Skip to main content

Deep Dive: Most Valuable Players (2009)

Play Trailer

Film Lens

Most Valuable Players
Most Valuable Players is a documentary about The Freddy Awards, which honors high school musical theatre productions in the Lehigh Valley region of Pennsylvania. The film centers on three schools: Emmaus High School, Parkland High School, and Freedom High School, with a focus on the competition between Emmaus and Parkland as they both perform Les Misérables in 2008. The narrative captures the excitement and tension leading up to the awards ceremony held at the State Theatre in Easton, Pennsylvania. Directed by Matthew D. Kallis and written by Christopher Lockhart, the film features over 300 hours of footage, including rehearsals, interviews, and behind-the-scenes moments. The documentary aims to portray the dedication and passion of the students involved in high school theatre, culminating in the Freddy Awards ceremony on May 22, 2008. The film runs for 96 minutes and was inspired by Lockhart's discovery of a YouTube clip from a previous Freddy Awards ceremony.

Why Watch

  • •See Emmaus and Parkland compete in Les Misérables.
  • •Meet students and teachers behind the high school productions.
  • •Find out what happens at the Freddy Awards ceremony.

Did You Know

•The Freddy Awards ceremony has been held annually since 2008.
•Matthew D. Kallis had previously directed documentaries but not on this scale.
•The film was acquired by the Oprah Winfrey Network in 2010.
•Curt Apduhan, the cinematographer, won an Emmy for a 2003 documentary.

Perfect For

High school theatre fansMusical theatre enthusiastsDocumentary lovers