YOUR 'Catch Me If You Can' Thoughts, please.

[TheKandyLife]

Posted: 2/11/11 at 11:06am

Hey!

Now, at first, i had no idea it was a film. By accident i stumbled upon it and i bought it becuase i remember people saying it's really good! So that night i went home and watched it and other films with friends...then it clicked, that THAT was the film that was being made into a musical...

I enjoyed the film a lot!....But it didn't sing to me. The only bit that did was when the mum and dad were dancing in the living room with the wine talking about the first time they met.

Other film to stage shows sang to me...Shrek, Legally Blonde, Young Frankenstein, Spamalot, Hairspray, 9 to 5, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, The Producers...but this one isn't.

I would genuinly appreciate everyones thoughts on this show! What they think about it etc. I hope it does well! But what do you think?

Thanks!

[Patti4President]

Posted: 2/11/11 at 12:49pm

I believe the show is conceived as a show within a show. Frank Jr. is relaying "how he did it" to Hanratty through a 1960's Variety Show lens.

It's clever, since the real Frank Jr. was obsessed with television and variety shows programs. Plus he says his favorite memories of his childhood (before things got messed up) were watching the variety shows with his parents.

Personally, I'm looking forward to seeing how the film translates to stage.

[TheKandyLife]

Posted: 2/11/11 at 2:26pm

Oh, i see!

That's a VERY different take on it. Thank you for the info!

I just had a look at the rehearsal video. It seems very high energy, but i'm still no convinced it'll do the movie justice. I hope it does though! It's got a great cast and fabulous creative team!

Thanks!

[SFFrontRow]

Posted: 2/11/11 at 3:21pm

I saw the show in Seattle a while back. Since I grew up in the 60's, I get the infatuation with the 60's variety specials (especially the Xmas ones). I live in SF and me and my partner made a trip up to Seattle to see it. He just goes along because he has to, but he really enjoyed this show.

I liked the performances, the music and (although other posters on other threads HATED it) the sets. It really did evoke the variety specials from the 60's - although that part of it was still being worked on when we saw the show.

Overall, this was an enjoyable show. I think that Kerry Butler and (to some extent) Norbert Leo Butz had smaller parts than I expected, Aaron Tviet was really good in the lead role. Supporting players Tom Wopat and (sorry cannot remember her name) the actress playing his wife were very good.

I am seeing it when I visit NYC again in June. Looking forward to seeing how much is changed.

[The Other One]

Posted: 2/11/11 at 7:00pm

Kandy, don't know if you know this, but Christopher Walken, who played the father, started out as a Broadway and off-Broadway dancer. It is his trademark to work a bit of dancing into nearly every movie he is in. I'm sure he had fun with that moment in CATCH ME IF YOU CAN, and he gives one of his finest performances in the film as well.

[TheKandyLife]

Posted: 2/11/11 at 8:35pm

I didn't! Great bit of info! Thanks =)

[Mildred Plotka]

Posted: 2/11/11 at 9:26pm

I saw it in Seattle. Was a bit of a mixed bag. The score has some great gems ("Live in Living Color", "Good at What I Do", and "Fly Fly Away). The book was a snooze and the constant back and forth between Tviet and Butz slowed things down significantly. I thought Kerri Butler's character (and song, though it's probably the best in the score) felt extraneous and often unnecessary(as did her wackadoo parents and their wretched audience sing-along number which feature Linda Hart coming out with an accordion).

I hope they've been able to find some focus and get rid of all the needless nonsense that plagued the Seattle run.

The performances were all top notch, especially Butz and Tviet, who I assume will both garner well deserved Tony nominations.

Updated On: 2/11/11 at 09:26 PM

[aja]

Posted: 2/12/11 at 9:40am

Every number kind of looks the same with the exception of the Kerry Butler number. And given the character's extremely small role in the film, I can't understand why she would have such an emotionally driven song. But then again, I never read the source material so i dont want to unfairly compare the film and musical too much.

