Catch me if you Can Preview Thread- Page 5

[kyl3fong2]

Posted: 3/16/11 at 2:24pm

I heard that the role of Cheryl Ann has been reduced to just a step-out role from one of the girls in the ensemble. Is that true?

In the previews in Seattle I remember the character sang a number called "You Gotta Pay For Love" and I noticed that that song is not in the set list someone posted in this thread. So which number does Cheryl Ann sing in now?

[steven22]

Posted: 3/16/11 at 2:37pm

I haven't seen the show yet (seeing it April 23rd), but I heard that Rachelle Rak is now playing the small role of Cheryl Ann. Not sure if she gets an actual song, but I do know that You Gotta Pay for Love was cut.

[kyl3fong2]

Posted: 3/16/11 at 2:50pm

Oh I see, well when you do see the show do let me know how that role plays out now in the storyline!

Where are you sitting for the show when you see it btw?

[adamgreer]

Posted: 3/16/11 at 3:23pm

Rak sings a brief bit of another number as Cheryl Ann. I forget the name of it.

[kyl3fong2]

Posted: 3/16/11 at 5:23pm

Oh so that scene with Cheryl and Frank Jr. is still there just shortened to a small part of some other song?

I was wondering how they did it because Jennifer Garner played Cheryl Ann in the movie and she had a whole scene and not just a few lines you know? Which was why I figured that even though they cut it, they should still keep that scene somewhat in the final product of the show.

[Craig]

Posted: 3/16/11 at 5:45pm

I haven't seen the show yet. But for those that have written posts both during the seattle run and/or here in NYC stating that the show focuses on Frank and his pursuit of women being an issue clearly haven't read the book - or listened to Frank talk about his past.

Psssssst - he did most everything he did to get women. Period. Was everything he got away with interesting - yes. Was he smart and clever. Yes. But if you think his motivation was beyond scoring with women - you missed his true motivation.

I can understand if you don't like it or care for it... but the creators of the show didn't "make it up" or change Frank's motivation from what was the truth.

[Katurian2]

Posted: 3/16/11 at 5:50pm

Craig, I think you're absolutely right in terms of the book and therefore his real life motivations... but I think the film did a fantastic job of really putting the divorce of his parents as the crux of his kicking off into crime. He was (in the film) sick of seeing all this inner turmoil and the collapse of the marriage due to money, so he went to get some so that wouldn't happen to him, and maybe he could make enough to get his parents back together. So, even if Abagnale's motivations irl were purely selfish (which they were, as you said), no one wants to support a character like that onstage. There has to be more honorable intentions at work.

[ILCamper18]

Posted: 3/17/11 at 12:34am

Saw the show tonight and I really thought it was great. I thought the show was very smart and clever and I enjoyed the concept. Having read through this thread, I thought the band would be a huge distraction but I didn't mind it at all. I was sitting 5th row center orchestra so, that might have had something to do with it because I couldn't see every band member and could really focus on the wonderful performances of Aaron Tveit, Norbert Leo Butz, Tom Wopat and the rest of the cast (especially the beautiful and spectacular female ensemble).

I really like the TV special concept. I thought it was a nice way to tell the story in a new way and really keep the audience invested and connected to Frank Jr. My one problem was "Fly, Fly Away". As much as I love the song and Butler's performance, I didn't understand how she felt all of that so quickly after just finding out so little about Frank's life. It seemed her feelings were a little forced. Butler is definitely underused but shines in the second act.

The house was full and the audience was very lively, with vocal screams from what sounded like teenage girls.

I look forward to seeing the show again after in opens.

[kyl3fong2]

Posted: 3/17/11 at 12:49am

Glad you enjoyed the show ILCamper18! But oh my gosh...screaming teenage girls?! -_____- that is going to be the death of me.

[IQ0522]

Posted: 3/17/11 at 8:56am

Hi guys,
I haven't seen the show yet but just wondering for those who dislike Kerry in this show.
Most of them think she is too old for the role, was that because her "looks" or "acting"?

