Backstage (Canadian TV series)

Backstage is a Canadian drama television 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.

Backstage
Genre	Drama Performing arts
Created by	Jennifer Pertsch Lara Azzopardi
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 composer	Andrew Austin
Opening theme	"Spark" by Stefanie McCarol
Country of origin	Canada
Original language	English
No. of seasons	2
No. of episodes	60 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producers	Brian Irving Jennifer Pertsch Tom McGillis George Elliott Lara Azzopardi
Producer	Brian Irving
Camera setup	Single-camera
Running time	22–25 minutes
Production company	Fresh TV
Original release
Network	Family Channel
Release	March 18, 2016 (2016-03-18) – September 30, 2017 (2017-09-30)

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

Season	Episodes		Originally aired
			First aired	Last aired
1	30		March 18, 2016 (2016-03-18)	September 30, 2016 (2016-09-30)
2	30		July 28, 2017 (2017-07-28)	September 30, 2017 (2017-09-30)

Cast

Main article: List of Backstage characters

• Devyn Nekoda as Vanessa
• Alyssa Trask as Carly
• Josh Bogert as Miles
• Aviva Mongillo as Alya
• Matthew Isen as Jax
• Julia Tomasone as Bianca
• Adrianna Di Liello as Jenna
• Colin Petierre as Sasha
• Mckenzie Small as Scarlett
• Romy Weltman as Kit
• Isiah Hall as Denzel (season 1)
• Kyal Legend as Julie
• Chris Hoffman as Park
• Jane Moffat as Helsweel
• Thomas L. Colford as Beckett (season 2)

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

• The primary source for performers and writers is the end credits of episodes.

Season 1

"Songs from Backstage, Vol. 1"
Single by Backstage Cast
Released	March 18, 2016 (2016-03-18)
Genre	Pop
Length	10:29
Label	Cardinal Point
Songwriter(s)	Various

Songs from Backstage, Vol. 1^[13]

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Performer(s)	Length
1.	"Spark"	Andrew Austin	Stefanie McCarol	3:15
2.	"Heartbeats"	Emery Taylor	Aviva Mongillo	3:36
3.	"Heartbeats (Acoustic)"	Emery Taylor	Aviva Mongillo	3:37

"Songs from Backstage, Vol. 2"
Single by Backstage Cast
Released	March 25, 2016 (2016-03-25)
Genre	Pop
Length	5:23
Label	Cardinal Point
Songwriter(s)	Various

Songs from Backstage, Vol. 2^[14]

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Performer(s)	Length
1.	"I Don't Wanna Hear It"	Jeff Milutinovic	Kasey Brown	2:22
2.	"Who You Lookin'"	Dave Sorbara	Laura Nikolic	3:01

"Songs from Backstage, Vol. 3"
Single by Backstage Cast
Released	April 8, 2016 (2016-04-08)
Genre	Pop
Length	5:56
Label	Cardinal Point
Songwriter(s)	Various

Songs from Backstage, Vol. 3^[15]

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Performer(s)	Length
1.	"Going Home"	Rob Melamed	Maya Killtron	2:53
2.	"Elevator"	Andrew Austin Jeff Milutinovic	Mckenzie Small	3:03

"Songs from Backstage, Vol. 4"
Single by Backstage Cast
Released	April 22, 2016 (2016-04-22)
Genre	Pop
Length	5:21
Label	Cardinal Point
Songwriter(s)	Various

Songs from Backstage, Vol. 4^[16]

No.	Title	Writer(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 McLarnon	Andrew Austin	2:47

"Songs from Backstage, Vol. 5"
Single by Backstage Cast
Released	May 13, 2016 (2016-05-13)
Genre	Pop
Length	7:21
Label	Cardinal Point
Songwriter(s)	Various

Songs from Backstage, Vol. 5^[17]

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Performer(s)	Length
1.	"Shot Me Down"	Emery Taylor	Aviva Mongillo	4:53
2.	"Gimme Some L"	TBA	TBA	2:28

"Songs from Backstage, Vol. 6"
Single by Backstage Cast
Released	June 3, 2016 (2016-06-03)
Genre	Pop
Length	7:29
Label	Cardinal Point
Songwriter(s)	Various

Songs from Backstage, Vol. 6^[18]

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Performer(s)	Length
1.	"Born at the Right Time"	Tom Westin	Kelly McCluskey	2:48
2.	"Eyes of the Camera"	Andrew Austin	Mckenzie Small	2:41
3.	"Eyes of the Camera (A Cappella)"	Andrew Austin	Mckenzie Small	2:00

"Songs from Backstage, Vol. 7"
Single by Backstage Cast
Released	June 24, 2016 (2016-06-24)
Genre	Pop
Length	5:34
Label	Cardinal Point
Songwriter(s)	Various

Songs from Backstage, Vol. 7^[19]

