Catch Me If You Can

Catch Me If You Can

Book by Terrance McNally, Music by Marc Shaiman, Lyrics by Scott Wittman and Marc Shaiman

Orpheum Theatre, Minneapolis, MN

Take a moment to look at the artwork for this show. Appreciate, if you will, the captivating use of color, shape, and space. The image is reminiscent of 1960s-era James Bond. I expected the musical to capture much of the same vibe. Mod. Colorful. Energetic. Cool.

You're with me? The artwork successfully lures audience members to a theatre, especially when combined with the title recognition. The 2002 film version of Frank Abignale, Jr.'s story was effective in its storytelling and potential audiences link the title with fondness for Tom Hanks and Leonardo DiCaprio. You want to see this musical.

The bad news: you have now seen the most exciting part of this musical. 

I took students to New York in the spring of 2011 when this show was newly on Broadway (very newly, it had just begun in previews). It starred Norbert Leo Butz and Aaron Tveit, two of my favorites. The book and music are by Broadway veterans Terrance McNally and Marc Shaiman. In one of our free evenings, a small handful of students chose to see this show while I accompanied another group to The Addams Family. Aside from getting Bebe Neuwirth's autograph following the show, I found myself jealous of the other group's choice. Later, when the group expressed a vague disappointment with Catch Me If You Can, I was sure they were wrong. Silly high school students. How could they know anything?

This is another time when I should have trusted their judgment. The staging was interesting, I enjoyed the incorporation of technology and the orchestra into the set, and some of the costume choices were quite effective. The most exciting part of the show, however, was when another patron in the balcony had some sort of medical emergency and had to be removed during the final number of Act I. As there were a large number of medical personnel in the audience and the ushers responded quickly and efficiently, the woman was removed from the theatre quickly and with a minimum of disruption. But it was still the most exciting thing that happened.

As I've mentioned before, I go to the theatre prepared to be entertained, and I plan to enjoy everything I see. I know this is too optimistic, but seeing a musical is one of my favorite ways to spend an evening, so it follows that I should enjoy my time.

In this case, I cannot recommend this show. It was very low energy and fairly dull. None of the promise of the artwork is carried out on the stage. Do not catch this show, even if you can. Watch the movie. It will be a less expensive and more enjoyable evening.