Backstage
Genre
Created by
Starring
  • Devyn Nekoda
  • Alyssa Trask
  • Josh Bogert
  • Aviva Mongillo
  • Matthew Isen
  • Julia Tomasone
  • Adrianna Di Liello
  • Colin Petierre
  • Mckenzie Small
  • Romy Weltman
  • Isiah Hall
  • Kyal Legend
  • Chris Hoffman
  • Jane Moffat
  • Thomas L. Colford
Theme music composerAndrew Austin
Opening theme"Spark"
by Stefanie McCarol
Country of originCanada
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons2
No. of episodes60 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producers
ProducerBrian Irving
Camera setupSingle-camera
Running time22–25 minutes
Production companyFresh TV
Original release
NetworkFamily Channel
ReleaseMarch 18, 2016 (2016-03-18) –
September 30, 2017 (2017-09-30)

Backstage is a Canadian drama series about a performing arts high school created by Jennifer Pertsch and Lara Azzopardi. The series aired in Canada on Family Channel from March 18 to December 9, 2016, and in the United States on Disney Channel from March 25 to September 30, 2016. The series was also released on Netflix in early 2017, with season two premiering on the streaming service on September 30, 2017.[citation needed] The series' ensemble cast includes Devyn Nekoda, Alyssa Trask, Josh Bogert, Aviva Mongillo, Matthew Isen, and Julia Tomasone.

Premise

The trials and tribulations of the students at Keaton School of the Arts, which includes dancers, singers, musicians, and artists. The characters frequently break the fourth wall, talking to the viewers in so-called "confessionals".[1]

Episodes

Main article: List of Backstage episodes
SeasonEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast aired
130March 18, 2016 (2016-03-18)September 30, 2016 (2016-09-30)
230July 28, 2017 (2017-07-28)September 30, 2017 (2017-09-30)

Cast

Main article: List of Backstage characters

Production

Actors in the series are all real dancers and musicians embodying the true spirit of the performing arts.[2] Directors for the series include top music video directors such as RT!, Director X, Wendy Morgan, and Warren P. Sonoda as well as Mario Azzopardi and Lara Azzopardi. The first season production order consisted of 30 episodes.[3]

On May 10, 2016, it was announced that Backstage was renewed for a 30-episode second season for a 2017 broadcast on Family Channel in Canada.[4] On September 30, 2017, the show's cast revealed on social media that the entire second season had been picked up by Netflix.[5]

Broadcast

The series premiered on Family Channel in Canada on March 18, 2016, and on Disney Channel in the United States on March 25, 2016. Disney Channel secured the license for the series in several countries in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.[6] It premiered on Disney Channel in the United Kingdom and Ireland on May 9, 2016,[7] and on Disney Channel in Australia and New Zealand on October 28, 2016.[8]

The second season had its world premiere on July 28, 2017 in the UK and Ireland.[9] The entire second season was released in Australia on the ABC Me app and on the ABC iview on-demand service from September 15 to October 15, 2017.[citation needed] In the United States, the second season was released on Netflix on September 30, 2017.

Reception

Critical

Backstage has received positive, albeit lukewarm reviews from critics. Common Sense Media gave the series three out of five stars, saying that while it "doesn't really break new ground", it "does touch on many issues that are worthwhile for kids".[10]

U.S. ratings

Viewership and ratings per season of Backstage
Season Episodes First aired Last aired Avg. viewers
(millions)
Date Viewers
(millions) 		Date Viewers
(millions)
1 30 March 25, 2016 (2016-03-25) 1.23[11] September 30, 2016 (2016-09-30) 0.90[12] 0.95

