and several scenes will also be shot at Copley Square and a few other locations in Boston, according to Risk.