CATCH ME IF YOU CAN

[Zamedy154]

I never saw it during its Broadway run, but I've recently fallen in love all over again with 'Fly, Fly Away' and just now discovered 'Seven Wonders.' It's a beautiful, perhaps slightly underrated score by Scott and Mark. I remember there being so many HAIRSPRAY family members attached to this, but they unfortunately couldn't strike gold again.

Anyway, 'Fly, Fly Away' is a good song to help you clean out your sinuses on a Saturday night after a LTR breakup :). Kerry Butler. Kerry Butler. Kerry Butler.

[DramaTeach]

Always felt like this show didn't get the props it deserved.  There were lots of fun moments, much great dancing, and really melodic songs, but it came out the same year as Book of Mormon.  It didn't stand a chance.  

[qolbinau]

Aaron’s performance of “Goodbye” was distinctly more effective and emotional in the theatre than on the recording. I found that to be a highlight. And “Don’t break the rules”, which won Nobert a Tony (slightly out of no where for me I will admit). I don’t treasure this experience like I do other shows and I don’t revisit the cast recording often, but it would have been nice if it ran a little longer and found a wider audience.

What was interesting is the show wasn’t even doing that terribly in the grosses in 2011 standards. It must have been quite expensive to run and I’m guessing was running just at or just below the weekly nut. The producers probably wisely predicted the show wouldn’t make it through the colder months as they approached the end of the year (assuming it didn’t vacate for another show).

i wonder if the show would have played better in a slightly smalle theatre. Help create buzz and improve the experience for audience goers. 

[aj88]

I saw this show while it was in previews and despite having a massive headache that throbbed throughout the entire show, I really enjoyed it and I remember my ex and I thinking it would be a strong contender for Best Musical (Book of Mormon also just started previews around that time and we saw it too).

For me, I already loved the story from the movie but I also loved most of the score and I thought it was a solid show with a solid ensemble. I was really swept up by the great orchestrations as well!

I was shocked when the reviews came out and it was a rather mixed affair. I still quite enjoy listening to the score very much...and for a fairly filler-ish number, "Our Family Tree" was quite delightful and made me smile so wide.

[yankeefan7]

"Aaron’s performance of “Goodbye” was distinctly more effective and emotional in the theatre than on the recording. I found that to be a highlight. And “Don’t break the rules”, which won Nobert a Tony (slightly out of no where for me I will admit). I don’t treasure this experience like I do other shows and I don’t revisit the cast recording often, but it would have been nice if it ran a little longer and found a wider audience."

I agree, I think "Goodbye" was just a wonderful song. I got to see him do it at Barnes And Noble CD signing in addition to seeing the show. While, it was not a great show I had good time at it and really thought it should have had a longer run.  I felt the same way recently about "Bandstand" so what do I know - lol.

 

[steven22]

I really enjoyed this. I saw it twice during its broadway run and think Aaron should’ve received more praise. He was fantastic.

[ethan231h]

i loved this show so much!!! came in during a bad season because of mormon...ugh

[Elfuhbuh]

I didn't see the Broadway production, but my dad and I saw the tour as part of our theater's season pass, and we both really, really enjoyed it. I really can't imagine why it received such mixed reactions, but I guess you can't win them all. 

[Call_me_jorge]

I don’t understand why this didn’t come in 2010 or immediately after the Settle tryout.

[BroadwayConcierge]

This is one of those shows that I'll always remember as having deserved better. It was truly a fantastic show, and I guess just opened at an inopportune time. 

[nsguy45]

Anyone who saw it in previews in Seattle saw a much better show than what opened on Broadway. Same for 9 to 5, which was far better when it previewed in Los Angeles than when it reached Broadway.

[BrodyFosse123]

Anyone who saw it in previews in Seattle saw a much better show than what opened on Broadway. Same for 9 to 5, which was far better when it previewed in Los Angeles than when it reached Broadway.

I completely agree.  I was in Seattle for week when it was trying out there so I saw it.  LOVED IT!  Saw it one more time before I left.  Was thrilled beyond words when it was announced it was heading for Broadway.  Then they messed with it by slicking it up and giving it a polished look which totally removed the heart and soul of the show.  Even the same choreography played better in its Seattle incarnation.  

The fabulous "Live in Living Color" in Seattle looked and played like a 60s NBC TV Special: 



 

On Broadway, the same "Live in Living Color" number looked like a cheesy cruise ship revue: 

[bwayphreak234]

The set for Broadway looked like an oversized laundry basket.

[DottieD'Luscia]

I went in wanting to like this show, but I left feeling annoyed, and disliking Aaron Tveit immensely.  The production was just too in your face in an obnoxious kind of way (the only way I can describe it).

[nsguy45]

How could anyone dislike Aaron Tveit immensely?

[pacificnorthwest]

DramaTeach said: "Always felt like this show didn't get the props it deserved. There were lots of fun moments, much great dancing, and really melodic songs, but it came out the same year as Book of Mormon. It didn't stand a chance."

I agree. Probably more than agree. I saw it the same weekend I saw Book of Mormon, which I enjoyed. But the scatological humor was too much for me. I loved Catch Me If You Can. It was probably my favorite show that spring.

[Call_me_jorge]

BrodyFosse123 said: "Anyone who saw it in previews in Seattle saw a much better show than what opened on Broadway. Same for 9 to 5, which was far better when it previewed in Los Angeles than when it reached Broadway.

I completely agree. I was in Seattle for week when it was trying out there so I saw it. LOVED IT! Saw it one more time before I left. Was thrilled beyond words when it was announced it was heading for Broadway. Then they messed with it by slickingit up and givingit apolished look whichtotally removed the heart and soul of the show. Even the same choreography played better in its Seattle incarnation.

The fabulous "Live in Living Color" in Seattle looked and played like a 60sNBC TV Special:





On Broadway, the same "Live in Living Color" numberlooked like a cheesy cruise ship revue:

"

Isn’t the Seattle set the one they used for the tour? Or a similarly designed one?

[Wildcard]

I felt like they couldn't figure out what visual style they wanted to use for the digital backdrop. In some scenes, they look like poorly traced vector files, in others, they were more realistic (such as the house). They should have chosen an artist like Shag and stuck to one style throughout the show. It could have extended to the physical sets too and have made more of an impact. I did see the Seattle version and the touring version and they were both visually lackluster. Just poor directorial choices.