Totally appealing documentary on aspiring theatrical performers at summer camp.
Stagedoor (2006)
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted: 17
Fresh: 11
Rotten:6
Average Rating: 6.2/10
Theatrical Release:May 24, 2006 Limited
Synopsis: Nestled into the Catskill mountains, Stagedoor Manor Performing Arts Training Center serves as a summertime haven for aspiring teenage actors, singers, and dancers. Often feeling "different" from... Nestled into the Catskill mountains, Stagedoor Manor Performing Arts Training Center serves as a summertime haven for aspiring teenage actors, singers, and dancers. Often feeling "different" from their peers during the rest of the year, these Broadway hopefuls flock to Stagedoor for the creative solace it provides. Directed by Alexandra Shiva, this documentary explores the unique experience that Stagedoor offers and examines how important it is for young people to feel they belong, even if that feeling only comes around once a year. [More]
Director: Alexandra Shiva
Director: Alexandra Shiva
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Reviews for Stagedoor
Age and experience questions aside, you want to see more really breakthrough performances.
Although Stagedoor has its enjoyable observational moments in its depiction of budding young entertainers stretching their wings, it also has an aimless quality.
Shiva's most impressive achievement here is her ability to communicate universal verities through specific details.
Watching these pint-sized Lizas resuscitate a dying popular art in a ghost-town vacation resort, you don't know whether to laugh or cry for the loony resilience of the Broadway spirit.
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.
Performing is something [these kids] need to do. And Stagedoor shows them doing it -- blindly, bravely, determinedly.
Alexandra Shiva's Stagedoor is a sloppy and only mildly engaging documentary about Stagedoor Manor, a legendary summer performing-arts camp in the Catskills.
The movie jumps from scene to scene, too scattered to make a strong connection with anything, or anyone, in particular.
This sketchy documentary portrait of a summer camp for teenagers with Broadway stars in their eyes remains a cool distance from its subject.
The documentary only scratches the surface of these lives, but it remains goodhearted and agreeable throughout.
... bears an unfortunate resemblance to one of the ambitious three-week productions the Stagedoor Manor campers strive to put on.
Divas-in-training, overacting, pouting, and enough angst to fill a season of reality TV... but there are also some terrific performances by some extremely talented kids.
If you're already a self-acknowledged Theater Geek, you'll find a lot to enjoy in Stagedoor. And if you're not, you'll probably have a good time anyway.
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