I hate goodbyes.

I just want to apologize for yet another Catch Me If You Can post. Then again, I shouldn't be apologizing- it is a great show. Still, I'll even admit I have gone a bit overboard. (When Tom Wopat, Frank Abagnale Sr., tells you you need to get a life, you know you're a bit crazy).

Cut me some slack! It was closing day today!

Now the most incredible performance one will ever see is a closing performance of a great show whose run was cut short. I'm not saying this was the greatest show I've ever scene, because it's not (Next to Normal still holds that place in my heart) but I must admit, during this performance I could feel the energy, the "going-all-out" of the performers in the same way I felt it at N2N's closing performance, but this had this lack of satisfaction for it's run- which in a way added to it's energy. I do understand why it was cut short. The past three times I have gone to see it, it wasn't even close to being sold out. What I don't understand is why that is. It's such an uplifting show with performances by some of the most incredible Broadway performers I've ever seen. At this stage door, I would tell everyone I was so sad to see it go and they would all say "Me too," not "It was time" like the cast said at N2N.

I do have to say, this performance was definitely satisfying. Even from all the way in the nosebleeds. Row T, Seat 7, Mezz. I felt the energy. From the very beginning you could feel that no one, not a single performer or anyone (including the audience) was holding back. Nine times seeing the show, and this made me feel like I was seeing it for the first time all over again. Act I went by far too quickly and during intermission I was dreading what was yet to come. This show made me so happy and it was seemingly unfathomable that it had one more act and then would be over. Still, all good things must end.

Act II began and of course, none other than Marc Shaiman was on stage! After that the show went on as usual. The normal hyperventilating during Seven Wonders because of Aaron Tveit's lack of clothing- and he can sing too! Then the tears at the end of Kerry Butler's chillingly beautiful Fly Fly Away. And not even to bring up how much of a wreck I was at Goodbye. That song makes me sad already because it leads to the end of the show, but for this entirely phenomenal number, I was only thinking about how this was actually goodbye. And boy! Aaron Tveit really did not hold back! I thought he was phenomenal normally but it was nothing compared to this. And it's safe to say that he finally got some recognition that he deserved from the very beginning: a full house standing ovation at the end of that song. His face as he was tearing up staring at Norbert Leo Butz, who was just smiling at him is his natural fatherly fashion as Carl Hanratty. You had this sense of Norbert saying "I told you that you were incredible, and no damn Tony committee can say otherwise". (Okay, I really don't know if that's interpreted correctly, all I know is that that is what I was thinking).

Marc and Scott at the curtain call

Thanking Aaron for being incredible

Once the show was over, Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman came on stage and made a little speech. Marc told this beautiful story of how he was helping a kid who come out and spoke a bit about Catch Me. I always love those sentimental speeches. Finally, the show had finished and it sure had a happy ending. I got out to the stage door, chaos almost reaching the point of How to Succeed (Damn teenage girls are CRAZY. Hehe). I had the opportunity to talk to a lot of cast members (also Marc and Scott and Jerry Mitchell! and Jack O'Brian walked by me.) about how amazing the are, Brandon Wardell actually stuck around to have a conversation with me witch was pretty cool. Then, after basically everyone left, I broke out into song and sang that one line of Goodbye, "The show is done now!" then my friend Anna slapped me. Just a quick shout-out to her: Thanks, I needed that. I stuck around for quite a while afterwards talking to people coming in and out of the stage door. Though I couldn't go backstage because they were cleaning up the set, I did manage to pull off a lot of souvenirs. I got various props, Tom Wopat's door sign, a music book from the orchestra and the Catch Me book that people can buy. Oh, and a lot Rachel de Benedet's old stuff.

It was yet another very successful day at the theatre. I promise this is my last Catch Me post for at least a few months now!

I'd say catch it, but you can't.

Catch it before it closes

Catch Me If You Can. I may not have mentioned it yet, but I absolutely love this show. As of recently, I have scene it six times. SIX. And I must admit, it should be seven. Because I had gotten selected for Catch Me's blogger night on the 18th- a small contest for two free tickets to the show. I, however, was going to be on a plane at the time, so I couldn't go.

Still, the last times I saw the phenomenal show, I had the pleasure of seeing it with the understudy for Brenda, Alex Ellis, and Carl Hanratty, Joe Cassidy. Both amazing.

