Catch Me If You Can

October 9, 2012

National Tour

Providence Performing Arts Center

Providence, RI

The National Tour of Catch Me If You Can has opened at the Providence Performing Arts Center!  Opening on Broadway in 2011, this charming new musical is based on the story of real-life con man, Frank Abagnale, Jr., who passed $2.5 million in forged checks while posing as a doctor, lawyer, and pilot all before he turned 21 years old. With a magnificent score by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman and an amusing and clever book by Terrence McNally, Catch Me If You Can is a surefire audience pleaser. 

Synopsis: Growing up, Frank Abagnale, Jr. has a seemingly perfect childhood, raised by two doting parents including a father who taught him the importance of outward appearances. At the age of sixteen, his parents divorce, and rather than choose between them, Frank escapes to New York City where he quickly learns the art of being an impostor (as well as how to pass bad checks). It isn’t long before FBI agent, Carl Hanratty is hot on his tail, which leads to a sometimes intense, sometimes hilarious cat and mouse chase, and ultimately, an unlikely friendship. 

Comments: The highlight of Catch Me If You Can is its upbeat, energetic, “big band” score, which is reminiscent of the 1960‘s Sinatra “era”, and this is followed closely by Jerry Mitchell’s impeccably choreographed dance numbers performed by a talented ensemble of dancers. The audience went wild for jazzy numbers such as “Doctor’s Orders”, “Live in Living Color”, and “Jet Set”. (It’s not surprising that Shaiman and Wittman were recruited for SMASH- this duo certainly knows how to create an audience-pleasing score!)

Recent college graduate Stephen Anthony is near perfectly cast as high school student turned con artist, Frank Abagnale, Jr. Not only does he possess boyish good looks and charm, he can also sing the heck out of the score in a performance that rivals Aaron Tveit’s (who originated the role on Broadway). Undoubtedly, he gave the stand out performance. I thought he had great chemistry with his stage father, played by Dominic Fortuna, and I particularly enjoyed their scenes together. 

As the gruff, but endearing FBI agent who relentlessly chases Frank halfway across the world, Merritt David Janes certainly nailed his highly anticipated dance number, “Don’t Break the Rules”, which was performed by original Broadway cast member, Norbert Leo Butz, at the 2011 Tony Awards.  He also sang several slow, bluesy numbers that I really enjoyed and gave both a comedic and dramatic performance. I expect that he will grow more into the role as time goes on, seeing that Providence is the first stop on the tour. 

As Frank’s sweet and innocent love interest Brenda Strong, Aubrey Mae Davis was very effective, and she gave a warm and mournful performance of a pretty 11 o’clock ballad called, “Fly, Fly Away”. 

The orchestra was effectively placed on the stage rather than in the pit, and much like the musical Chicago, the orchestra was part of the story line. There were large screens which projected various colors and shapes during the musical numbers. I don’t recall these screens in the Broadway production and I’m unsure if they are a new addition for the tour, but regardless, they were completely unnecessary and distracted the audience from the actors. 

The Verdict: Catch Me If You Can is one of my favorite musicals; it’s smart and comedic with great music and choreography, and I’m glad people around the United States have been given the chance to see it. 

Chaplin

September 23, 2012

Broadway

Ethel Barrymore Theatre

On September 10th, a delightful new musical named Chaplin opened at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre. Based on the life of iconic silent film star, Charlie Chaplin, this musical tells the story of the man behind “the Tramp”, depicting his impoverished upbringing in London, his life as a young vaudeville performer in England and his rise to fame in America, his political interests and subsequent exile from the United States, and finally, his welcome back into the United States with an honorary Academy Award in 1972. 

Synopsis: Growing up in England at the end of the 19th century, Charlie Chaplin is raised by an alcoholic, absentee father and a mentally unstable mother, who (despite her psychiatric shortcomings) teaches her son to closely observe the people around him before she is permanently institutionalized. Charlie, who had developed an interest in entertaining, began work as a music hall performer at a young age, later becoming quite successful as a comedy and vaudeville performer in England. It wasn’t long before Hollywood noticed this great talent and Charlie was offered a job with Keystone Studios, thus launching his successful career as a silent film actor in the United States. As Chaplin became more and more successful, he became the target of vindictive gossip columnist, Hedda Hopper, who felt snubbed by the actor when he declined an interview. Fueled by Hedda Hopper’s lies and exaggerations, his desire to assert political beliefs in his films led to the assumption that he was a communist, culminating in his exile from the United States. The musical also recounts Chaplin’s affinity for younger women, his four marriages, and his happy marriage with his fourth and final wife, Oona O’Neill. In addition to finding happiness with Oona, Chaplin is welcomed back into the United States with an honorary Academy Award in 1972. 

Comments: In order for a show like Chaplin to work, there needs to be that special actor who is able to successfully embody the character of Charlie Chaplin. Rob McClure is that special actor. I admit that I did not know who Rob McClure was prior to seeing Chaplin last week; but after seeing his performance, I will never forget him. He has mastered physical comedy, and with every facial expression and mannerism, he becomes more believable as Charlie Chaplin. While his visual comedy and mimicry skills are comparable to Chaplin’s, I was most impressed with his acting and his ability to support the arc of the story as Charlie transitions from young, insecure actor to successful film star to divorcee to political activist/accused communist to exiled actor, and finally, celebrated Academy Award winner. And while his physical interpretation of Chaplin is spot-on, his portrayal of the more emotional side of this complex person is what makes his performance truly special... and Tony Award worthy, I might add.  Bravo, Rob McClure.  

The supporting cast was also excellent. Christiane Noll had great stage presence as Charlie’s flawed but influential mother, and sang beautifully.  Wayne Alan Wilcox and Erin Mackey were very well-cast as Sidney Chaplin and Oona O’Neill respectively. Jenn Colella gave a stand-out performance as the villainous Hedda Hopper and her Act II number, “All Falls Down”, was one of the musical highlights of the show. She can really belt out a song.   

What did I love about Chaplin? What sticks out in my mind a week later? I loved that the sets, costumes, and make-up were done in a black and white theme, as if to give the audience the impression of watching a Chaplin movie.  I thought this was creative and aesthetically pleasing to watch on stage. I also loved the way Charlie’s transition into the Tramp was presented on stage, with flashbacks to childhood memories of his mother and the people they watched together. I loved the incredible talent that is Rob McClure.  I loved Jenn Colella’s insanely powerful singing voice. I particularly liked the scenes between Christiane Noll and Zachary Unger who played Young Charlie.  These sometimes-heartbreaking, sometimes-joyful scenes really conveyed Charlie’s love for his mother and his devastation when she was institutionalized. I loved the supporting cast; while this is show about Charlie Chaplin, his story cannot be told without the people/characters that influenced his life. The supporting cast was really stellar. I loved Christopher Curtis’ music, the most memorable songs being “Look At All the People”, “Just Another Day in Hollywood”, “All Falls Down”, and “This Man”. 

I hope this will give you many reasons to check out Chaplin at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre.