BWW Blog: Miranda Jackel - Speech & Debate

What can I say about Speech & Debate??? It's a film that is so amazing in every way that I don't even know if the Dictionary has the words to describe a level of awesomeness this high. The best way I can explain the utter genius of this film is a John Hughes-esque movie-but for theater geeks!!! (If that description doesn't sound like the best thing in the Universe to you, get out, because in the words of A. Ham, "I will never understand you".) The film is based on a play by 2016 TONY-winning playwright (for The Humans), Stephen Karam, which premiered at Roundabout Underground in 2007, the space's inaugural production. The film follows three teenage misfits as they attempt to revive their school's speech and debate club, while speaking their minds and discovering the power of true friendship. Speech & Debate is chock-full of brilliant performances, hilarious and heartbreaking all at once. Liam James is fabulous as the awkward geek and aspiring journalist Solomon, playing a very different role from his last, the uber-creepy Adam Warren on ABC's The Family (PSA: If you haven't watched it, you MUST because it's AMAZING, and he was so good on it). And if you're like me, and you thought it wasn't humanly possible to love Austin P. McKenzie anymore (BECAUSE HE'S SO TALENTED AND HE SLAYED SO MUCH IN Spring Awakening), you are wrong. I know, I know-you don't see how it's possible. But he gives a beautiful performance in the role of Howie, the angsty, rebellious new kid in town that will bring your love for him to a whole new level. And, then there's Sarah Steele, AKA my spirit animal. Steele, who is currently performing in The Humans (also by Karam) on Broadway is absolutely PHENOMENAL as Diwata. Every theater geek will see themselves in this crazy teenage theater fanatic. If you're studying acting and want to know what it means to make huge choices and BE BOLD, look no further. Steele gives a performance that is deep and layered, while also being quirky and so funny it'll make your stomach hurt. Diwata is an aspiring actress (albeit not a very talented one) and a very "serious" YouTube vlogger. After her "stunning" audition, complete with costumes galore (lollollol) for her school's production of Once Upon a Mattress, Diwata is cast as featured ensemble, which she has NO CHILL about!! After discovering a branch of speech and debate called dramatic interpretation (which actually sounds SO COOL), Diwata sets out to bring back the school's club. In addition to the three fantastic leads, there are plenty of wonderful performances by theater geeks' faves in the minor roles. Skylar Astin, Gideon Glick (fun fact: he was Howie in the Off-Broadway production, and also, HE IS SO AWESOME I LOVE HIM SO MUCH), and the Official Cool Dad of Theater Geeks Worldwide, Lin Manuel-Miranda!!!!!! Special shoutout to Janeane Garfalo, who was marvelous as Diwata's mom. And I MUST mention the movie's equivalent of an 11 o'clock number!!! While doing what can only be described as a performance art piece to George Michael's "Freedom", Mary Warren of The Crucible and gay Abe Lincoln come together in front of the Salem, Oregon school board (donning nude bodysuits) to fight for the creation of a Gay-Straight Alliance. It's pretty fantastic. This movie is truly outstanding in every way. Drama teachers: get ready-once this movie takes the theater geek community by storm (and I KNOW it will), all your students will be begging to do the play on which the movie is based. If these roles aren't the definitions of "dream role", I don't know what is! You'll laugh, you'll cry-whether you're going through the trials and tribulations of high school now, or it's a distant memory, absolutely everyone can relate to the utter reality and sheer humanity of Speech & Debate. This was an early screening, so when exactly the film will officially come out is TBD, but I truly cannot wait! I will certainly be returning (multiple times ;) )

when it happens to see what is HANDS-DOWN my new favorite movie!!

*TOTALLY UNRELATED NOTE: I just discovered (thank you, BWW message board) this AWESOME parody of Jay-Z's "Empire State of Mind" called "Broadway State of Mind". I'm obsessed. Check it out!

FOLLOW ME! Twitter: @mirandajackel & Instagram: @mirandajackelnyc.

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