Catch me if you Can Preview Thread- Page 4

[ReggieonBway]

Posted: 3/13/11 at 5:55pm

Opinions are opinions - and people who argue that their opinion is truth are idiotic. There are basic rules of theater that are not arguable (Sondheim's genius, for instance) but beyond them everything is interpretive.

[Mildred Plotka]

Posted: 3/13/11 at 6:29pm

I don't think anyone is bashing Butler here. Her part and song are just sandwiched into the story. Is like Marc and Scott said, we are going to write a big black lady number, and we don't care how appropriate it is for that moment or its singer. The song is wonderful but it just comes out of nowhere and kills the 2nd Act pacing in terms of relevant plotting. My biggest problem with the Seattle run, and it seems to have continued here, is the songwriters' seeming unwillingness to focus their score for what is best for the show as a whole.

Updated On: 3/13/11 at 06:29 PM

[adamgreer]

Posted: 3/13/11 at 6:42pm

The song is wholly inappropriate both for the character and the moment it appears in the show. Shaiman and Whitman love Butler, though, and they'll never cut it.

The other problem is it's a big 11:00 number that everyone forgets about because, 5 minutes later, Tveit sings another, better, and more appropriate 11:00 number.
Updated On: 3/13/11 at 06:42 PM

[Mildred Plotka]

Posted: 3/13/11 at 6:45pm

I'd say cut the whole character. Her inclusion (and her parents) just stops the show in the worst way. If anything have a chorus member play her in a brief scene and move on. But that won't happen with Butler in the role.

[After Eight]

Posted: 3/13/11 at 7:38pm

"All scores have room for improvement - and frankly, not everybody thinks the world of Kiss Me, Kate or Show Boat."

Of course not. How could those two ever compare to a great score like "Catch Me if You Can?"

"West Side Story is of course one of the greatest musicals ever written (if not THE greatest) but the two aforementioned scores leave quite a bit to be desired


Oh really? By whom? You are a barrel of laughs, Reggie. And incidentally, why is "West Side Story" anointed without caveat? Who decided that? You?

"Opinions are opinions - and people who argue that their opinion is truth are idiotic. There are basic rules of theater that are not arguable (Sondheim's genius, for instance) but beyond them everything is interpretive."

Reggie, reread these two sentences together. According to your own logic, you are idiotic.

Personally, I don't think you are. But I think you are full of contradictions.

Anyhow, I'm glad you liked "Catch Me If You Can." As for me, I'm now going to listen to the far inferior "Show Boat."

[ReggieonBway]

Posted: 3/13/11 at 7:39pm

I don't think I'd be too happy with them cutting it, to be honest - yes, it's inappropriate, and yes, it cuts into the continuity a tad, but it's still a great song.

Plus, if they cut the number and the character, it would completely undermine the second act.

[CRS14]

Posted: 3/14/11 at 10:11am

Saw the first preview on Friday night...

I guess I'm in the minority here but the show was pretty brutal. I wanted to like it - but I just couldn't get into it. The first act dragged on and on and on and if it weren't for knowing that "Goodbye" was coming in the 2nd act, I might have left.

Only 2 of the songs were close to anything I'd want to listen to again. For a "chase" themed show the plot was slow and tiresome. The dialogue was cheesy (as my friend pointed out, the big line at the end between Frank and Carl may have been written by a 3rd grader) and often was identical to the movie which this show just couldn't live up to.

For the characters they were given the actors did enough, but the show didnt evoke an ounce of emotion out of me. It's not funny enough to be a comedy, not engaging enough to be suspenseful, not serious enough to be a drama...but it is expensive enough to be a broadway show, so it's got that going for it come Tony time.