Looks like lots of people were talking about she's too old for it so I just wondering and made me think about Elphaba in wicked, they all look a bit old for the role but it needs someone to have the singing ability(at least) to do this role...as my opinion...

I just found "Fly, fly Away" wasn't that easy that's it. hehe~

[MeggilyWeggily08]

Posted: 3/17/11 at 8:57am

Oh, it wasn't just the teenage girls last night. The two guys behind me talked full volume through the whole show, and yelled "Yeah!" each time a chorus girl or Aaron was standing near them. People are so rude, if you're a vocal person, hold the cheering until the end of a song or show, not the middle, while other people are trying to enjoy the number.

Okay, the show. I had a really wonderful time, and I still find this story amazing. The praise about Aaron is well deserved. I think a few things here and there could be cut,or changed to help keep it moving, since there are a few points where things seem to drag on. I also think the show should end with "Goodbye", or a more exciting number. The show and the second act both end on not so high notes, compared to the show as a whole.

[newintown]

Posted: 3/17/11 at 11:06am

Saw it last night, and fall into the sad and bored camp.

I had highest hopes this season for this and Book of Mormon.

After thinking it over, one of the biggest reasons for this falling flat (after a surprisingly unfunny book, and a score that sounds too much like Hairspray), is Tveitt. He's good-looking, confident and comfortable, and has a good strong voice. But he has no persona at all - ultimately a plain ol' pretty boy. No surprises, nothing out of the ordinary.

The show feels very workmanlike.

[DanceOnBroadway]

Posted: 3/17/11 at 5:59pm

Check out this great original webseries following the making of CATCH ME through the eyes on an actress in the show making her BWay debut. It's called DIARY OF A CHORUS GIRL!! A new episode will go up every Wednesday for the next 9 weeks
Diary of a Chorus Girl - Catch Me If You Can

[kyl3fong2]

Posted: 3/17/11 at 7:13pm

MeggilyWeggily08---That is so annoying! I totally agree with you that people should hold their noises till the end of the song and show and not disrupt the performances! This isn't an amateur high school performance! Ugh how disrespectful. I hope that by the time I go see the show all the squealing Aaron Tveit fangirls will have died down a bit.

[ReggieonBway]

Posted: 3/17/11 at 8:31pm

My experience seeing the show had more adults talking than anything else. The group of (mainly men, actually) "adults" behind me kept comparing everything Aaron did to DiCaprio in the movie - they did leave impressed, for what it's worth, but they were still obnoxious. Most of the teen girls I saw were well-behaved.

[kyl3fong2]

Posted: 3/17/11 at 8:44pm

Reggie---Can you explain to me how the role of Cheryl Ann fits into the new Broadway version now? I understand that her song "You Gotta Pay For Love" has been cut since the Seattle tryout.

[bwayrose7]

Posted: 3/18/11 at 12:29am

From what I'm hearing this is definitely top of my wish list to see. The movie is wonderful and I think Aaron is the perfect choice to play frank. He is a true modern leading man. Oh and I'm new here on BWW, so hi everyone!

[miss pennywise]

Posted: 3/18/11 at 4:07am

Saw it on St. Patrick's Day. I think the show still needs some cutting and rewriting; however, I strongly disagree with those who say that Tveit and Butler don't work.

I think they are both sensational, as is Norbert and the ensemble, especially the women. I mean, everyone gives a great performance, but Tveit, Butler and Butz are spectacular (even though Kerry Butler's part is way too small, IMO. I am a Butler-lover, I readily admit).

I really enjoyed the show, but I still contend that it needs work. It has the makings of a hit...as long as the creative team does what is necessary. Hats off to Mitchell and O'Brien. The choreography sparkles and the show's pacing is energetic. Some of the songs are wonderful, but there are a couple I found, well, uninspired. (I'm also a Shaiman-lover, I readily admit!)

Looking forward to seeing the show later in its run...and definitely NOT from the first row again. UGH! This is a show that needs to be seen from "afar."

