Catch Me If You Can
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Cititour.com Review
The film, “Catch Me If You Can,” about the world’s greatest scam artist, seems tailor-made for a splashy Broadway musical adaptation and the creative team of Marc Shaiman, Scott Wittman, and book-writer Terrence McNally, have crafted a clever, tongue-in-cheek, bright and cheerful show, guaranteed to keep you on your toes.
Although Shaiman’s zippy score doesn’t include much in the way of memorable tunes, it’s perfectly suited for the early sixties timeframe when Frank Abagnale, Jr. goes on a world-wide spending spree by bouncing checks and impersonating a Pam Am co-pilot, a doctor, and a lawyer, all before the age of twenty-one. What’s amazing is that it’s all true!
Aaron Tveit takes on the role of young Abagnale with ease. Utterly charming and agile, Tveit is smoothly convincing whether wooing the girl or pleading for his freedom. He offsets his criminal behavior with a natural likeability making it impossible not to root for him. Pursued with vigor by FBI agent, Carl Hanratty, (Norbert Leo Butz) Tveit sings and dances his way around the globe with panache. The always reliable, Butz, finds that magical place between obsession and dedication giving the FBI career-man a real soul.
The supporting characters are equally well-played, including a wonderful turn from Tom Wopat, as Abagnale Sr., the father who unwittingly provides fertile ground for his young son on the finer points of “the scam,” and Kerry Butler, as the love interest, gives her pristine powerhouse vocals a workout.
McNally uses the conceit of a television variety show, telling the stage show in flashbacks, which allows Jerry Mitchell’s energetic dances to go with the flow. Director Jack O’Brien has a keen eye for balancing the action with plenty of heart. If there’s one problem with the musical, it’s the rushed conclusion which delivers too much information, and not enough in the way of a show-stopping ending. The chase, sort of, just stops.
But “Catch Me If You Can” is an engrossing feel-good musical and well worth the trip.
By Lesley Alexander
Visit the Site
http://www.catchmethemusical.com
Cast
Kerry Butler, Norbert Leo Butz, Aaron Tveit, Tom Wopat, Rachel De Benedet, Linda Hart, Nick Wyman, Joe Cassidy, Timothy McCuen Piggee, Brandon Wardell
Open/Close Dates
Opening 3/11/2011
Closing 9/4/2011
Box Office
212-307-4100
Theatre Info
Neil Simon Theatre
250 West 52nd Street
New York, NY 10019
Map
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