[maguli]

Posted: 3/14/11 at 10:13am

I haven't read the rest of this thread so this may get redundant, but this show was HORRIBLE and here are a few key reasons (this may contain some spoilers):

1) The book: Lines were pulled directly from the movie. The filler lines written for the stage version had no depth (the big Frank and Hanratty emotional moment culminated in "You're pretty cool." Seriously, that's verbatim the line from the show. Then there’s a hug and the show is over.) Watching the show was like watching someone read the movie script aloud but only using every 20th line. As you can imagine, that's insufficient to tell such a complex story. They also have Frank Abagnale Jr. narrate/talk to the audience the entire show, which I think is a cop out. It takes what should be dramatic and suspenseful about the story and makes it campy and lame.

2) The characters: Because of #1, there is no character development. The only real motivation they give Frank for becoming a pilot, a doctor, etc. is that he was lusting for half-naked women, which is really superficial and skirts over what’s actually interesting about the Frank Abagnale Jr. story - his charisma, his intelligence, etc. (I knew when they revealed their artwork which has a female leg on it that something was going to be wrong). Hanratty, who is such a complex character, was given a string of terrible jokes which made him boring and didn’t give Norbert Leo Butz (who is a phenomenal actor) anything to work with. Brenda was talked about a lot in the show but was only in about a scene and a half. Her ballad was good but seemed a little out of place seeing as she had just entered the show about 15 minutes earlier. They spend a lot of the show following the downfall of Frank’s father who becomes a useless drunk, which was also entirely unnecessary. There are also approximately 20 other actors in the show, all of whom just dance around in skimpy costumes and have no actual reason to be on stage.

3) The music: Nothing memorable. I actually don’t even know what to write because it was just so boring. “Fly, Fly Away” and “Goodbye” are decent songs. Kerry Butler, Aaron Tveit, and Norbert Leo Butz all sounded phenomenal, but that could not compensate for the lack of meaningful lyrics or catchy tunes. (There’s one cute love song, but the fact that they made Aaron and Kerry sing it under a sheet with no clothes on made it very wannabe Spring Awakening.)

4) A few other random criticisms: The first scene and the last scene are exactly the same. I get that they wanted to go back to the same place in the story, but they actually did an ENTIRE scene in the show twice = waste of my time. Additionally, some of the lyrics sound like they were written by a first grader. I actually pictured a first grade recital during the “I love Christmas” (or whatever it is) song. There were actually even dancing wreaths on stage. Finally, the story is about an epic chase, yet there was no chasing, no drama, no intrigue, no suspense, no charisma, no interesting storytelling whatsoever happening in this show.

HUGE disappointment.


Updated On: 3/14/11 at 10:13 AM

[Borstalboy]

Posted: 3/14/11 at 10:18am

The one song I heard from this sounded almost exactly like "I've Never Been To Me"....is that one of the "good" songs?

[TimothyGrant]

Posted: 3/14/11 at 12:54pm

I can't wait to see it.

Thanks for the rush/lotto info.

[Famebroadway2]

Posted: 3/14/11 at 3:29pm

I went to the Saturday matinee... It was BORING!!!

I wanted to love it.. I really did but, wow it was DULL. There was no pizazz,no excitement. It was totally flat.

-The score has a few good songs but, most are bland. Goodbye sounds like it was cut from another show and comes out of nowhere.

- The set is AWFUL! Its huge and does nothing but,sit the entire orchestra. IMO this is a major fail.

- the book is long and not that interesting.

- The costumes were a miss. Tan LaDuca character shoes on all the ensemble women...Really?

- The cast were all great. They were trying to work with that they have been given.

- The choreography was fine but, it never hit the greatness that JM choreo usually hits. It kept building but, never quite exploded.

Overall it was a total bore. Even the older people next to us kept nodding off.

[ReggieonBway]

Posted: 3/14/11 at 6:24pm

"Oh really? By whom? You are a barrel of laughs, Reggie. And incidentally, why is "West Side Story" anointed without caveat? Who decided that? You?"

I hope you're not implying that I'm the only person who dislikes Kiss Me, Kate and Show Boat. Their place in musical theater history is, of course, to be respected, but that doesn't mean either of them can match the sheer brilliance of West Side Story - which is, again, my opinion.

