TRR photo by Richard A. Ross “Camp” cast members pose for a photo at the gala reception at the Liberty Theatre with director Todd Graff, third from left, and President/CEO of the Sullivan County Chamber of Commerce Jacquie Leventoff, extreme right. (Click for larger image)

Liberty red carpet for 'Camp' director and cast

By RICHARD A. ROSS

LIBERTY, NY — Anticipation built to a fever pitch on August 15 for fans of Todd Graff, the director of the independent film “Camp” and his young cast.

The van was late due to residual delays from the blackout, but as the van doors swung open at 2:30 p.m., the grinning director and actors were swarmed by an eager crowd.

Making their way into the Liberty Theatre Café by way of the red carpet, Graff and cast members had little time to get inside before posing for photos. Liberty Theater Manager Alan Berube greeted Graff on the occasion of the film’s Sullivan County premiere.

Sullivan County Chairlady Leni Binder presented Graff and Stagedoor Manor founder and owner Carl Samuelson with certificates of special recognition. Liberty Mayor Rube Smith extended his welcome. Also on hand were County Manager Dan Briggs, Sullivan County Chamber of Commerce President Jacquie Leventoff, Legislator Bob Kunis and Roberta Lockwood, president of the Sullivan County Visitors Association.

Graff spent three summers as a camper and two years as a counselor at Stagedoor Manor, a performing arts and theatre camp in Loch Sheldrake, NY. In a recent interview on WJFF’s show “Making Waves,” Graff described his camp experience as “transformative.”

The movie was filmed on location at Stagedoor Manor over a period of 23 days but it took Graff five years to bring the film to life through the combined production of Jersey Films, Killer Films and IFC films.

The story revolves around a group of campers who don’t fit into the context of their home lives and who discover new self-images in the unique atmosphere of the camp. Those teenage years were difficult for Graff but camp was the first step on his way to becoming an actor, screenwriter and director. Graff wrote the film as a valentine to the experience he had there 30 years ago.

Graff was nominated for a Tony Award for his performance in “Baby” and was the screenwriter for “Used People,” “The Preacher’s Wife” and “Coyote Ugly.”

When asked why he chose to direct this film, Graff said, “I couldn’t imagine anyone else directing it. It was so personal to me. The sad recent history of movie musicals is that they had directors who didn’t understand musicals.” He cited Richard Attenborough who directed “A Chorus Line” and John Huston who directed “Annie.”

“Recent movie musicals such as ‘Chicago’ directed by John Marshall and ‘Moulin Rouge’ directed by Baz Luhrmann have begun to reverse that trend,” Graff said.

“Kids who are isolated, or living in their heads or becoming too good too early at passing for a version of themselves,” form the core of the characters of the film. In the film, coming to the camp is a “haven like Oz,” affording a chance to accept themselves. The celebration was topped off by 240 current campers from Stagedoor Manor singing “I Belong to the Stars.”

For more information call 845/292-3000.

See more images from the opening here.