Theater Camp, a loving send-up of “theater kid” culture, premiered at the Sundance Film Festival to high praise from critics. Months later, Searchlight Picture’s sincere comedy starring Molly Gordon (The Bear) and Ben Platt (Pitch Perfect) quietly released in theaters, overshadowed by Barbenheimer fever. That’s why P.T., Antonio, and I wanted to give this heavily improvised indie film a starring role in this episode. We discuss our own personal connections to theater, debate whether or not this film can appeal to a broader audience, compare the film to the work of Christopher Guest, consider how the film represents teaching, and attempt to discern what the film’s satire has to say about art, commerce, and social media. Podcast isn’t home…but, is it, kind of? I think it kind of is.

Image Credit: IndieWire

Movie News Check-In 2:48 A strike update and a quick box office update.

What is Theater Camp? 13:55

Are We “Theater Kids”? 17:53

The Short Take 26:42 What did we think of the film overall?

The Recommendation Algorithm 34:46 Beyond theater nerds, who would like this movie?

The Rhetorical Situation 39:49 What does this film have to say about arts education?How does it represent teachers and teaching?

SPOILER MODE 57:38 Favorite performance? Funniest bit? What is this film trying to say?

Oscars Watch 1:26:09 We dream big about this film’s Oscars potential (especially in original song).

Intro and outro music is “Divers,” by Hara Noda. Movie News Check-In music is “Meet Me On the Bridge” by Trio Leo. The Rhetorical Situation music is “Well of Knowledge” by Cercles Nouvelles. Spoiler Mode music is “Thinking of Luther” by The New Fools. All music licensed through Epidemic Sound.

Logo art: Illustration 73265080 © Worldofvector | Dreamstime.com

Get full access to The Long Take at thelongtake.substack.com/subscribe