CATCH ME IF YOU CAN PREVIEW THOUGHTS- Page 4
CATCH ME IF YOU CAN PREVIEW THOUGHTS
#75re: CATCH ME IF YOU CAN PREVIEW THOUGHTS
Posted: 8/3/09 at 10:53pm
I thought the sing-along was a fun idea, but as Sauja mentioned its presence underscored the haphazard use of the "variety show within a show" concept. A sing-along might indeed be a part of a 1960s variety show, but this audience has just spent most of the evening watching a garden variety "copying scenes from the movie" book musical which had some brief mention of a variety show in the opening few minutes.
I personally think the 1960s-TV-show-within-a-show is an interesting concept, I hope Catch Me embraces it and makes it a consistent motif. When the NBC Peacock appeared on that big TV screen I felt like I was seeing something original, something I hadn't seen on a Broadway stage before. (I can't say I felt that way for much of the rest of the show.) If handled correctly this wouldn't have to detract from the impact and meaning of the story. I also think Frank Jr's objectification of women would be better portrayed with the sensibilities of 1960s TV, as opposed to the overstated soft-core porn found in "Doctor's Orders" and "Jet Set". I'd suggest that the over-the-top sex crazed tone be saved for "You Gotta Pay For Love" where it makes sense. (I thought that number really worked.)
Updated On: 8/3/09 at 10:53 PM
#76re: CATCH ME IF YOU CAN PREVIEW THOUGHTS
Posted: 8/11/09 at 2:59pmHmm, I rather liked it! Updated On: 7/15/10 at 02:59 PM
#77Catch Me If You Can is TOO LATE TO FIX!
Posted: 8/11/09 at 3:14pm
it's a blog entry - much like any post here. And the blogger doesnt say it's doomed. It's posed as a question.
There are 1,000,0001+ things that can happen to the show between Seattle (a REGIONAL production) and Broadway. And knowing this creative team - they will do whatever it takes to make it all come together.
"A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men" - Willy Wonka
#78Catch Me If You Can is TOO LATE TO FIX!
Posted: 8/11/09 at 3:15pmI just got back from Seattle last night and I was able to catch this twice while there (Friday night and Sunday matinee). I generally don't like musicals (or at least my taste for them has waned over the past few years), but I really enjoyed myself during this show. My only issue is, as many have mentioned, the inconsistent use of the "variety show." It's unclear if all of the characters are aware that they are actually appearing on a TV show, especially with Frank's parents. The show is of course obvious at the beginning, gets a passing recognition at the end of "Don't Break the Rules" (Sorry if that's not the name of the song, my playbill is in a suitcase) where Frank comes out on stage to steal the spotlight back from Hanratty, and then re-emerges like an hour later with the sing along. If they can find a more consistent thread for the variety show, the show itself will flow more easily. As it stands now it's a book musical with interuptions from a framing device.
#79Catch Me If You Can is TOO LATE TO FIX!
Posted: 8/11/09 at 3:49pm
It seems as if (I say seems because I haven't seen it yet) like the framing device is used as a way to make Tveit's character more likable, since he's the protagonist. Is this true?
In the movie DiCaprio's character is extremely unlikable.
RentBoy86
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/15/05
#80Catch Me If You Can is TOO LATE TO FIX!
Posted: 8/11/09 at 7:35pmCraig, you keep saying this is "regional" production, but then the NY Post article says that people say the production is "broadway" ready with all of its design. Where is the "Broadway" caliber in those sets? Because the band moves back and forth? It looks like a cheaply produced show to me, and sadly, it's probably very expensive. And, no, you don't need a huge massive set to survive, but a show like this needs something special, and right now it's not the book (as I've read on here), or the songs (as I've heard).
#81Catch Me If You Can is TOO LATE TO FIX!
Posted: 8/11/09 at 8:16pm
I think it's absurd to ask if a show is "too late to fix" when there isn't a Broadway opening scheduled. Having seen the show I think it has a lot going for it, but it the overall concept could use some refining. Perhaps that's why this wasn't a full fledged pre-Broadway tryout?
Adamgreer, Frank jr is extremely likeable in this production. Both his character and Hanratty's are quite a bit different than what's seen in the movie. I think Butz's Hanratty is a lot more interesting than Tom Hank's. I'd prefer to see a bit more darkness in Frank jr.
antz
Chorus Member Joined: 8/9/07
#82Catch Me If You Can is TOO LATE TO FIX!
Posted: 8/12/09 at 2:21am
It's not too late to fix, but it does need a little work (a little). Unlike Young Frankenstein (which I did not like at all), this show is really close.
Saw it tonight, and without repeating too much on this thread, they need a new ending (two brilliant 11 o'clock numbers (Fly, Fly Away and Goodbye) and then it just fizzles. Intended to be emotional, it falls short.
They also need to tighten the book. Especially in Act I which feels very slow in parts.
The score is great! (on par with Shaiman's South Park and Hairspray work)
Direction and choreography also work well.
I hope the leads in the cast are preserved whenever this makes it to Broadway - they're phenomenal. Aaron is convincing and in fine, fine voice. Norbert in a way reprises his Dirty Rotten Scoundrel's role, but it works, and Kerry Butler - well - WOW!