Music

Season 1

"Songs from Backstage, Vol. 1"
Single by Backstage Cast
ReleasedMarch 18, 2016 (2016-03-18)
GenrePop
Length10:29
LabelCardinal Point
Songwriter(s)Various
Songs from Backstage, Vol. 1[13]
No.TitleWriter(s)Performer(s)Length
1."Spark"Andrew AustinStefanie McCarol3:15
2."Heartbeats"Emery TaylorAviva Mongillo3:36
3."Heartbeats (Acoustic)"Emery TaylorAviva Mongillo3:37
"Songs from Backstage, Vol. 2"
Single by Backstage Cast
ReleasedMarch 25, 2016 (2016-03-25)
GenrePop
Length5:23
LabelCardinal Point
Songwriter(s)Various
Songs from Backstage, Vol. 2[14]
No.TitleWriter(s)Performer(s)Length
1."I Don't Wanna Hear It"Jeff MilutinovicKasey Brown2:22
2."Who You Lookin'"Dave SorbaraLaura Nikolic3:01
"Songs from Backstage, Vol. 3"
Single by Backstage Cast
ReleasedApril 8, 2016 (2016-04-08)
GenrePop
Length5:56
LabelCardinal Point
Songwriter(s)Various
Songs from Backstage, Vol. 3[15]
No.TitleWriter(s)Performer(s)Length
1."Going Home"Rob MelamedMaya Killtron2:53
2."Elevator"
  • Andrew Austin
  • Jeff Milutinovic
Mckenzie Small3:03
"Songs from Backstage, Vol. 4"
Single by Backstage Cast
ReleasedApril 22, 2016 (2016-04-22)
GenrePop
Length5:21
LabelCardinal Point
Songwriter(s)Various
Songs from Backstage, Vol. 4[16]
No.TitleWriter(s)Performer(s)Length
1."Dig Deep (Miles Version)"
  • Andrew Austin
  • Ryan McLarnon
  • Kate Hewlett
  • Josh Bogert
  • Aviva Mongillo
2:34
2."Lost in Contemplation"Ryan McLarnonAndrew Austin2:47
"Songs from Backstage, Vol. 5"
Single by Backstage Cast
ReleasedMay 13, 2016 (2016-05-13)
GenrePop
Length7:21
LabelCardinal Point
Songwriter(s)Various
Songs from Backstage, Vol. 5[17]
No.TitleWriter(s)Performer(s)Length
1."Shot Me Down"Emery TaylorAviva Mongillo4:53
2."Gimme Some L"TBATBA2:28
"Songs from Backstage, Vol. 6"
Single by Backstage Cast
ReleasedJune 3, 2016 (2016-06-03)
GenrePop
Length7:29
LabelCardinal Point
Songwriter(s)Various
Songs from Backstage, Vol. 6[18]
No.TitleWriter(s)Performer(s)Length
1."Born at the Right Time"Tom WestinKelly McCluskey2:48
2."Eyes of the Camera"Andrew AustinMckenzie Small2:41
3."Eyes of the Camera (A Cappella)"Andrew AustinMckenzie Small2:00
"Songs from Backstage, Vol. 7"
Single by Backstage Cast
ReleasedJune 24, 2016 (2016-06-24)
GenrePop
Length5:34
LabelCardinal Point
Songwriter(s)Various
Songs from Backstage, Vol. 7[19]
No.TitleWriter(s)Performer(s)Length
1."Dig Deep (Alya Version)"
  • Andrew Austin
  • Ryan McLarnon
  • Kate Hewlett
  • Aviva Mongillo
  • Josh Bogert
2:37
2."Step, Sister!" (parts 1–5)
  • Kevin Krouglow
  • Igor Simoes Correia
  • Jeff Milutinovic
  • Rob Melamed
Kasey Brown2:57
"Songs from Backstage, Vol. 8"
Single by Backstage Cast
ReleasedSeptember 16, 2016 (2016-09-16)
GenrePop
Length9:03
LabelCardinal Point
Songwriter(s)Various
Songs from Backstage, Vol. 8[20]
No.TitleWriter(s)Performer(s)Length
1."Until You Loved Me" ("Step, Sister!" part 7)Andrew AustinAndrew Austin3:29
2."Music Gonna Make You Feel Alright"Mark DomitricMaya Kiltron3:20
3."Move Over"Igor Simoes CorreiaTBA2:14
"Songs from Backstage, Vol. 9"
Single by Backstage Cast
ReleasedSeptember 30, 2016 (2016-09-30)
GenrePop
Length9:06
LabelCardinal Point
Songwriter(s)Various
Songs from Backstage, Vol. 9[21]
No.TitleWriter(s)Performer(s)Length
1."Spin Yourself in Circles"Rob MelamedRob Melamed3:00
2."Beating of the Drum"Ryan McLarnonAviva Mongillo3:39
3."Phat Beat"Igor Simoes Correia
  • Laura Nikolic
  • Samples
2:27
"Songs from Backstage, Vol. 10"
Single by Backstage Cast
ReleasedOctober 14, 2016 (2016-10-14)
GenrePop
Length6:56
LabelCardinal Point
Songwriter(s)Various
Songs from Backstage, Vol. 10[22]
No.TitleWriter(s)Performer(s)Length
1."Watch Me Get It"
  • Mark Domitric
  • Rich Kidd
Rich Kidd2:56
2."Cake"
  • Emery Taylor
  • Rob GF
Rob GF4:00
Songs from Backstage, Vol. 11
EP by
Backstage Cast
ReleasedNovember 11, 2016 (2016-11-11)
GenrePop
Length11:19
LabelCardinal Point
Songs from Backstage, Vol. 11[23]
No.TitleWriter(s)Performer(s)Length
1."The Fool"
  • Emery Taylor
  • Andrew Austin
  • Julia Tomasone
  • Aviva Mongillo
  • Capri Anderson
  • Emily Persich
2:51
2."Surfacing"Kevin KrouglowTBA2:36
3."When the Light Shines"Kevin KrouglowKevin Krouglow3:14
4."Colour Me Happy"
  • Andrew Austin
  • Scott Oleszkowicz
  • Josh Bogert
  • Aviva Mongillo
2:38
"Songs from Backstage, Vol. 12"
Single by Backstage Cast
ReleasedOctober 14, 2016 (2016-10-14)
GenrePop
Length6:56
LabelCardinal Point
Songwriter(s)Various
Songs from Backstage, Vol. 12[24]
No.TitleWriter(s)Performer(s)Length
1."Switch"Andrew Austin
  • Mckenzie Small
  • Aviva Mongillo
  • Julia Tomasone
3:23
2."Letting You Go"
  • Igor Simoes Correia
  • Jeff Milutinovic
TBA3:05
3."Fresh"Emery TaylorRoshin3:10