Joe Cassidy.
Let's just say Joe Cassidy really has some big shoes to fill. Norbert Leo Butz is a bit of a legend (to put it lightly) and won a Tony for this role, I'd be a nervous wreck if I were Joe- not to mention I saw him his first night on as Agent Hanratty. He was an absolutely wonderful performer, one of the things that was a bit off from the average "Norbert-esque" just because when Butz was talking about the role in an interview, he said it to be not one for singing and dancing. I don't imagine Agent Hanratty to be a good singer or dancer, I think of him to be this shlumpy, short, quirky, uncoordinated, lonely guy. Joe Cassidy was a bit too good on his feet, a bit too coordinated, not to mention tall. Then again, I must mention the "Don't Break The Rules" number with this guy. Truly great. Still, the dynamic was thrown off because they were missing one male ensemble member so, especially in the beginning, there was a gaping hole in the choreography. Still, another thing worth mentioning, the chemistry between Aaron Tveit and Norbert Leo Butz is like nothing I have seen before. The energy that they give off from each other, the authenticity that you feel when you see them perform together is incredible. In all the shows that I have seen in the past months (14 to be exact), I haven't experienced something like this. And this is the final reason that Norbert's shoes are so hard to fill, and unsurprisingly- Joe didn't quite fill them.

Alex Ellis.

Aaron Tveit as Frank Abagnale, Jr. and Alex Ellis as Brenda Strong

Well, since I first heard she was the understudy for Brenda, I had been dying to see her perform. I really always liked Alex from all the Catch Me vlogs, and I had also seen a video of her performing Fly Fly Away, in which I thought she was brilliant. Needless to say, she definitely lived up to that in her performance as Brenda. Though Kerry Butler is absolutely amazing, I found that Alex Ellis has a very similar atmosphere to her. The only thing that I really missed about Kerry was the joke about the other nurses being so very tall. Unfortunately, Alex couldn't make that joke because she was just as tall as the rest of them.
Also, thought I'd not that when she and Aaron were singing Seven Wonders, Alex nearly fell off of the bed. Ah- I live for those moments in live theatre.

Finally, in all the Catch Me performances I've seen I've never had the pleasure of seeing Jay Armstrong Johnson, who I've heard such great things about. Hopefully one day in the near future, I'll have the pleasure of having that experience.

Another thing worth noting, in the most recent performance I saw, Norbert completely smacked Aaron in the face with his tie during Strange But True, and the reaction of everyone on stage (especially Aaron) once again reminded me why Broadway is brilliant.

The 1st Annual Bombers Boomers Broadway Celebrity Softball Games

Wow. That was a mouthful. Today was a day I had been anticipating for quite a while now. It was the day I would attend the 1st Annual Bombers..... I must say, when I decided I was to be in attendance I really had no idea what it was, aside from the fact that the money went to charity and it had Broadway people playing softball at Yankee Stadium. Yes, that is enough to make me want to go.

Aaron Tveit singing the Star Spangled Banner

I got there at 10am this morning to be surprised with a wonderful continental breakfast and great coffee, the only thing I really need in the morning. Of course it did help that when I got outside and sat anywhere I felt like in Yankee Stadium, the weather was beautiful and Aaron Tveit sang the Star Spangled Banner. Not to mention Rachelle Rak, Alex Ellis, Dominic Scaglione, Jr., Matt Bogart, Mitch Jarvis, Tom Wopat and many other Broadway people that I admire were there, nonetheless playing softball! I happened to be rooting for the Broadway Bombers, mainly because Catch Me if You Can is my favorite current Broadway show and that was team with the Catch Me people. Still, the Bombers suffered a sad defeat. Congrats to the Times Square Slammers though! And yes, it was still fun to watch.

Aaron Tveit

Dominic Scaglione, Jr. at bat

After the Broadway game ended, the Boomers-Bombers game was set to begin. These teams consisted of various famous people from various places, most of whom I had never heard of (excluding Edie Falco), so I found that game much less interesting. It was during this point in the day that I decided to relax in the air-conditioned Legends Suite, where the event took place. I am so lucky to have been in the Legends Suite once before due to my friend and her extra ticket and once you see a Yankee game there, you can't really go back. Still, I just hung out there for most of the time, lots of the Broadway players were filtering in and out so it was nice to see them, and the food was delicious.

