Review: CATCH ME IF YOU CAN at Lodz Musical Theater

This show is pure entertainment, it's fast, colorful, bright, and easy. A good time and opportunity to familiarize yourself with a musical theater that is still not very popular (whip whip) in Poland. The show is comfortable, warm, light and funny.

Jakub Szydlowski has created a smooth and joyful story that is very easy to watch. One of the best things about it is that at some point it's hard to tell who the lead is. Frank Jr (Karol Drozd), Carl (Jarosław Oberbek), Frank Sr (Pawel Erdman), they have it all! They sing greatly, they move nicely, they have their charisma but well, well, well, the background is even more delicious. Here we have three women, Paula Abagnale (Anna Gigiel), Brenda Strong (Joanna Gorzala), and Cheryl Ann (Agata Bienkowska) who steal the show. The first is like a femme fatale who would seduce you with the aroma of homemade apple pie, the second would transform from a naive girl into a loud and beautifully powerful voice and the third would let your fantasies fly. Their charisma and being in the present moment create an unforgettable experience. They prevent us from considering the woman in this series as a decoration.

The group scenes are great, I like it when it's colorful and bright, the legs turn high, and everything is slender, well cut. When artists are all together, it's like a parade of gasps, from the pilot/stewardess song in the hospital to the big finale in prison. The dancers bring the atmosphere and act in a strong but charming way, even during the slower songs.

The costumes (by Zuzanna Markiewicz) are just brilliant. First, they change very fast and put an extra flavor in each scene, from suits, dresses, and Christmas clothes (I’ve just discovered that is a thing) to cheerleaders’ costumes - everything is in the right place. Both with stenography (by Mariusz Napierala and Zuzanna Kubricz) they make a strong base of this American vibe we can all dive in without questions asked. Love it! Last but not least, great graphics (by Zachariah Jedrzejczak and Veronica Siamianava) were like a cherry on the pie.

This is the story about running away and being aware that sometimes we run because we want to chase something we don’t realize. Frank Jr was not only fleeing but also desperately looking for peace and love within himself.

Photo: Justyna Tomczak

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