The time has arrived for the Sequel to "Center Stage"

Meryl Cates | Oct 23, 2008 | there are 3 comments 3
Center Stage, 2000

Center Stage, 2000

Back in 2000, when I first went to see Center Stage, I remember being thrilled.  It was a hot movie, with dreamy characters, and best of all, it was about dance.  The film was everything a teen could hope for, and indeed, everyone was mesmerized by the charming world of dance.

For all the fans (dancers and non-dancers alike) that fell in love with the movie, it's almost time to recapture the glory. Center Stage: Turn it Up is the sequel to the movie that seemed to jumpstart a trend of dance films, and touch an audience that has now seen dance-off after dance-off, but keeps coming back for more.  Check out the trailer after the jump.

Distributed by Sony Pictures Australia and not as publicized as its predecessor, the film has gone under the radar in the U.S. but will be in theaters in Australia on October 30th.   However, it will be premiered on the Oxygen network on November 1st at 8pm.  Bringing back some of the old favorites, like Ethan Stiefel (as Cooper Nielson) and Peter Gallagher (as Jonathon Reeves), its similarities to the original seem to end there, trading in the ballet for a more hip-hop edge.

The sequel, by Australian Director Steven Jacobson, is again set in the fictitious American Academy of Ballet.   This time around, dancer Kate Parker (played by actress Rachele Brooke Smith) auditions for the academy, but her unpolished technique presents a problem for the Director Jonathon (Peter Gallagher).  With the help of her former hockey-playing love interest (Kenny Wormald) she searches to find her true place in the dance world.

While there are some returning characters from the original, the story seems to be taking on a completely different direction, looking more like Save the Last Dance 2 or some of the others, with every frame.   For those who will miss the showing, or would just like to add it to the DVD library, Sony Pictures will be releasing Center Stage: Turn it Up on DVD and Blu-ray in January.

So, the story line has a new twist, and the characters appear to be as lovable as the first group, but I can't be sure we'll be falling in love all over again, perhaps, just falling in like.

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tags Ballet, Jazz, Hip Hop, Tap, Modern, Broadway, Ballroom, Teacher, Enthusiast, Parent, Retailer, Studio, Competitions & Conventions, Performance, Center Stage: Turn it Up (all tags)


The time has arrived for the Sequel to "Center Stage" | 3 Comments | Post a Comment
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Not Feeling It

Ugh. I can't believe I'm saying this, but not another dance movie! I swear, those people who spoof disaster movies, epics, and scary movies are going after us next. I'd love to see a movie with real depth that has dance in it, but maybe isn't central to the theme (alla Dirty Dancing or Chicago). There needs to be something for non-dancers to relate to, otherwise why should mainstream audiences care?

user icon Wendy Garofoli | Oct 23, 2008 | rated none by 0 others

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thats so funny you say that about the spoofs because they have already been filming one, i think its called snowflake!

<3 Kelsey.. user icon kelseyself | Oct 27, 2008 | rated none by 0 others

[ Parent ]

Exactly My Sentiments...

  I really don't think they needed to make a sequel for the sake of making a sequel.  I am missing the days when the story lines weren't all the same, and dance was a great supplement to a wonderful movie, like The Turning Point and those you have mentioned.  I thought it was most interesting how unpublicized this movie has been, essentially a straight to DVD, which is never a good sign.

user icon Meryl Cates | Oct 23, 2008 | rated none by 0 others

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