Season 2

Songs from Backstage Season 2, Vol. 1
Soundtrack album by
Backstage Cast
ReleasedMarch 16, 2018 (2018-03-16)
GenrePop
Length47:29
LabelGrayson Matthews
Songs from Backstage Season 2, Vol. 1[25]
No.TitleWriter(s)Performer(s)Length
1."Night Full of Stars"Andrew AustinJosh Bogert2:35
2."Welcome Me Back"Andrew AustinAviva Mongillo2:24
3."On the Line"Ryan McLarnon 1:39
4."Overdrive"Rob Melamed 2:24
5."Bluebird"Rob MelamedEmily Persich1:24
6."Outside the Box"Jeff Milutinovic 1:29
7."Love Don't Fight Fair"Andrew AustinAndrew Austin2:07
8."Rolling Stone"Igor Simoes CorreiaAndrew Austin3:21
9."In the Bullring"Jeff Milutinovic 2:24
10."Something Shiny"Andrew AustinJulia Tomasone2:40
11."Peace"
  • Andrew Austin
  • Kate Hewlett
Julia Tomasone1:46
12."Lost and Found"
  • Ryan Kondrat
  • John La Magna
  • Rob James
Rob James2:22
13."No Picnic"Andrew AustinJosh Bogert1:41
14."Only Me Now"
  • Ryan Kondrat
  • John La Magna
  • Adaline
Adaline2:03
15."Those Eyes"
  • Ryan McLarnon
  • Andrew Austin
  • Aviva Mongillo
  • Mckenzie Small
  • Josh Bogert
  • Julia Tomasone
2:07
16."Wild"Kevin KrouglowS.Woo2:52
17."Fall In"Kevin KrouglowKevin Krouglow4:31
18."You & I"
  • Ryan Kondrat
  • John La Magna
  • Rob James
  • Andrew Austin
Andrew Austin1:51
19."Me and You"Andrew Austin
  • Josh Bogert
  • Mckenzie Small
2:27
20."Are You Listening"Andrew Austin
  • Mckenzie Small
  • Aviva Mongillo
  • Stephanie La Rochelle
3:22

