Catch Me if You Can . Excited ?

[iLoveBroadway4]

Posted: 7/12/10 at 8:40pm

I didn't see the premiere in Seattle or workshop in NYC but I've read that it's coming to Broadway .
Director: Jack O'brien
Choreographer: Jerry Mitchell
Frank Abagnale, Jr.: Aaron Tveit
Carl Hanratty: Norbert Leo Butz
Frank Abagnale, Sr.: Tom Wopat
Paula Abagnale: Rachel de Benedet
Cheryl Ann: Felicia Finley
Brenda Strong: Kerry Butler

Updated On: 7/12/10 at 08:40 PM

[Mildred Plotka]

Posted: 7/12/10 at 8:43pm

It needs a huge overhaul. The Seattle production was rocky at best. Butz and Tviet were great though. If they can focus on those 2, reduce many of the needless bits of comedy (that weren't even funny), cut the extraneous non-plot driven numbers, and smarten up McNally's lazy, cliche driven book, they'll have a hit.

[lightguy06222]

Posted: 7/12/10 at 8:54pm

Mildred- Agreed! I was underwhelmed with the Seattle try-out. I also thought the set was pretty miserable.

[TheatreFan4]

Posted: 7/12/10 at 8:56pm

^ Well the whole show was brought together on a budget of about $4 million.

[kidbroadway2]

Posted: 7/12/10 at 8:58pm

As much as I like Butz, I wouldn't mind if Nathan Lane took over the role. Doubt its gonna happen though.

[Mildred Plotka]

Posted: 7/12/10 at 9:29pm

The set was the least of my problems with that production. I can't remember much of it actually. LCD screen mostly. I'm sure they'll improve that for Broadway. I hope the naughty nurse number and the accordion driven audience sing-along are gone too.

[philly03]

Posted: 7/12/10 at 9:35pm

I agree... this has so much anticipation but it needs a lot of work. The set, I also agree, was horrible. There's a lot to do, just as Mildred said, but seems like it'll be a hit. Or the next 9 to 5.

Theatrefan4: $4 MIL is a lot... WONDERLAND's world premiere had a legitimate set that was much much better at $3 MIL (with projections to boot).

[Mildred Plotka]

Posted: 7/12/10 at 9:46pm

I just think many are expecting the next Hairpray. And going off the demos. The songs out of context are fine. But I left Catch Me wondering if Shaiman writes to further the plot or if he merely is really good at writing the musical theatre equivalent to a pop-song from the era. It sort of felt like he took a greatest hits CD of the era and wrote his own version of each track. I feel this to a lesser extent in Hairspray but it had a superb book. McNally's book for Catch Me made his book for The Rink look like high art. And I didn't feel O'Brien and Mitchell's work was innovative enough to make the back and forth between the 2 characters work.

Updated On: 7/12/10 at 09:46 PM

[TheatreFan4]

Posted: 7/12/10 at 10:07pm

Theatrefan4: $4 MIL is a lot... WONDERLAND's world premiere had a legitimate set that was much much better at $3 MIL (with projections to boot).

I don't care. Projections are often cheaper for one, & they weren't paying the salaries of Norbert Butz, Aaron Tveit, Kerry Butler, Tom Wopat, Linda Hart, Shaiman & Wittman, Jack O'Brien, & Jerry Mitchell.

Plus Frank Wildhorn.