Most Valuable Players (2010)

Documentary about the Freddy Awards, similar to Broadway's Tony Awards, that gives high school musical theater geeks one night of the year to shine in a Pennsylvania town that devotes all its resources to high school sports.

Director:

Matthew D. Kallis

Writer:

Christopher Lockhart

Stars:

John Andreadis, Frank Anonia, Shelley Brown

2 wins.

Cast

Credited cast:
John Andreadis	...	Himself
Frank Anonia	...	Himself
Shelley Brown	...	Herself
Rita Cortez	...	Herself
Zachary Gibson	...	Himself
Corey Jones	...	Himself
Amanda Kostalis	...	Herself
Jill Kuebler	...	Herself
Vic Kumma	...	Himself
Deena Linn	...	Herself
Andrew McKeough	...	Himself
Ali Mosser	...	Herself
Mark Stutz	...	Himself
Jennifer Wescoe	...	Herself
Katie Wexler	...	Herself

Storyline

Across the USA, high school sports are regularly lavished with funding, publicity and scholarships, while the theater kids struggle to put on the school musical hoping for some attention of their own. But in the sports crazy Lehigh Valley, PA, the theater kids are given one night of the year to take center stage. Illustrating that the performing arts encourage the same teamwork, camaraderie and confidence as sports, MOST VALUABLE PLAYERS culminates with a race to the Freddy Awards - the "Super Bowl" of high school musical theater.

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Taglines:

Meet a new kind of high school all-star....

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Genres:

Documentary | Comedy | Drama | Family | Musical

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Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

6 August 2010 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Canyonback Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

96 min

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

Premiered on OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network on September 8, 2011 as part of the OWN Documentary Club.

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Quotes

Ali Mosser: Maybe we are bitches.

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Crazy Credits

Special thanks to Marge Simpson.

User Reviews

Lots of value in "Most Valuable Players".

"Most Valuable Players" is a really fun and entertaining documentary that doesn't feel all that much like a documentary. It feels much more like a fiction film. While most documentaries today are filled with tragedy and war and sadness, MVP offers the opposite. It's filled with music, energy, hope, inspiration and happiness.

Yes, documentaries about Iraq remain vital and important but MVP reminds us of the American way of life and value system that our soldiers in Iraq fight to preserve.

The story involves three Pennsylvania high schools that prepare for the Freddy Awards, the local high school version of Broadway's Tony Awards. The film talks about the importance of sports and the Freddy Awards feels like a sporting event itself. Sure enough, I found myself rooting for my favorites in the end. I'm not a fan of musicals, and the film holds off most of the numbers until the big show in the end. By this point, I was ready to watch the kids perform and forgot about my musical theater prejudices. I think everyone can relate to kids wanting recognition and trying to succeed. Even though not everyone wins, you feel like they're all winners.

It's all good-natured fun with some really good performances by the talented students. But when something unexpected happens, a sobering reality enters the picture. Thankfully, the film's director balances the tone perfectly.

Standout moments include the kids learning which students & schools have been nominated, and the Freddy Awards themselves. And every moment spent with the gossipy Katie and Ali is a good one.

It's true that some like their documentaries served up much darker and heavier and might not take to the joyful tone here, but MVP offers up a slice of American life and is an emotionally uplifting film that has you tearing up and laughing out loud almost at the same time.

MVP is a wonderful gem and well worth seeking out.