Closing Night Gala: Theater Camp (North America, Special Events)
Key Cast: Amy Sedaris, Ayo Edibiri, Ben Platt, Jimmy Tatro, Molly Gordon, Noah Galvin, Patti Harrison
Director: Molly Gordon, Nick Lieberman
Producer: Ben Platt, Erik Feig, Jessica Elbaum, Julia Hammer, Marai Zuckerman, Molly Gordon, Nick Lieberman, Noah Galvin, Ryan Heller, Samie Kim Falvey, Will Ferrell
Screenwriter: Ben Platt, Molly Gordon, Nick Lieberman, Noah Glavin
Cinematographer: Nate Hurtsellers
Composer: James McAlister, Mark Sonnenblick
Waiting for Guffman meets Wet Hot American Summer as a ragtag cast and crew of theatre nerds bring extra drama to save their beloved summer camp.
When an unfortunate lighting effect at a middle-school production of Bye Bye Birdie sends revered summer-camp director Joan (Amy Sedaris) into a coma, it could be curtains for her cash-strapped musical theatre program, AdirondACTS. Joan’s son Troy, a social-media finance grifter, has no idea about musical theatre, and a rival summer camp is eyeing off the property. So to the histrionic misfits who work at AdirondACTS as camp instructors – in every sense – the solution is obvious: they’ll put on a show!
Winner of Sundance’s US Dramatic Special Jury Award for Ensemble, Theater Camp is the brainchild of show-pony pals clearly adlibbing out their own adolescence – and it lands. Power couple Nick Lieberman and Molly Gordon (Booksmart) make their feature directing debut and co-wrote the film with Ben Platt (Dear Evan Hansen) and Noah Galvin (The Real O’Neals), the last three of whom also have key onscreen roles. Boosting this mockumentary’s cast are rising comedy stars Jimmy Tatro (Home Economics), Ayo Edebiri (The Bear; The Sweet East, MIFF 2023) and Patti Harrison (Together Together, MIFF 2021), along with Minari’s tiny, delightful breakout Alan Kim. You’ll laugh! You’ll cry! You might even sing and dance!
“Sidesplitting … A quick-witted crowd-pleaser [that] is both mischievously critical and adoring of the microcosm it depicts.” – The Wrap
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Join us early for the red carpet and a drink on arrival, to be followed by the film screening with a special introduction. After the screening, enjoy drinks, canapés and entertainment inspired by the film at MIFF’s famous Closing Night Party held at the iconic Forum Melbourne. Doors at each venue open one hour prior to start time.