The lead character's name was Patrick Ness in the play version Off-Broadway. It was changed to Patrick Nolan for the film version so that nobody would think the character was based on real-life screenwriter and author Patrick Ness. Writer and star Tim Realbuto chose the last name Nolan long before the production team cast Nolan Gould opposite him. "Patrick Nolan Gould" has become a bit of an inside joke among the creative team.
The original uncut version of the film ran nearly three hours.
Realbuto, a notable New York stage actor, writer and singer, will be playing his first starring role in a film with 'Yes.' The film is based on Realbuto's hit Off-Broadway play.
Realbuto's last on-screen appearance was as a guest star on NBC's "Ed" in 2002. His character shared two scenes with Emmy Award winning actress Julie Bowen on that show. Sixteen years later, in a strange full circle circumstance, Realbuto is now starring opposite Nolan Gould in 'Yes.' (Bowen plays Gould's television mom on ABC's "Modern Family.")
Nolan Gould was the production team's first choice for the role of Jeremiah. Director Rob Margolies previously directed Gould as a young child in his first on-screen credit, which was a short student film while Margolies was still in college.