Although overlooked by many, those who know the 2003 movie Camp tend to love it, and it certainly has a bit of a cult following of people who enjoy not just its music but also how inclusive and affirming it is of everyone from the gay and the overweight, to the nerds and the genderqueer.
It’s also notable for being the screen debut of Anna Kendrick.
Now it may be getting a sequel, at least according to Camp’s writer and director, Todd Graff, who told Playbill, that’s he planning to make Camp 2: Freaks In Nature.
The original movie followed one summer at a musical theatre camp where things are shaken up by the arrival of something they rarely ever see – a popular, real-life straight boy. While filled great musical numbers, it’s also notable for being surprisingly gritty and taking on some unusual themes in ways that are exceptionally brave for a teen flick. However it sounds like the sequel will be rather different, although still containing renditions of a lot of classic Broadway tunes.
Graff says, “My problem with doing a sequel was that I didn’t want the lame, cheesy version where they come back as counselors. But I wanted to be able to use those actors. So, I hit on an idea that’s never been done before for a sequel. It doesn’t make any cheesy choices. They’re not counselors and, in fact, it’s completely meta. It’s as if Charlie Kaufman decided to write the sequel to Camp.”
He’s also hoping to get some Broadway lunimaries to show up (Stephen Sondheim cameo’d in the original), saying “There’s a fantasy musical number [version of] ‘Steppin’ to the Bad Side. So far I’ve gotten ‘yeses’ from Donna Murphy and Patti LuPone. Jerry Mitchell is going to choreograph it.”
As for why he thinks the original still resonates, Graff says, “It had universal themes of feeling like an outsider, finding a community, acceptance, people who are questioning their sexuality, dealing with body issues. That was relatable on the macro level. And then on the micro level, it got all the musical theater details right, so the people it was really about bought into it as well.”
Graff is hoping to get a few of the original cast back, although it’s not clear yet who. Presumably he’ll be crossing his fingers he can line them up before the crowdfunding attempt that he plans to launch soon, after he has workshopped some of the film at the Catskill Theatre Camp where the movie is set. Graff hopes to shoot next year. You can find out more at camp2themovie.com.
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