As the actors’ strike takes center stage, the promotional cadence for Molly Gordon and Nick Lieberman’s Theater Camp has notably subsided. In the midst of this quietude, the film, celebrated for its triumphant premiere at earlier festivals this year, recalls its rapturous reception at the Sundance Film Festival, where it garnered not one but two standing ovations back in January.
For those more oriented towards the cinephile realm, Theater Camp has become synonymous with excellence since its Sundance triumph. However, for those less attuned to the world of cinema, their last interaction might have been in the past month when Ben Platt, a prominent star in the film and famous for his role in Dear Evan Hansen, found himself in an awkward spot during a Rolling Stone interview. The inquiry about his connection to a notable film producer unveiled the intricate family ties he shares with Academy Award-nominated producer Marc Platt, who also happens to be his father.
Despite such tangential conversations, the anticipation mounts for the film’s debut in UK cinemas on August 25th. Theater Camp, a 90-minute mockumentary, delves humorously into the inner workings of AdirondACTS, a floundering theatrical summer school based in New York. Under the stewardship of its founder Joan (Amy Sedaris), the camp treads water every year, a feat made challenging by the odds. However, the unexpected takes a firm hold as Joan falls into a coma after a peculiar incident involving a school production.
Stepping into the fray, Joan’s cryptocurrency enthusiast son Troy (Jimmy Tatro) assumes the reins, steering the proceedings in her absence. Alongside the camp’s spirited and whimsically self-assured instructors, Troy strives to orchestrate a memorable final summer production. Best friends in real life, Ben Platt and Molly Gordon shine as the vivacious and relentless co-directors Amos Klobuchar and Rebbeca-Diane. Their dynamic presence resonates, particularly in moments where they astutely dissect a student’s “tear stick” usage, rendering a standout scene etched with comedic brilliance.
While Platt and Gordon radiate as the film’s core, Theater Camp thrives through the collective synergy of its eccentric faculty, each lost in their own fantastical reveries. Noteworthy performances by Ayo Edebiri and Nathan Lee Graham add layers of humor and depth, as does Noah Galvin’s transformative character arc. Theater Camp is a cinematic spectacle that pays tribute to the realm of musical theater, finally providing a platform for quirky, queer theater aficionados.
Though not devoid of shortcomings, Theater Camp’s rapid-fire humor occasionally stumbles over itself, causing a few quips to fall flat. While the narrative remains simple and effective, it does leave some threads dangling at the conclusion. Nevertheless, this endearing and heartwarming film does more than just tickle the funny bone—it offers a respite, a much-needed breather in today’s world, leaving audiences with a buoyant and uplifting sensation.