"Reggie, reread these two sentences together. According to your own logic, you are idiotic.

Personally, I don't think you are. But I think you are full of contradictions.

Anyhow, I'm glad you liked "Catch Me If You Can." As for me, I'm now going to listen to the far inferior "Show Boat." "

a. That comment wasn't aimed at you. It was a general statement.
b.I never stated that my opinion was fact. I said my piece and then commented that not everyone thinks the world of Kiss Me, Kate or Show Boat - which is a fact. However, I've never once met or talked to a person who doesn't like West Side Story.

And I also never said Show Boat was inferior. It may not be my favorite musical, but it's still remembered nowadays, a qualification that Catch Me If You Can has yet to achieve.

[After Eight]

Posted: 3/14/11 at 7:14pm

"I said my piece and then commented that not everyone thinks the world of Kiss Me, Kate or Show Boat "

Yes, and you also said the scores for both "leave quite a bit to be desired." I'd still like to know what. (Actually, I wouldn't. :) )


"However, I've never once met or talked to a person who doesn't like West Side Story."

I have. Which speaks as much about the assessor as the assessed.

You see, there are no absolutes in this world. Yes, everyone has the right to hold whatever opinion one chooses, but, sorry, no, not all opinions are of equal merit; sound judgment has to be a consideration in assessing any opinion. If someone says "Mr. & Mrs. Fitch" is a greater play than "Hamlet," one cannot assess that person's judgment to be as sound as that of someone who states the reverse. Get my drift?


In any case, you've spoken your peace, and I've spoken mine.

And I'm glad you enjoyed "Catch Me If You Can."

[kyl3fong2]

Posted: 3/14/11 at 9:21pm

Can anybody that has seen the show confirm whether or not this is how "Someone Else's Skin" begins? I found this on YouTube but it sounds different than the way the song begins in the demo recording I had back during the Seattle Run.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9DRWe_5hqY

[Nick Murphy]

Posted: 3/15/11 at 12:40am

Saw the show tonight (Monday). The first half-hour is deadly dull. The show takes off with "Don't Break The Rules" and moves along quite nicely after that. HOWEVER, the first four numbers are dull and repetitive. The production would profit hugely from cutting fifteen minutes from the first half of Act One. Physical production doesn't help the show at all. The huge bandstand is an inappropriate backdrop for most of the book scenes and gives the whole show a visual sameness that we grow tired of pretty early on. The costumes are uninspired and don't help the characters or the show. Act Two plays far better than Act One but the ending seems to go on and on. It's surprising how few laughs there are in the book. How did that happen?

[CockeyedOptimist2]

Posted: 3/15/11 at 12:45am

I saw it tonight, too, and agree with Nick Murphy. I really wanted to like it and found myself surprised with how bored I was throughout the show. The score was tuneful, but unmemorable. It might be one I get to like more listening to it on the recording, but it's nowhere near as good a score as Hairspray. I didn't mind the bandstand and even liked having the orchestra onstage. I had less of a problem with Kerry Butler and her song than others in the thread. I would be surprised if it were to get rave reviews.

[pharmer2000]

Posted: 3/15/11 at 2:26am

I was at the second preview. I totally loved this show. The music and songs are upbeat and fun. Aaron Tveit totally commanded this show with his talent and enthusiastic performance. Norbert Leo Butz played the perfect combination of comedy and serious FBI agent. Tom Wopat delivered an amazing performance as the father going through tough times. I really thought it was brilliant how the character of Frank Jr takes on yet another persona as the host of one of those flashy 1970's television variety shows in order to convey his story. I can't wait to "catch" the show again.

[regnad kcin]

Posted: 3/15/11 at 9:22am

I guess opinions are always going to vary, but I saw the second preview and absolutely loved the show. I'm amazed that some found it boring; I thought the pacing was superb, and that the songs moved the plot along wonderfully. It reminded me of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels in that regard. Aaron Tveit and Norbert Leo Butz are terrific (at least on that most seem to agree). While the character of Brenda could be more developed, I thought Kerry Butler gave an excellent performance with what she had to work with, and the notion that this part could be cut out is silly, since meeting Brenda was clearly such a pivotal part of Frank's journey. While it may not become a classic, overall I thought this was a great night of musical theater.