Anyway...I see Tony noms!

[miss pennywise]

Posted: 3/18/11 at 4:21am

I forgot to add that Aaron Tveit spat on me.

Updated On: 3/18/11 at 04:21 AM

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 3/18/11 at 4:27am

Does the onstage orchestra confine the choreography and action at all? I know a lot if shows that use a bandstand gave a very crammed performance space.

[TxTwoStep]

Posted: 3/18/11 at 5:16am

didn't read the whole thread but my thoughts if wanted::

SCORE really good; love me some John McDLT bopping away, some great lyrics

CASTING: Tveit a star, NLB gonna git there and VERY funny tonite, glad to see DeBenedet break out from covering, Wopat miscast (too natural for the heightened reality the rest are using), Butler wasted or they need to rewrite her duet or lower it so she can belt it better (her second song much better), Linda Hart not needed they just love her nuttiness from HAIRSPRAY, the ensemble looking and sounding great

DESIGN: good strong work from two pros

CHOREO: clean and fun, no surprise there

LENGTH: tonite i felt Act Two was nearly perfect in content/length though the Family Tree number could use a cut----Act One seemed bloated to me too much content

LIBRETTO: very witty stuff except for Linda Hart that seemed forced and TOO cartoony


PERSONAL: except for a great scene and duet in Act One, conceptually i'd like to see NLB try both the dad and the FBI agent and De Benedet the mom and mother in law....not sure we need a dad at all in that scene. i think it would really enhance the "parenting" B plot and give two actors an amazing challenge we'd enjoy watching.

TONY thoughts: though MORMON is more consistent it has very little real content; with some tweaks CATCH ME could nab the trophy

[dreaming]

Posted: 3/18/11 at 10:48am

Where is the rush/lotto info? I was thinking of trying to get there.

[After Eight]

Posted: 3/18/11 at 11:03am

"Does the onstage orchestra confine the choreography and action at all?"


Very much so, unfortunately.

A very bad decision on the part of the creators.

[WestVillage]

Posted: 3/18/11 at 11:40am

Saw it last night as well, and add me to the bored and underwhelmed camp. The first act dragged on forever; second act is better but I kept thinking to myself "when is this going to be over?". There is no emotion in this show, no tension, no suspense, no fun, it is not at all engaging or interesting. You really don't care about anyone or anything that happens. The music is totally forgettable, the choreography is ugly, repetitive and uninspired (biggest WTF moment were those ribbons in the Family Tree number ... that generated the only laugh of the evening from me). The set is pathetic. Performances are strong and fine given the mediocre material. Linda Hart and Kerry Butler are completely wasted. Rachel Rak has to be the most obnoxious chorus girl on Broadway, trying to steal attention from the other girls at every chance she can get, with her "aren't I wonderful" facial expressions. A very dull, ho-hum show.

[RippedMan]

Posted: 3/18/11 at 12:42pm

Saw it last night as well.

I have to say I was pretty bored.

Tveit has a killer voice, but in the book scenes he didn't really grab me. I liked his chemistry with NLB, and I honestly thought NLB was the star of the show. His Act 1 number got the biggest applause of the night.

It's just a weird show. I hate the concept of the variety show. I hate that idea of "I know what's going to happen, but I'll explain it to you anyway." We don't get to watch the characters discover anything. He knows he's going to meet the love of his life. He knows the outcome. It's not exciting to know that he doesn't stay with Butler. Where's the suspense?

The design was awful. It just wasn't exciting. The whole band on stage thing got old after awhile, as did the "And now this number sung by this person."

"Butter Into Cream" is an awful song that gets referenced so much. It's just a drab song. It's too low and unexciting.

The end of the show is strange. You have these two big belty numbers - the best two in the show - and then this long extended scene after, and then an Epilogue of sorts, which is stupid. All the information in the Epilogue is in the Playbill. There's no need to end the show with a "And then this happens." Or if you're going to do that do it like Legally and make it a stupid,fun number.