Overview

• The Nick Davis–directed film had its world premiere at TIFF on Sept. 6 at the Royal Alexandra Theatre, with an additional screening set for Sept. 7 at Scotiabank Theatre.
• Backed by executive producer Judd Apatow, the project secured a CBC pre-acquisition for Canadian rights and attracted private investors.
• The 1972 Toronto production featured future stars Martin Short, Eugene Levy, Gilda Radner, Paul Shaffer and Victor Garber, drawing such strong crowds that it moved from the Royal Alexandra to the Bayview Playhouse for a long run.
• With little surviving footage of the stage show, the documentary relies on contemporary interviews, period-appropriate animation and adjacent archival material to tell the story.
• Early festival reviews highlight the affectionate portrait and persuasive thesis while noting the emphasis on the most famous alumni and limited attention to tougher chapters.