CATCH ME Review 4/23 Mat

[steven22]

Posted: 4/23/11 at 8:41pm

Saw CATCH ME IF YOU CAN and despite what everyone else seems to think, I LOVED the show. Everything about it. Especially Aaron and the songs. I saw the show from front row orchestra center. The stage is a little high but I was fine.

I really don't feel like typing a long review however, I must say that this ensemble is the best I have seen in a recent show. All of them are so into it and so thrilling (especially Alex Ellis, Angie Schworer, Katie Webber). I liked the entire cast. Surprisingly, I enjoyed the Family Tree number. I thought the set worked very well for this SPECIFIC show. Aaron cracked at the beginning of Live in Living Color. Aaron really did an AMAZING job with Goodbye. Kerry didn't seem too old however, up close she looks older than the character she is playing.

Norbert deserves the Tony, just saying. Aaron deserves a nomination, at least. Tom Wopat was outstanding. Really like Aaron's portrayal of Frank Jr. Much more depth to the character than when he played Gabe in NEXT TO NORMAL. Aaron did a great job acting in CATCH ME. Any other questions, just ask.

[shrekster224]

Posted: 4/23/11 at 8:58pm

I saw the Wednesday matinee and enjoyed it as well, but not as much as you did. My seats were partial view front orchestra and missed a few things, but all in all they were fine. I agree that Norbert was outstanding and Aaron is very good. Wopat was good in his role as well. I didn't know that Nick Wyman is AEA president, even though he was wearing the pin at the stage door. He did the best with his small role that he could, and the people behind me LOVED Linda Hart. I agree that the score is also very good. Yea the ensemble was great! They didn't act like a "team" per say, but they were good. Glad you loved it!

[dramamama611]

Posted: 4/23/11 at 9:00pm

Glad you liked it (more than I did), but I think you are far from "unique" in your opinion. Seems to pretty much be a 50/50 split.

[americanboy99]

Posted: 4/23/11 at 9:49pm

Glad to hear you enjoyed yourself. Definitely in my top two for the year this year in terms of musicals.

[Pianolin717]

Posted: 4/23/11 at 10:46pm

I agree with everything you said :)

Seriously enjoyed this musical! And like you said! I was worried Kerry might seem too old but not one bit! GAH! I can't wait to see it again!! One of my favorites of all time!

[AvenueQResident]

Posted: 4/23/11 at 10:59pm

Add me to the camp who enjoyed it. I saw Friday evening's performance, and was preparing for the worst after hearig the bad reports...and ended up finding it very entertaining.

Sure, it's not as good as 'Hairspray', but I think the score is fun and suits the show very well.

And okay, I agree that the concept of breaking the fourth wall and the whole television idea (the sponsorships?!?) was a bizarre direction to take, but the charisma Aaron brings to the role and these sections won me over.

What I loved was the chemistry Aaron and Norbert had together. I found them funny, captivating and completely engrossed in the journey/chase/escape they were pursuing. Heck, I loved watching them interact with other characters, especially the family dinner scene and Hanratty interviewing Frank's parents!

While I feel Kerry's not so strong on the acting front, she delievers an outstanding performance with 'Fly, Fly Away'.

I think both Aaron and Norbert are both worthy of nominations, as they elevated the material superbly.

[East Village]

Posted: 4/24/11 at 12:35pm

Saw it Saturday night and put me in the love it camp as well. Aaron and Leo's performances were standouts for this season or any other -- truly something I was amazed to have seen.

[steven22]

Posted: 4/24/11 at 1:47pm

Forgot to mention, Aaron cracked big time during Live in Living Color.

[Noel&Cole]

Posted: 4/24/11 at 3:43pm

I love Aaron's performance. I do hope he gets a nomination. I thought he had so much charisma.

[BroadwayGuy12]

Posted: 4/25/11 at 11:31am

I saw it yesterday and enjoyed it. Not the best thing I've seen and I was hoping for a bit more, but once I stopped looking for a new Hairspray it became much more enjoyable. I really liked Tveit ("Goodbye" was my favorite moment of the show) and hope he gets nominated.

[doodlenyc]

Posted: 4/25/11 at 12:01pm

I was at Saturday's matinee as well. I enjoyed much of the show, especially Butz and Wopat. The score was fine and serviceable. Aaron was fine, but just that...not great. I didnt find him all that charismatic, and that's needed for the role. He had some vocal issues, but not too distracting. Kerry's number was wonderful, but she was like wood the rest of the time. That "Family" number was painful especially that set, but loved Linda Hunt.

[steven22]

Posted: 4/25/11 at 12:20pm

I thought Aaron had much charm and charisma, but that's just me. I also really liked the family tree number, I thought it was clever. I thought Kerry's role was small and not much to do but she handled it well. Did anyone else find Brandon Wardell's character, Agent Dollar annoying? His character bothered me. Liked him though. Can't imagine him as Frank Jr. though (he's an understudy for Tveit).

[shrekster224]

Posted: 4/25/11 at 12:30pm

He probably wont end up going on much since there's a s/b. Jay A Johnson is probably great in the role.

[steven22]

Posted: 4/25/11 at 12:40pm

Jay hasn't gone on yet.

[shrekster224]

Posted: 4/25/11 at 12:49pm

I know, just saying he's probably good. Since he was a great Claude in Hair.

[Zinone]

Posted: 4/25/11 at 12:58pm

I saw it last Thursday night. I might have been a bit coloured by the lukewarm-at-best reviews but it was my least favourite show out of 6 I saw during my trip (Mormon, Sister Act, Memphis, Anything Goes and How to Succeed being the others).

I was glad to see Aaron in person since I missed Next to Normal and Norbert was excellent, but I just didn't care much about anything. The songs were okay in the moment but pretty forgettable, and I have no desire to hear any of them again... Fly Fly Away is a lovely song spoiled by a bizarre vocal.

Also, a small detail but the marks on the stage made it look dirty from the Mezz. It came across as pretty sloppy.

[steven22]

Posted: 6/12/11 at 1:05am

Saw the show again tonight Sat 6/12/11 and the it's in great shape. Anyone wondering about student rush, I got mezz left row s. A little far but still a great view.