Putting the Q in Quirky

Twenty-three years or so ago, there was a delightful and under-appreciated movie called "Camp."  It was a movie about those unique summer camps that are devoted to the musical comedy and teaching kids how to be in...musical comedies.  It thrived on those moments where a ten-year-old girl might be singing something that is totally inappropriate for her.  But it also had a lot of heart and a nifty romance between some of the kids.

In 2023, we have "Theater Camp," which is really the same movie and sensation.  This one is shot in mock documentary style and dares to be different from "Camp."   And doesn't succeed.

Nor is it as good.

"Theater Camp" is about a musical comedy camp called Adiron Dacts.   In the first five minutes, the camp director goes to a production of "Bye Bye Birdie" and one of the strobe lights puts her into a coma.  Sounds quirky?   The problem with "Theater Camp" is that it's nothing but quirky.   And little heart.

Unlike "Camp," this one focuses on the teachers and they're not that interesting.  You have the camp director's son who is a loser and may let a neighboring camp take over the property.   Two of the teachers, played by Ben "Evan Hansen" Platt and Molly Gordon, bicker throughout about nothing really.  The challenge here is that Platt and Gordon and several of the other actors are also the screenwriters and directors.  They are obviously in love with their work.

I was not.

The next night, I rewatched "Camp" and was amused and entertained all over again.   

I'll never watch "Theater Camp" again.

LEN'S RATING:  Two stars.

Dinner last night:  Grilled steak salad.