[Sylar2]

Posted: 2/12/11 at 11:49am

After watching the clips on here, I'm less excited to see the show. Songs were not catchy or memorable and Kerry Butler just screams her song. Screaming does not equal emotional singing. Blah.

[TheKandyLife]

Posted: 2/12/11 at 6:23pm

Thanks for the info guys!

I've watched the rehearsal footage, and i'll be amongst the few (like i am with the people who like the Addams family) who actually like the music i heard on it!

Aaron, his songs are great, Norbets song sounds wordy and catchy. I agree with Sylar2, Screaming does not equal emotional singing...although, sometimes! It can help...

Thanks for all the comments!

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 2/12/11 at 6:35pm

The problem with that press preview footage is that they showed you the five most entertaining, upbeat songs in the show. It'll work to get people interested in the show, but the rest of the score isn't as exciting.

[princessem721]

Posted: 2/12/11 at 6:49pm

i have to disagree with most of the posters on this board. i was fortunate enough to be at the rehearsal that everyone is seeing clips of, and not only was it exciting, the energy from everyone in the room was electric. the music was fun and catchy, and once the orchestrations are heard, it will be even better! kerry butler's song (fly, fly away) actually gave me chills the first time i heard it (and she isn't one that i'd jump off of the couch for many days). the design ideas are really fun and evoke a great aesthetic, and it is clear that these people know what it takes to create a wonderful evening at the theater. they are the ones who gave us hairspray, people!!

i really think that we all need to see the full show before we start passing judgment on the finished product. it isn't finished yet :)

[TheKandyLife]

Posted: 2/12/11 at 7:22pm

I'm quite shocked at what people are saying about the score.

Marc and Scott have wrote great song after song for Hairspray, then cabaret songs for solo performers and more, even some of the finest scores for films i've heard!

I find it hard to believe about the score...AGAIN, it might be personal taste, which is what i'm wanting to hear about! So thanks!

The choreography looks exciting also in the clips. Jerry Mitchell has done it again with the moves.

Personally, i think the show is coming along better than i thought at first. I still can't see the film singing. But when i see the rehearsals, it works! Fabulous creative team. I think Jack O'Brian (O'Brien?) has done wonders here!

Of course, this is without seeing the whole show!
Updated On: 2/12/11 at 07:22 PM

[AEA AGMA SM]

Posted: 2/13/11 at 1:08am

Kerry Butler sang her song from the show at TheatreworksUSA's gala a couple of weeks ago. I admit that I didn't have much interest in the show before that, but hearing her perform it live definitely made me a bit more curious.

[PopAria]

Posted: 2/13/11 at 3:27pm

I think you will enjoy it, especially if you like
1)Hairspray,
2)Mariah Carey
(Those first two are connected and I'll give you a dollar if you figure it out) and
3)American Idol type songs where the gospel choir comes out and sings the chorus one more time before an epic key-change into a ridiculously high key where the lead is singing her heart out so much that she sounds like she's screaming...

yeah... That's what "fly fly away" sounds like to me. lol

If only Spider-Man had those kinds of songs. :/

But I have to warn you, the entire score is not emotional gospel power ballads. Some of it sounds a lot like "(You're) Timeless To Me" (which is my least favorite song from Hairspray.)

[TheKandyLife]

Posted: 2/13/11 at 3:54pm

That's one of my favourite songs in Hairspray, that and the Big Dollhouse.

I'm not a fan of the American idol type thing you described...but If it works, who am i to complain? hahaa

[JOak]

Posted: 2/13/11 at 3:55pm

Mariah Carey worked in a hair salon.

[PopAria]

Posted: 2/13/11 at 4:10pm

LMAO I love that you mentioned the hair salon.

Mariah's last CD "Merry Christmas II You" has a couple of Marc Shaiman songs on it. He wrote a few songs for her xmas CD.