Details
Movie Description
All Jody Sawyer (Amanda Schull) has ever wanted is to be a ballerina in the American Ballet Company. Her dream begins to come true when she's accepted to the company's Academy in New York City. Along with street-smart Eva (Zoë Saldana), veteran student Maureen (Susan May Pratt), sensitive Charlie (Sascha Radetsky), and flamboyant Erik (Shakiem Evans), Jody embarks on the stringent Academy training program with the hope of being one of the select few chosen for the Company. But Jody has her own style and has to contend with criticism that she doesn't have good feet and her body type is wrong. In the meantime, she finds herself involved with Cooper (Ethan Stiefel), a talented Harley-riding dancer and choreographer.
The masterful dance sequences in Nicholas Hytner's CENTER STAGE are enriched by the performances of real-life American Ballet Theatre star Stiefel, and those of Schull, who was an apprentice at the San Francisco Ballet when she was cast. Peter Gallagher stars as the head of the ballet company, Donna Murphy is featured as an instructor at the academy, and Debra Monk portrays an overbearing mother to Maureen (Susan May Pratt), the best ballerina in the class who is also harboring a dark secret.
Film Notes
Theatrical Release Date: May 12, 2000
Filmed in New York City.
Ethan Stiefel, who portrays Cooper, is a star of the American Ballet Theatre.
Ilia Kulik, who portrays Sergei, won a gold medal in ice skating at the 1998 Winter Olympics.
Industry Reviews
"...The movie is loaded with lively dance sequences....Ms. Schull [carries] the movie away with her energy and grace..."
New York Times - p.E18 - A. O. Scott
"...Slick and enjoyable....the choreography is graceful..."
Movieline - p.35 - Stephen Farber
"...A compelling look behind the perfect pirouette..." -- Rating: B
Entertainment Weekly - p.95 - Eileen Clarke
"...Slick and enjoyable....The choreography is graceful..."
Movieline - Stephen Farber (06/01/2000)
"...[The film has an] entertaining 10-minute finale."
USA Today - Mike Clark (06/02/2000)
"...A CHORUS LINE'S charismatic Priscilla Lopez makes an exuberant impression..."
Los Angeles Times - Kenneth Turan (05/12/2000)
"...The movie casts real dancers in many of the roles, and that provides an obvious standard of excellence that gives the movie an underlying authenticity..."
Chicago Sun-Times - Roger Ebert (05/12/2000)
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