Catch Me If You Can
Catch Me If You Can
dramamama611
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/4/07
#1Catch Me If You Can
Posted: 4/22/11 at 9:58pm
I know there is a preview thread on this and the Will Tveit get nominated thread, but couldn't find just a thoughts thread so.........
Caught the show Thursday night and I was HIGHLY disappointed in nearly every aspect - and I really wanted to like it. First I thought the concept didn't work well -- I just didn't buy the premise: You almost shot me, but let me tell these strangers in the airport my side of things? And as a TV show? (When tv had NOTHING to do with this story?)
The sex appeal of the scantily clad women was overdone. Sure they try to play with the idea of Frank "doing it all to get the girl" but we don't see the playboy side of him. He only TELLS us it's for girls at the begining. First rule of playwriting: SHOW US, Don't TELL us. I also found a number of the women's costumes actually looked more like cheap Halloween outfits, particularly the nurse costumes.
As much as I adore both Tveit and Butz, I felt they weren't given enough to sink their teeth into. Two dimensional characters in a haphazardly told story. I didn't feel like any character was fully realized and, truth be told, I was often bored.
The set also bored me. I didn't mind the orchestra on stage, but I found the constant lift of the incoming set pieces to get tiresome -- in the same three spots, over and over. Sitting in the 2nd row of the mezzanine, I was often watching holes in the stage, just waaaaiiiitttting to see what would be coming up on the elevator.
The score? Meh. I couldn't hum a single song for you now, a scant 24 hours later.
This is not a show I'll be reccommending to friends, students, etc -- but I don't think I'd actively try to talk anyone out of going.
I was SO excited about this season, and I've been hugely disappointed.
(Note: Still have a number of shows that are getting great buzz on my list to see: Jerusalem, War Horse, Normal Heart and Book of Mormon. Hopefully they will lift my spirits!)
If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it?
These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.
#2Catch Me If You Can
Posted: 4/22/11 at 10:04pmDamn, I'll be seeing the show tomorrow. Will report back. Sorry you didn't like it!
dramamama611
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/4/07
#2Catch Me If You Can
Posted: 4/22/11 at 10:10pm
I didn't hate it, and both my kids liked it!
Hope you enjoy it more than did I!
If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it?
These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.
#3Catch Me If You Can
Posted: 4/22/11 at 10:37pmThanks for the report. I agree with everything you said.
A little swash, a bit of buckle - you'll love it more than bread.
#4Catch Me If You Can
Posted: 4/22/11 at 10:53pm
I saw it and went in wanting to love it but it did feel a little weak. The score is a little all over the place, but some numbers like "Live in Living Color", "Don't Break the Rules", "Goodbye", and "Strange But True" were great. I also agree that the concept was a little silly, but I didn't even hear the line about him doing it all for girls.
Many people bashed Kerry Butler, and although it's not a performance worthy of winning best featured actress, she does a great job. She performed her song well, and she can really sing.
Are they publishing the score? Because most of Frank's songs are great.
BwyLuvr
Swing Joined: 3/17/08
#5Catch Me If You Can
Posted: 4/22/11 at 11:18pm
dramamama- you called it right. I sat 1st row mezz. on Wed. nt., and like you, kept guessing which stage trapdoor would open next... a sort of Broadway Whack-a-Mole.
The songs bored me. No hooks, nothing memorable. If anything, each solo song went on forever, and ever, and ever. And ever.
The lead, Frank, Jr., was soooo shallow. I was hoping that there was a more compelling reason for his life of crime other than the company of women. Further exploration of Frank's relationship with his father might have given the story more credibility and depth.
My son liked it, though. And he's not one for musicals.
And in no particular order:
The Producers;
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels;
Legally Blonde;
God of Carnage;
A Steady Rain;
Hairspray;
Grey Gardens;
Spamalot;
Jersey Boys;
The Odd Couple;
Curtains;
39 Steps;
Jersey Boys;
Doubt;
Rent;
Mamma Mia;
Chicago;
Cats;
Next to Normal;
Memphis;
Addams Family;
Billy Elliot;
Rock of Ages;
La Cage aux Folles;
Catch Me If You Can;
Book of Mormon; Spider-Man; Sister Act; Master Class; How to Succeed...; Priscilla Queen of the Desert; War Horse; Once: Peter and the Starcatcher; Porgy and Bess: One Man Two Guvnors
dramamama611
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/4/07
#6Catch Me If You Can
Posted: 4/23/11 at 5:53am
I don't mind the shallowness of the character....he was shallow in real life, I just don't like the lack of detail in who he was. I mean if he's a skirt chaser....why don't we see him suceeding?
Also, I'm quite disappointed that this version of the story still continued to show his parents in the negative light that the movie did. According to the book, his parents were not the terrible people as protrayed in these two venues. His fathher was a hard working, and upstanding man.
If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it?
These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.
PremierFan
Swing Joined: 4/12/11
#8Catch Me If You Can
Posted: 4/23/11 at 10:14amSaw the show on Wednesday and loved it! The group I was with thought it was wonderful! I loved the chemistry between Norbert and Aaron and thought the score was terrific. Some of the songs I was most impressed with were Butter Outta Cream, Goodbye, Fly, Fly, Away, and Jet Set. Thought Jerry Mitchell's choreography had that 1960's feel to it. Overall, a great show! Will definitely be back to see it again.
#9Catch Me If You Can
Posted: 4/23/11 at 10:40amCount me in with the lovers! I truly enjoyed everything about it!
EarthLuau
Chorus Member Joined: 8/5/08
#10Catch Me If You Can
Posted: 6/12/11 at 11:38am
Love this show! So tonight at the Tony Awards, I am hoping it will win Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical (Norbert Leo Butz), Best Sound Design (Steve Canyon Kennedy) and Best Orchestrations (Marc Shaiman and Larry Blank).
I think a Best Musical win will be too far-fetched, but if The Scottsboro Boys gets that award, I will be happy too! :)
#11Catch Me If You Can
Posted: 6/12/11 at 12:36pmI also love CATCH ME. Don't understand all the hate.
dramamama611
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/4/07
#12Catch Me If You Can
Posted: 6/12/11 at 12:41pmWhat hate? (In this thread, anyway.) I didn't hate it, I just didn't love it or even like it strongly. Everything isn't black or white.
If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it?
These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.
#13Catch Me If You Can
Posted: 6/12/11 at 1:17pmSaw it twice and I loved it also....Hubby loved it, bff loved it.......very underrated .......hoping for a Butz win tonight!
EarthLuau
Chorus Member Joined: 8/5/08
#14Catch Me If You Can
Posted: 7/31/11 at 10:11pmListening to the cast recording now, and I still cannot believe it wasn't nominated for Best Original Score. Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman did a wonderful job. I hope this musical would run for at least a year.
threetwoone
Featured Actor Joined: 7/30/09
#15Catch Me If You Can
Posted: 7/31/11 at 11:00pmI saw the show in Seattle and was just wondering whether the three preprises of 'Goodbye' we're still in the show before 'Fly, Fly Away'? LOVED that whole part after the Stong family scene, before Fly, Fly Away.
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