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 3/15/11 at 10:23am

Count me in the group that was underwhelmed. Saw it Monday night, and went in wanting to love it, but walked out saying, "eh." I just have to echo what some others said before that it is boring and without any suspense. This is about a young man who was SO smart and charming, and achieved so many crazy things you can barely believe it's true, yet we don't get to experience any of the fun that he must have had doing all this stuff. This is especially true about the doctor and lawyer portions of his life.

There is also zero suspense, zero feeling of Norbert looming close behind ready to pounce. Sure they tell us that he's there, but we don't feel any urgency about it.

The variety tv show concept works against them. The set is ugly and grows boring to look at in a hurry. They also seem to pick and choose when the variety show concept will be employed. It's like they don't want to fully commit to the idea because it doesn't always work with the telling of the story. I love the variety shows of the past...give me a Mitzi Gaynor special or Hollywood Palace episode over this any day! If they were really trying to capture the spirit of those old programs they failed. Linda Hart was the only one who "got" that part.

The actors are all working their asses off to make something out of this show, and they are all in good voice. I think Tom Wopat comes off the best of the leads, but his material is a bit boring. Aaron's voice is incredible, and he turns and smiles at the audience a la Daniel Radcliffe in Succeed, but we don't see enough in the book scenes of how he used that smile (and brains) to accomplish all he did.

The score was another letdown. The demo sent out in the mail contained the best songs, even those played only so well in the show. The song for the mom in act 2 went on way too long, and should probably be cut. What did we learn from this number? Why weren't there more numbers with Aaron and Norbert? It should have been more Dirty Rotten Scoundrels-esque. Remember although in real life they wouldn't have had scenes together they are in the construct of the variety show and could have as many duets as they wanted.

I loved Scottsboro this fall, but Book of Mormon has been far and away my favorite musical this year, and unless Sister Act, Baby It's You and/or Wonderland can blow me away I hope it cleans up at the Tonys. Unless this creative team can clean up this show, don't count on across the board raves or the awards to role in.

[Scarywarhol]

Posted: 3/15/11 at 9:26pm

Has anybody who has seen this over the past few nights remember when it got out? I want to see it Saturday, but I have to make it to Port Authority by a few minutes before 11.

[ryanliz2]

Posted: 3/15/11 at 11:25pm

First preview got out right before 11. Probably 10:50ish

[CockeyedOptimist2]

Posted: 3/15/11 at 11:35pm

I was out by 10:45 on Monday night.

Posted: 3/16/11 at 3:05am

I was very meh about the whole show when I saw it in Seattle--on one hand I was pretty excityed for the (rare for me) chance to see a musical so early on in its development, as well as to see stars like Kerri I had always wanted to see. Most embarassing, or telling, is how little I remember clearly about the show now, a year or so later (I think I posted a review here in detail when I saw it...)

It sounds like some thigns have been fixed--like Kerri's role making a *bit* more sense, and maybe the variety show concept is a bit more clear too (though others have discussed how it's dropped and forgotten at several points--a big problem I had with the show). I actually didn't mind the LED and projections in the set, and can't help thinking the set would get tired and boring without them, but I can't really say till I at least see more clips, let alone see the show as it is. And it does sound like some of the cuts have been for the best (OK--from what I remember *all* of the cuts).

Posted: 3/16/11 at 3:45am

BTW if anyone wants a (tiny) glimpse of the sets and how they worked in Seattle, there's a short interview for the Seattle PBS at the time with Terrence McNally which has some very brief clips. I swear youtube used to have several more press clips but they seem to have been removed...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3FfV8aDmE3E

[kyl3fong2]

Posted: 3/16/11 at 2:02pm

I am SO excited to see this show! And seeing all these clips is just getting me even more pumped to see it!