References

  1. ^ Backstage | Season 1: Episode 1 Confessional - Alya. Backstage – The Official Channel. April 19, 2016. Retrieved June 13, 2017 – via YouTube.
  2. ^ Julianna Cummins (July 6, 2015). "Family Channel Goes Backstage". Playback Online. Retrieved March 25, 2016.
  3. ^ "Fresh TV Takes Centre Stage with a New Performing Arts School Drama, Backstage, for Family" (Press release). Fresh TV. July 6, 2015. Archived from the original on June 17, 2016. Retrieved July 21, 2017.
  4. ^ "DHX Television Orders Second Season of Hit Original Drama Backstage" (Press release). DHX Media. May 10, 2016. Retrieved June 29, 2016.
  5. ^ Madison MacGregor on Instagram. Instagram (September 30, 2017). Retrieved on September 30, 2017.[full citation needed]
  6. ^ "DHX Media Licenses Backstage to Disney Channel in the US and Internationally" (Press release). DHX Media. February 8, 2016. Retrieved March 20, 2016 – via PR Newswire.
  7. ^ "Disney Channel UK". Disney UK. Archived from the original on May 5, 2016. Retrieved May 5, 2016.
  8. ^ Disney Aus [@DisneyAUSInfo] (October 5, 2016). "Series Premiere: #BackstageTV (@BackstageTVShow) premieres Friday 28th October at 5pm AEDT on Disney Channel Australia & New Zealand" (Tweet). Retweeted by Backstage TV [BackstageTVShow]. Retrieved October 5, 2016 – via Twitter.
  9. ^ "Backstage – Series 2 Episode 1 – And We're Back..." Radio Times. Archived from the original on July 20, 2017. Retrieved July 30, 2017.
  10. ^ "Backstage TV Review". Common Sense Media. Retrieved June 20, 2016.
  11. ^ Mitch Metcalf (March 28, 2016). "Top 150 Friday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 3.25.2016". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on March 30, 2016. Retrieved May 3, 2016.
  12. ^ Mitch Metcalf (October 3, 2016). "Top 150 Friday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 9.30.2016". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on October 5, 2016. Retrieved October 3, 2016.
  13. ^ "Songs from Backstage, Vol. 1 – Single by Backstage Cast". Disney Channel. March 18, 2016. Retrieved August 24, 2016 – via Apple Music.
  14. ^ "Songs from Backstage, Vol. 2 – Single by Backstage Cast". Disney Channel. March 25, 2016. Retrieved August 24, 2016 – via Apple Music.
  15. ^ "Songs from Backstage, Vol. 3 – Single by Backstage Cast". Disney Channel. April 8, 2016. Retrieved August 24, 2016 – via Apple Music.
  16. ^ "Songs from Backstage, Vol. 4 – Single by Backstage Cast". Disney Channel. April 22, 2016. Retrieved August 24, 2016 – via Apple Music.
  17. ^ "Songs from Backstage, Vol. 5 – Single by Backstage Cast". Disney Channel. May 13, 2016. Retrieved August 24, 2016 – via Apple Music.
  18. ^ "Songs from Backstage, Vol. 6 – Single by Backstage Cast". Disney Channel. June 3, 2016. Retrieved August 24, 2016 – via Apple Music.
  19. ^ "Songs from Backstage, Vol. 7 – Single by Backstage Cast". Disney Channel. June 24, 2016. Retrieved August 24, 2016 – via Apple Music.
  20. ^ "Songs from Backstage, Vol. 8 – Single by Backstage Cast". Disney Channel. September 16, 2016. Retrieved September 17, 2016 – via Apple Music.
  21. ^ "Songs from Backstage, Vol. 9 – Single by Backstage Cast". Disney Channel. September 30, 2016. Retrieved October 1, 2016 – via Apple Music.
  22. ^ "Songs from Backstage, Vol. 10 – Single by Backstage Cast". Disney Channel. October 14, 2016. Retrieved October 15, 2016 – via Apple Music.
  23. ^ "Songs from Backstage, Vol. 11 – EP by Backstage Cast". Disney Channel. November 11, 2016. Retrieved May 21, 2017 – via Apple Music.
  24. ^ "Songs from Backstage, Vol. 12 – Single by Backstage Cast". Disney Channel. November 28, 2016. Retrieved May 21, 2017 – via Apple Music.
  25. ^ "Songs from Backstage Season 2, Vol. 1 by Backstage Cast". Disney Channel. March 16, 2018. Retrieved March 17, 2018 – via Apple Music.

External links

Family Channel original programming
Categories