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.

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.

DVD Features:

Region 1
Keep Case
Letterbox - 1.85
Audio:
Dolby Digital 5.1 - English
Dolby Digital Stereo 2.0 - English
Dolby Digital Stereo 2.0 - French
Additional Release Material:
Deleted Scenes
Featurette
Alternate Scenes: Extended Dance Sequences
Music Video: Mandy Moore
Isolated Audio Track: Music Score
Audio Commentary: Nicholas Hytner - Director
Trailers: Original Theatrical Trailer
Interactive Features:
Scene Access
Interactive Menus
Text/Photo Galleries:
Production Notes
Biographies: Cast & Crew

Amanda Schull: Actress
Peter Gallagher: American Actor
Debra Monk: Actress/...Madison County
Donna Murphy: Actress
Susan May Pratt: Actress
Eion Bailey: Actor
Shakiem Evans: Actor
Ilia Kulik: Actor
Sascha Radetsky: Actor
Zoe Saldana: Actress, STAR TREK (2009)
Ethan Stiefel: Ballet Star

Nicholas Hytner: Director/"King George"

Laurence Mark: Producer/Executive

Caroline Baron: Producer

Carol Heikkinen: Screenwriter

George Fenton: Composer

Tariq Anwar: Editor

"...The movie is loaded with lively dance sequences....Ms. Schull [carries] the movie away with her energy and grace..."
"...Slick and enjoyable....The choreography is graceful..."
"...A compelling look behind the perfect pirouette..." -- Rating: B
"...[The film has an] entertaining 10-minute finale."
"...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..."
"...A CHORUS LINE'S charismatic Priscilla Lopez makes an exuberant impression..."