Theater Camp
Searchlight Pictures | Release Date: July 14, 2023
6.9
USER SCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 11 Ratings
USER RATING DISTRIBUTION
Positive:
7
Mixed:
3
Negative:
1
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6
TVJerryAug 1, 2023
This faux doc is set in a summer camp for theatre kids. Ben Platt & Molly Gordon play 2 instructors, who also create an original musical every summer. (The actors actually met when they were kids at a camp like this and Gordon co-wrote &This faux doc is set in a summer camp for theatre kids. Ben Platt & Molly Gordon play 2 instructors, who also create an original musical every summer. (The actors actually met when they were kids at a camp like this and Gordon co-wrote & co-directed.) While the teachers are satirized with their affected seriousness, the young actors show lots of talent. Because everyone was encouraged to improvise, it has a loose feeling, but not a lot of sharp, comic moments. The original songs are tuneful and appropriately trite. This was shot with a grainy, low-budget style that adds to the immediacy. Even though it's trying hard to amuse, it's seldom funny, but it's obvious that everyone involved loves the theatre and that shines thru. Inevitable comparison to Waiting for Guffman are only in concept, because it was a lot better all around.… Expand
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8
MovieReviewMaveAug 7, 2023
IN A NUTSHELL:

I used to take dance, singing, and theater classes when I was a little girl and into my teens, so I really got a kick out of this movie. It’s about an eccentric staff of a rundown theater camp in upstate New York during aIN A NUTSHELL:

I used to take dance, singing, and theater classes when I was a little girl and into my teens, so I really got a kick out of this movie. It’s about an eccentric staff of a rundown theater camp in upstate New York during a summer when the founder’s stroke put her in a coma. Her “bro-y” son had to figure out how to keep the camp afloat in her absence as the financial future of the camp is hanging in the balance.
The entertaining film was written and directed by Molly Gordon and Nick Lieberman with additional writing help from Noah Galvin. This is Molly’s and Nick’s directorial debut. They, clearly, had a blast putting this movie together. It makes for a fun summer movie.
The movie has already won “Best Ensemble” at the Sundance Film Festival. It was also nominated for other awards at other film festivals at Sundance, SXSW, and Seattle International. THINGS I LIKED:

More Ben Platt, please! I just love his voice. He and Noah Galvin are a couple in real life. They both played the starring role in Dear Evan Hansen. Such a great stage play and movie!
The rest of the talented cast includes Caroline Aaron, Nathan Lee Graham, Molly Gordon, Jimmy Tatro, Patti Harrison, Amy Sedaris, and so many young kids who just got their break in movies!
There are some truly talented kids in the movie.
The story is filmed like a mockumentary and absolutely doesn’t take itself too seriously.
There is a lot of spoken and visual humor. Thespians will be the ones that enjoy it the most.
The cards on the screen give us entertaining and often hilarious background information during the entire movie.
The ending is actually really sweet and touching.
We get to hear a lot of original music with amusing lyrics.
Fun fact #1: The film was shot in only 19 days, resulting in a whopping 70 hours of footage! It must have been painful to try to weed through all of the footage and cut so much out.
Fun fact #2: They filmed the movie at the URJ Kutz camp in Warwick, New York. Sadly, the camp is now closed, another reminder that we need to help support our local companies and the arts. THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE:

Act 1 establishes the characters and the goofiness, but the plot really doesn’t present itself until Act 3 when it’s quickly resolved.
People who aren’t into musical theater or plays might not think the humor is very funny. TIPS FOR PARENTS: Profanity, including an F-bomb
Visual and spoken jokes about doing cocaine.
Lots of children and adults in the LGBTQ+ community are represented.… Expand
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6
JLuis_001Aug 27, 2023
Theater Camp's humor is genuine, and I think it proves to be its best weapon in separating itself from what could have become a very simple mockumentary. It may give the impression that you have to be a theater lover to get into the spirit ofTheater Camp's humor is genuine, and I think it proves to be its best weapon in separating itself from what could have become a very simple mockumentary. It may give the impression that you have to be a theater lover to get into the spirit of its plot, but I think even casual viewers will be able to relate to its approach.

Not everything functions seamlessly, and at certain points, I experienced a slight sense of disconnection. However, the humor operates at an optimal level, effectively getting the laughs it's looking for.
It may not leave a brutal impression on you and you may not enjoy its melodies either, but i believe you won't be bored.… Expand
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8
LeithalSep 6, 2023
If you were a musical theater kid growing up, this film is for you. If you are the sibling of a theater kid growing up, this film is for you. If you were a stage designer, set hand or cast member, this is the film to bring you back to yourIf you were a musical theater kid growing up, this film is for you. If you are the sibling of a theater kid growing up, this film is for you. If you were a stage designer, set hand or cast member, this is the film to bring you back to your childhood and flood it with so many nostalgic memories you will want to see this movie again and again and again. This mockumentary-style film centres around two counsellors at a theater camp who were child prodigies and, while they never made it to Broadway, come back each year as counsellors, trying to live their dreams through the up-and-coming young campers. Together, they go through the stages of horrible auditions, rejections, rehearsals and school camp politics to deliver a wildly entertaining film that stands out as one of the year’s best comedies.

Joan Rubinsky (Amy Sedaris) is the proud owner of Camp ArdinoidACTS in upstate New York. After a strobe light incident sends her into a coma right before the start of the new summer camp season, her son Troy (Jimy Tatro), who has no idea about the camp, is left in charge to save it from the woes from the bank. While sifting through the mess, the camp counsellors led by Amos (Ben Platt) and Rebecca-Diane (Molly Gordon) strut around like superstars, inflicting their unresolved hopes and dreams on the kids at the camp. When it’s revealed that the camp is in financial distress and something must be done to save it. Fortunately, this all too overused cliche is wafted out by the kids who reject capitalism and just want to perform on stage which takes this film into an entertaining twist. It is a wild 90 minutes packed full of jokes and zingers that you will need to watch several times to fully grasp the breadth of what they are doing here. Through all of the jokes and the brutally honest stabs is a heart and sweetness that shines through each character and the core of what this camp means to everyone involved. This is only amplified through the performances of the cast, Platt and Gordon are the clear standouts here, guiding the story and cast. Ayo Edebiri has a great stint as a dry character, leading the stage fighting workshops and specialising in mime. There are obvious comparisons here to 2003’s Camp with an infusion of Wet Hot American Summer, while clear influences, this movie still manages to carve out its own path resulting in some big laughs and a memorable movie you will want to revisit. There are some original songs in this with some truly terrible lyrics that only add to the laughs and charm. Theater Camp is truly firing on all comedic cylinders, it understands every bit of this experience and the emotional rollercoaster of being involved in a live performance both on and off stage. While a lot of the attention is on the main adults, there is much to be said about the kids involved who truly give their all to solidify an incredible film. Platt and Gordon have truly crafted one of the years best comedies you will want to watch over and over.… Expand
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8
superfrog281Aug 9, 2023
I actually really liked the tone of this film. I watched it with my friends in a theater and I kind of liked it. The humor was funny all the way and I like how optimistic the theater camp is.
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9
Maverick_2023Aug 28, 2023
Really enjoyed this. Lots of humour with great performances from the younger cast. Will get lost with all the big releases but definitely deserves to be seen.
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