No.	Title	Writer(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 Brown	2:57

"Songs from Backstage, Vol. 8"
Single by Backstage Cast
Released	September 16, 2016 (2016-09-16)
Genre	Pop
Length	9:03
Label	Cardinal Point
Songwriter(s)	Various

Songs from Backstage, Vol. 8^[20]

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Performer(s)	Length
1.	"Until You Loved Me" ("Step, Sister!" part 7)	Andrew Austin	Andrew Austin	3:29
2.	"Music Gonna Make You Feel Alright"	Mark Domitric	Maya Kiltron	3:20
3.	"Move Over"	Igor Simoes Correia	TBA	2:14

"Songs from Backstage, Vol. 9"
Single by Backstage Cast
Released	September 30, 2016 (2016-09-30)
Genre	Pop
Length	9:06
Label	Cardinal Point
Songwriter(s)	Various

Songs from Backstage, Vol. 9^[21]

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Performer(s)	Length
1.	"Spin Yourself in Circles"	Rob Melamed	Rob Melamed	3:00
2.	"Beating of the Drum"	Ryan McLarnon	Aviva Mongillo	3:39
3.	"Phat Beat"	Igor Simoes Correia	Laura Nikolic Samples	2:27

"Songs from Backstage, Vol. 10"
Single by Backstage Cast
Released	October 14, 2016 (2016-10-14)
Genre	Pop
Length	6:56
Label	Cardinal Point
Songwriter(s)	Various

Songs from Backstage, Vol. 10^[22]

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Performer(s)	Length
1.	"Watch Me Get It"	Mark Domitric Rich Kidd	Rich Kidd	2:56
2.	"Cake"	Emery Taylor Rob GF	Rob GF	4:00

Songs from Backstage, Vol. 11
EP by Backstage Cast
Released	November 11, 2016 (2016-11-11)
Genre	Pop
Length	11:19
Label	Cardinal Point

Songs from Backstage, Vol. 11^[23]

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Performer(s)	Length
1.	"The Fool"	Emery Taylor Andrew Austin	Julia Tomasone Aviva Mongillo Capri Anderson Emily Persich	2:51
2.	"Surfacing"	Kevin Krouglow	TBA	2:36
3.	"When the Light Shines"	Kevin Krouglow	Kevin Krouglow	3:14
4.	"Colour Me Happy"	Andrew Austin Scott Oleszkowicz	Josh Bogert Aviva Mongillo	2:38

"Songs from Backstage, Vol. 12"
Single by Backstage Cast
Released	October 14, 2016 (2016-10-14)
Genre	Pop
Length	6:56
Label	Cardinal Point
Songwriter(s)	Various

Songs from Backstage, Vol. 12^[24]

No.	Title	Writer(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	TBA	3:05
3.	"Fresh"	Emery Taylor	Roshin	3:10

Season 2

Songs from Backstage Season 2, Vol. 1
Soundtrack album by Backstage Cast
Released	March 16, 2018 (2018-03-16)
Genre	Pop
Length	47:29
Label	Grayson Matthews

Songs from Backstage Season 2, Vol. 1^[25]

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Performer(s)	Length
1.	"Night Full of Stars"	Andrew Austin	Josh Bogert	2:35
2.	"Welcome Me Back"	Andrew Austin	Aviva Mongillo	2:24
3.	"On the Line"	Ryan McLarnon		1:39
4.	"Overdrive"	Rob Melamed		2:24
5.	"Bluebird"	Rob Melamed	Emily Persich	1:24
6.	"Outside the Box"	Jeff Milutinovic		1:29
7.	"Love Don't Fight Fair"	Andrew Austin	Andrew Austin	2:07
8.	"Rolling Stone"	Igor Simoes Correia	Andrew Austin	3:21
9.	"In the Bullring"	Jeff Milutinovic		2:24
10.	"Something Shiny"	Andrew Austin	Julia Tomasone	2:40
11.	"Peace"	Andrew Austin Kate Hewlett	Julia Tomasone	1:46
12.	"Lost and Found"	Ryan Kondrat John La Magna Rob James	Rob James	2:22
13.	"No Picnic"	Andrew Austin	Josh Bogert	1:41
14.	"Only Me Now"	Ryan Kondrat John La Magna Adaline	Adaline	2:03
15.	"Those Eyes"	Ryan McLarnon Andrew Austin	Aviva Mongillo Mckenzie Small Josh Bogert Julia Tomasone	2:07
16.	"Wild"	Kevin Krouglow	S.Woo	2:52
17.	"Fall In"	Kevin Krouglow	Kevin Krouglow	4:31
18.	"You & I"	Ryan Kondrat John La Magna Rob James Andrew Austin	Andrew Austin	1:51
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 4, 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

• Backstage at Family Channel (Canada)
• Backstage at Disney Channel (U.S.)
• Backstage at IMDb