Set is not that bad and the concept works, but it could use a little more glitz and glamor.
They could get rid of the sing-a-long number (It does nothing to move the show forward and isn't really all that entertaining).
I look forward to eventually seeing it in NYC.
x_stephen_x
Swing Joined: 7/31/08
#83Catch Me If You Can is TOO LATE TO FIX!
Posted: 8/12/09 at 2:40amJust got back from seeing the show, and thought it was great! not perfect, but then what is? I'm too lazy to read the whole post so dont know if this has been covered before but does anyone know if there are any recordings of the show?
#84Catch Me If You Can is TOO LATE TO FIX!
Posted: 8/12/09 at 8:25am
I keep calling it a regional production because that's what it is. The budget isn't even close to what a Broadway production would have for sets, lighting, costumes, etc.
So who cares what the NY Post or anyone says whether it's Bway ready or not with the designs. Maybe they think it's fine the way it is. And it might or might not be. But with more money available to the producers - it's very possible (and dare I say extremely likely) that the show's design elements will change.
"A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men" - Willy Wonka
#85Catch Me If You Can is TOO LATE TO FIX!
Posted: 8/12/09 at 8:51am
Those LCD screens in the background don't look very low budget to me. They may "look cheap" compared to a lavish set, but I'm pretty sure that they aren't.
And let's be honest: out of town try outs are there to fix minor things (cut a song, switch two scenes etc.). It would be ridiculous and a waste of time & money to put on a so called regional production that is totally different from what's supposed to end up on Broadway.
Updated On: 8/12/09 at 08:51 AM
#86Catch Me If You Can is TOO LATE TO FIX!
Posted: 8/12/09 at 9:09am
Elke-
While with many productions you'd be correct. But some productions have done 180s from regional productions to Broadway.
No idea of the numbers - but if you go from a $3-4 million budget to a $15 million budget - there can be a huge difference in what your creative (designers) can do, change, etc.
All this is speculation anyway - so moot. The only way to know what will hit the stage when it comes to Broadway is to wait for it to hit the stage on Broadway. Until then - it's all conjecture.
"A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men" - Willy Wonka
#87Catch Me If You Can is TOO LATE TO FIX!
Posted: 8/12/09 at 9:24am
Sure. I don't doubt that those numbers are more or less correct. But would a creative team want to put on a "low budget" out of town production, which then gets trashed because of the weak design elements? Good luck to that team while trying to fix the bad word of mouth on their way to Broadway. Now *that* will cost a lot of money.
Mind you, this is generally speaking. I haven't seen CMIYC so I'm not trashing it at all. I love the score and would love to see it on Broadway. :)
#88Catch Me If You Can is TOO LATE TO FIX!
Posted: 8/12/09 at 2:40pmWould they want to? No. But a budget is a budget, no? You can only use what you have...
"A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men" - Willy Wonka
#89Catch Me If You Can is TOO LATE TO FIX!
Posted: 8/12/09 at 2:45pm
Craig, how can it be a purely "regional" production when there is a major commercial producer involved (and has been for quite some time)?
People seem to be forgetting Margo Lion's attachment to the project.
Tonya Pinkins: Then we had a "Lot's Wife" last June that was my personal favorite. I'm still trying to get them to let me sing it at some performance where we get to sing an excerpt that's gone.
Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.
Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.
#90Catch Me If You Can is TOO LATE TO FIX!
Posted: 8/12/09 at 2:53pmA budget is a budget. This was a regional production. All else is irrelevant, no?
"A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men" - Willy Wonka
actormcfamous
Stand-by Joined: 1/12/06
#91Catch Me If You Can is TOO LATE TO FIX!
Posted: 8/12/09 at 3:10pm
From what I've heard through the theatre grapevine, the 5th has put it up its normal producing costs for a show in their mainstage season (in the ballpark of 2.5 million). The two New York producers, Margo Lion and Hal Luftig, have put up an additional million or so, bringing the production's budget to somewhere between $3.5 million and $4 million.
Updated On: 8/12/09 at 03:10 PM
#92Catch Me If You Can is TOO LATE TO FIX!
Posted: 8/12/09 at 6:13pmhttp://www.seattleweekly.com/2009-08-12/arts/stage-review-shrill-thrill/
"This thread reads like a series of White House memos." — Mister Matt
#93Catch Me If You Can is TOO LATE TO FIX!
Posted: 8/12/09 at 6:23pm
"But would a creative team want to put on a "low budget" out of town production, which then gets trashed because of the weak design elements?"
Based on the reviews I've read this is hardly what's happened. The show has a strong score and an interesting story, even if the telling needs a bit of tweaking. The reviews I've read have been mostly favorable. I think it was a smart idea to stage this show on a small scale regionally to see what worked and what didn't before spending 15 million on Broadway. If only Pirate Queen, Tarzan and many other expensive failures had considered doing this.
Could it be that big budget design elements just aren't all that important in comparison to the songs and story? For what Spiderman reportedly flushed down the toilet nine productions like this could be staged.
Videos