'Theatre Camp' leaves Sundance and hits theaters (2023)

They had 19 days to shoot a movie at the Jewish Pajama Camp in Warwick, New York. With a musical at the end, 30 speaking parts, and child actors with tight work schedules, directing duo Molly Gordon and Nick Lieberman shot their first feature film in every spare moment they had. Of course, working with his other two friends, actors and screenwriters Noah Galvin and Ben Platt, meant more hands-on work.

One morning, Lieberman motioned for Galvin to run, and at one point, roll down the hill. Then Galvin, who played Glenn, the wide-eyed stage manager, descended on the scene with a utility belt.

“We get a lot of takes on that,” Gordon quipped during a panel at Chase Sapphire on Main Street in Park City. The absurd is exciting, as is the rest of "Theatre Camp," a surreal glimpse into the world of performing arts for those who truly love it.

Running at 94 minutes, “Theater Camp” opened at the Eccles Theater in Park City during the Sundance Film Festival on January 21 to a standing ovation. It won the US Dramatic Special Jury Award for best ensemble at Sundance on Friday.

Searchlight Pictures has since acquired the film for around $8 million, with a guaranteed theatrical release.reported deadline.

'Theater Camp' Is About Finding Belonging

It begins with a screening of "Bye Bye Birdy" at AdirondACTS, a rudimentary theater camp when the founder, Joan (Amy Sedaris), falls ill. The summer session is about to start, but with Joan in a coma, brother Troy (Jimmy Tatro) has to step in and run the establishment.

The team is worried but ready to get the kids back in shape. Amos de Platt and Rebecca-Diane de Gordon are codependent acting and music teachers. Then there's Clive (Nathan Lee Graham), the strict dance instructor; Gigi (Owen Thiele), the flamboyant costume expert; Janet (Ayo Edebiri) who knows nothing about theater; and of course, Glenn, a man of many exceptional talents.

The cast of Theater Camp poses for photos at the premiere at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City on Saturday, January 21, 2023.

Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News

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Jimmy Tatro, executive producer and actor of "Theatre Camp," attends the premiere at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City on Saturday, January 21, 2023.

Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News

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Will Ferrell, producer of "Theater Camp," is interviewed at the premiere at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City on Saturday, January 21, 2023.

Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News

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Lines form for the premiere of "Theater Camp" at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City on Saturday, January 21, 2023.

Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News

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Attendees enter the Eccles Center theater for the premiere of "Theater Camp" at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City on Saturday, January 21, 2023.

Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News

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As students and faculty focus on producing "Joan, Still," an autobiographical musical based on the founder's life, Troy struggles with finances. It is here that Diane appears, warning him of an impending foreclosure and offering to look after the theater camp, merging it with Camp Lakeside, a runny version of what Joan created.

The clueless crypto brother is seduced, but Glenn convinces him that his camp is worth saving. It's up to Troy and the crew of eccentric teachers to protect the space that means the world to these kids.

Ben Platt and Molly Gordon on writing 'Theater Camp'

The 16mm verite doc style has been a passion project for the group of four who have known each other for a long time: Platt and Gordon have known each other since they were kids, they met Lieberman while collaborating in high school, and Galvin during an art workshop. music. — and they're all "theater nerds," as Lieberman admitted on panel.

Producer Jessica Elbaum's work on "Booksmart," starring Gordon and Galvin, led her to the gang, and she was promptly kidnapped.

“It was obvious that they had known each other for some time and loved working together creatively,” said producer Will Ferrell.final term. "It was Jessica's idea to turn this into a feature after watching them finish each other's sentences while playing riffs."

The goal was to give the actors agency and freedom to improvise "because you only have about 10 minutes at the end of each take to really act," Gordon said.

So the script writing process was not typical. "Dear Evan Hansen" actor Platt explained that depending on the role, scene, and larger context, some parts were fully scripted, while others were partially scripted, creating the perfect launch pad for "happy accidents." .

Much of his work is inspired by Christopher Guest's mock documentaries such as "Best in Show," "A Mighty Wind," and "Waiting for Guffman," as well as 1993's "The War Room," a presidential campaign documentary. of Bill Clinton. .

As for the music in the fake production of "Joan, Still," it's catchy and energetic, especially the anthem "Women Cannot Read." The ridiculous chorus of the last song: “Camp ain't home. But I guess it is,” at first elicits laughs before turning into a heartfelt love letter.

With that being said, the movie is aimed at a mature audience due to the foul language, slurs, and sexual innuendos.

A series of brilliant child actors

Moments after the premiere, the young actors took the stage for a surprise rendition of the film's original songs, earning another glorious standing ovation.

"Our greatest satisfaction and surprise was how amazing all the kids improvised," Platt said during the Q&A, "which is what 'Theater Camp' is all about."

"They really understood the heart of the movie and I'm so glad they came and sang it because it was the best treat in the world," added the Tony Award-winning artist.

At the center of the film are these children like Alan S. Kim, winner of the Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Young Actor for his role in “Minari”. He's a hoot, playing a diminutive agent with straight hair and big ambitions.

While Kim is seen handing out business cards and spotting talent at this camp, Christopher from Luke Islam from "America's Got Talent" is busy singing amazing songs. “I really feel like everyone has a moment,” Gordon said on the panel.

Of course, it's hard to ignore the meta-nature of the film, which allows these child actors to experience a version of theater camp. Galvin confessed that his reaction was to "cry loudly" knowing that the summer and filming were over.

“It was very worthwhile for us to have created this little microcosm for them to exist,” he said.

'Theatre Camp' sessions:

• Monday, January 23, 11:55 pm MST: Public screening (The Ray Theatre, Park City).
• Thursday, January 26, 9:30 pm MST: Public Screening (Library Center Theatre, Park City).
• Friday, January 27, 9:30 pm MST: Public screening (Rose Wagner Center, Salt Lake City).