Camp (2003)

After a series of Broadway flops, songwriter Bert Hanley (Dixon) goes to work at a musical camp for young performers. Inspired by the kids, he finds an opportunity to regain success by staging an altogether new production.

Director:

Todd Graff

Writer:

Todd Graff

Stars:

Don Dixon, Daniel Letterle, Joanna Chilcoat

6 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Daniel Letterle	...	Vlad
Joanna Chilcoat	...	Ellen
Robin de Jesus	...	Michael (as Robin De Jesus)
Steven Cutts	...	Shaun
Vince Rimoldi	...	Spitzer
Kahiry Bess	...	Petie
Tiffany Taylor	...	Jenna
Sasha Allen	...	Dee
Alana Allen	...	Jill
Anna Kendrick	...	Fritzi
Don Dixon	...	Bert
Robert Orosco	...	Emil
Stephen DiMenna	...	Glen
Omar Edwards	...	Alston
Camilla Millican Samuelson	...	Hillary

Storyline

Misfits in their lives back home, a group of young people live it up at musical-theater camp. While the sports counselor is completely ignored, the kids' spend all their time in rehearsal for a grueling schedule that involves a new show every two weeks. Several personal stories come to the fore. Is talented golden-boy Vlad honest in his feelings about Ellen? Can cross-dressing Michael have a relationship with his parents? Will one-hit-wonder musical playwrite and now camp counselor Bert Hanley remain mired in drink and cynicism? Fireworks are in store when Fritzi, who slavishly serves glamour girl Jill, is finally told to get a life, and the parents of Jenna, whose jaw has been wired shut in a compromise to avoid being sent to "fat camp", learn a valuable lesson at the summer's big end-of-season benefit.

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Plot Keywords:

camp counselor | cynicism | musical theater | drink | making a costume | 

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Taglines:

A Comedy About Drama

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Genres:

Comedy | Musical | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for mature thematic elements regarding teen sexual issues, and some language

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Spanish

Release Date:

29 August 2003 (USA)

Also Known As:

Anekplirotoi erotes

Filming Locations:

Seattle, Washington, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$54,294, 27 July 2003, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$1,628,154, 12 October 2003

Company Credits

Production Co:

IFC Productions, Jersey Films, John Wells Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

114 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Several additional scenes with featured characters show during and after the credits.

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Goofs

After having her jaw wired shut for the whole summer, the muscles in Jenna's jaw would have atrophied to the point that she would not be able to open her mouth wide enough to sing well.

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Quotes

[first lines]
[scene opens on Dee, Shaun and Company singing "How Shall I See You Through My Tears"]
[as singing continues, scene shifts to Vlad in his bedroom]
Vlad: To all the critics out there, I know they're gonna review this, and I know they're gonna try to knock me - is it OK if I say this to the camera, Amber? - Okay. I only am who I am 'cause I was born that way. I have a gift, and I'm trying not to be selfish about it, but to use it. Okay? If you're gonna knock me for that, that's your problem....
[...]

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Connections

Featured in The Rotten Tomatoes Show: Year One/Whatever Works/The Proposal (2009)

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Soundtracks

Moving on Up
Written by Paul Heard and Mike Pickering
Published by EMI Blockwood Music Inc. (BMI) o/b/o EMI Music Publishing Ltd. and BMG Songs Inc. (ASCAP) o/b/o BMG Music Publishing Ltd.
Performed by M People
Courtesy of BMG UK & Ireland Ltd
Under license from BMG Strategic Marketing Group

User Reviews

Very entertaining film!

I join those that gave this charming film a high rating. I don't know where the UNEMPLOYED CRITIC is coming from and I guess from his/her review, we know why they're unemployed. He/she totally missed the boat with this one. Place that review amongst the garbage bin of stupidity.

I thought the concept, story and direction by Todd Graff was a labor of love to the young talented stars of the film. They all gave their all. You could feel the support they brought to Graff and his ideas. Michelle Lynch and Jerry Mitchell brought simple yet effective dancing to the film. Re-creating the TURKY LURKY number from "Promises, Promises" originated by Michael Bennett.

I'm not quite sure who gets the credit for Musical Direction, but it was wonderful to see these young people of today bringing their talents to the Broadway oldies of yesterday. How wonderful for them to know the music of the time.

I give special praise to Daniel Letterle, who seems to be getting most of the bad raps here. I thought he played his role with simplicity and great depth. For such a young actor, he managed to touch your heart with his work. Thank you, Daniel. And Robin de Jesus, too, gave a simple approach to his role. It could have been over the wall acting, but he kept the lid on and made the part his own. Everyone else did very well. They brought good acting, and of course those gorgeous voices.

Congratulations, Mr. Graff, and please give Mr. Sondheim my best.