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      Stagedoor

      Released Mar 14, 2005 1h 18m Documentary List
      63% 16 Reviews Tomatometer 55% 250+ Ratings Audience Score Inspired to follow in the footsteps of camp graduates like Robert Downey Jr., Amy Ryan and Natalie Portman, young performers flock to Stagedoor Manor in the Catskills each summer. Director Alexandra Shiva focuses on five campers who are put the through their paces in a variety of musical, comedic and dramatic exercises. Their training and backgrounds may be different, but Maddy, Nicole, Randi, Robert and Taylor, none of whom have turned 18, each harbor similar dreams of stardom. Read More Read Less

      Audience Reviews

      View All (11) audience reviews
      Audience Member The observational quality of the film is its strength. The contrast between the various parents speaks for itself and is a social commentary of its own. Entertaining and sobering for anyone who has been a teenager or ever done theater. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/11/23 Full Review Audience Member The idea of a film about a drama camp is a great one and could be very entertaining, but unfortunately this one is unable to keep its focus. I kept watching because the subject matter was interesting, but the students chronicled deserved so much better than this unfocused and dull documentary. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 02/10/23 Full Review Audience Member I love documentaries about the world of theater and I had such high hopes for this one seeing as how it focused on the famous Stagedoor Manor. Unfortunately, this documentary just barely scratched the surface and was rather superficial in its portrayal of the world of theater. Their choice to follow five performers could have really let us into the mind of child actors and how the world of theater can be quite brutal, yet for some reason each of their story lines were abandoned and they focused on the entire camp but with boring results. I didn't care for a single individual in this documentary or with the camp staff. I guess I only scored this film three stars for sentimental and emotional reasons. Growing up as a theater nerd, I understand completely what these kids go through being made fun of and not feeling like they fit in. Also, it kinda made me wish I had pursued this more when I was younger. If you appreciate theater then this may be worth a viewing otherwise I recommend other documentaries about the world of theater (Every Little Step and Life After Tomorrow being excellent ones). Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/22/23 Full Review Audience Member Cant. Get. Enough. So terrifying. But I loved every minute of it. B- Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/12/23 Full Review Audience Member Sure, the kids are an interesting group and I love musicals, but I wasn't really drawn in as I anticipated to be. I found it very easy to multi-task while having this on in the background. The arcs of the story, if there were any, weren't memorable. I think this is a great look at what stage camp is like for those considering it, but it was nothing more than an informational documentary. Maybe a subsequent summer would have given them the substance they needed to bridge the gap. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 02/17/23 Full Review Audience Member I thought they were going to talk about all of the famous people who attended this camp, but alas. I'm always fascinated by young people who love to/get to act and sing. If you like this, make sure to see the movie "Camp"... it's the fictional version of Stagedoor Manor with all of the theater drama :) Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/30/23 Full Review Read all reviews Post a rating

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      Stagedoor

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      Critics Reviews

      View All (16) Critics Reviews
      Shauna Lyon New Yorker ... charming documentary ... Aug 25, 2006 Full Review Frank Scheck Hollywood Reporter Although Stagedoor has its enjoyable observational moments in its depiction of budding young entertainers stretching their wings, it also has an aimless quality. Jul 18, 2006 Full Review Joe Leydon Variety Shiva's most impressive achievement here is her ability to communicate universal verities through specific details. May 30, 2006 Full Review Louis Proyect rec.arts.movies.reviews Totally appealing documentary on aspiring theatrical performers at summer camp. Apr 21, 2007 Full Review David Noh Film Journal International Age and experience questions aside, you want to see more really breakthrough performances. Mar 1, 2007 Full Review Ken Fox TV Guide Fans of Todd Graff's endearing Camp will also enjoy Alexandra Shiva's documentary about Stagedoor Manor, the real-life Catskills summer workshop that inspired Graff's Camp Ovation. Rated: 3/4 May 26, 2006 Full Review Read all reviews

      Movie Info

      Synopsis Inspired to follow in the footsteps of camp graduates like Robert Downey Jr., Amy Ryan and Natalie Portman, young performers flock to Stagedoor Manor in the Catskills each summer. Director Alexandra Shiva focuses on five campers who are put the through their paces in a variety of musical, comedic and dramatic exercises. Their training and backgrounds may be different, but Maddy, Nicole, Randi, Robert and Taylor, none of whom have turned 18, each harbor similar dreams of stardom.
      Director
      Alexandra Shiva
      Producer
      Jason Blum
      Production Co
      Gidalya Prods.
      Genre
      Documentary
      Original Language
      English
      Release Date (Theaters)
      Mar 14, 2005, Original
      Rerelease Date (Theaters)
      May 24, 2006
      Release Date (DVD)
      Mar 27, 2007
      Runtime
      1h 18m