Take a Delightful Sojourn Into Thespian Hilarity at ‘THEATER CAMP’

In the vein of the best Christopher Guest mockumentaries, Theater Camp delivers a laugh-a-minute exploration of the inner workings of a fictitious child actor’s summer getaway, firmly rooted in reality. Destined to become a cult comedy classic, especially amongst the performance-inclined, this feature-length adaptation of the short film of the same name is crafted with a deep understanding of the theatrical world. Co-directed by Molly Gordon and Nick Lieberman, both with theatrical backgrounds, the film expertly celebrates and satirizes the peculiarities of the theater world, infusing the humor with a delightful mix of specificity and personal touches.

Gordon and co-star/co-writer Ben Platt share a real-life history of growing up doing children’s theater together, which adds an endearing layer of authenticity to their mostly fictional relationship in the movie. VHS footage of their early stage performances is intermittently woven into the film, underscoring their genuine friendship and unwavering passion for the craft of acting. Their love for the art form is palpable, as is their ability to find humor in its occasional absurdities. Accompanied by a stellar ensemble of comedic talent spanning ages 8 to 80, Theater Camp serves as both a heartfelt ode to the joy of theatrical creation and an in-on-the-joke satire of the behind-the-scenes antics that often ensue.

When camp founder Joan Dubinsky (Amy Sedaris) falls into a ‘Bye Bye Birdie’-induced coma, the fate of the AdirondACTS summer theater camp hangs in the balance. Left in the hands of her crypto-bro son Troy (Jimmy Tatro) and a group of hilariously dramaturgically-addled camp counselors, the campers suddenly find themselves adrift without the comforting embrace of tradition. Every summer, the head of drama, Amos (Platt), and music, Rebecca-Diane (Gordon), team up to stage an original production featuring the most talented kids at the camp. This season’s showstopper centerpiece is ‘Joan, Still,’ a tribute biographical musical dedicated to the camp’s comatose founder—an enthralling spectacle showcased nearly in full during the pitch-perfect third act. In the absence of the inimitable Joan, Troy and his cohorts must grapple with rival summer campers, looming bank foreclosure, and the dreaded writer’s block.

The bone-rattlingly funny improvisational-style comedy made a smashing impact at this year’s Sundance International Film Festival, garnering multiple standing ovations before being acquired by Searchlight Pictures. Working from a script by Gordon, Platt, Lieberman, and Noah Galvin, Theater Camp firmly secures its spot among the most laugh-dense comedies in recent memory. The film brims with hilarious asides, insider actorly nuggets, and blink-and-you’ll-miss-it jokes, all drawing on thespian nuances, creating humor that is delightfully rich and relatable, especially for current, former, or aspiring performers in the audience. Anyone familiar with theater will instantly recognize these characters and situations – from the dramatic behind-the-scenes scuffles to the unwavering compulsion to harmonize, regardless of the circumstance.

Razor-sharp editing is the key to any great comedy, and Theater Camp‘s tight script and incisive editing keep its farcical delights snappy and moving, never once running out of steam or getting lost in comedic mire. The inventive production elements also contribute to this comedy’s soaring success, especially as Theater Camp brings the world of actual theater to life on stage. Like any exceptional theatrical experience, Gordon and company have crafted something brimming with life, a genuinely hilarious comedy that is sure to stand the test of time upon rewatch. Like its eager campers, I personally can’t wait to return to Theater Camp.

CONCLUSION: Fueled by a script that absolutely sings and the thespian talent and improvisational ingenuity to back it up, ‘Theater Camp’ is a hysterical and delightful trip to mockumentary perfection that stands as one of the best comedy films in recent memory. More Molly Gordon in everything please.