Edie Falco at bat

After the second game ended, there was a reception with more food and drink. Honestly, I am astounded that I did not explode at some point throughout the day. I sat down, got some food (yet again, I might add), listened to nice Jazz, and drank water in a wonderfully air-conditioned room filled with incredibly nice and talented people following two celebrity softball games. Yeah, it was a good day.

My most recent Broadway endeavors.

"The right place at the right time"
Somehow this idea never really seemed to apply to me. Recently, however, I have seemed to be extremely lucky, Broadway-wise, in encountering stars. My most recent Broadway endeavor occurred whilst waiting to meet my family to go to Radio City to see Cirque du Soleil, Zarkana, which was great. It's fun to see a circus that actually has an interesting story with live music, not just a bunch of circus acts. Still, nothing beat the incredible set and the amazing theatre. If you get the chance, definitely go see this.

Slight tangent, back to my endeavors.

Radio city is on 50th and 6th so I decided I might as well hang out in the one place I was bound to run in to the Broadway stars within that area. It also just happened to be 6:15pm, roughly when all the performers go out between their matinees and night shows. I went to the Starbucks on 52nd and 8th, half a block from Jersey Boys and Catch Me If You Can. I was just lucky that it was such a hot day and everyone was trying to get inside where there was air conditioning. While on line at Starbucks getting the most refreshing drink I know of, a passion iced tea, none other than Dominic Scaglione Jr. walked in. He was Frankie Valli in Jersey Boys! (Or at least in the production I saw) At first I wasn't sure, but I finally I decided that it was actually him. Still, I have yet to figure out how to pronounce his last name so I was not sure how to approach him. While deliberating, there were these two little girls by the window waving to the people on the outside. For those of you who are New Yorkers, you know that that is something definitely in the ordinary. Of course, only in the place that I was would these little girls wave to Aaron Tveit as he was passing by and then ask "What if we waved to someone famous without realizing it?"

Anyway back to Dominic, the story about Aaron yet to come. I finally decided to just ask him if he by any chance played Fankie Valli in Jersey Boys, which he of course said yes to and we had a short conversation while I told him how wonderful he is. He then asked my name (something that really makes me happy about Broadway stars, it actually makes you feel like they care) and in anticipation of the awkward moments to follow if I were to continue to hang out in that Starbucks, I left.

The moment I stepped outside, a gust of heat hit me, followed by a long minute of lightheadedness and me having to lean against a street sign to actually be able to start breathing again (what can I say? I'm more of a winter girl). Of course standing 10 feet from me is Aaron Tveit talking on the phone, another thing that didn't quite help with the whole lightheaded and breathing thing. I walked across the street planning on heading over to Radio City, but still unable to. I needed water. I went back to the Starbucks to buy myself a water bottle to help me last the longest four block trip I have ever been on and of course, I see Jay Armstrong Johnson and once again Aaron Tveit. After a few long moments of hesitating I decided I'd walk over and say hello after I had gotten some water. Of course when I got to the register the cashier made a big fuss about how I was just in here and if she needed to check my ID. By the time I had bought my water, they were both gone.

Still it was cool to just see them and have the chance to talk to Dominic! Let's hope I continue to be this lucky when it comes to theatre.

Sidenote: I hate to overshadow my Tony's post with this one seeing as that one is a bit more significant. I just thought I'd share this experience.

The Tonys

Needless to say, the Tonys were on last night. Sadly, I have no television, I have been roaming the internet to find some video of the entire thing (still no luck, if you find one let me know!). Because of this, I cannot really comment on how they were. All I know is that in the opening number Neil Patrick Harris was incredible. From what I saw I think it's safe to say he was nowhere close to the train-wreck James Franco and Anne Hathaway were at the Oscars, then again, this is Broadway.

Because I am so lucky to actually live in New York City, I actually took a trip down to the beautiful Beacon Theatre to check out the most glamorous night in the theatre world. It was surreal. Honestly, New York city is a hell of a crazy place but surely it's not everyday you go walking down 74th Street and Broadway to see people strutting about in ball gowns. I just sort of lurked watching Broadway royalty strolling about. Okay, so maybe I didn't see anyone I recognized but all the same, I'm sure many of the people I saw contribute somehow to the theatre, making them royalty.

Honestly, it's my dream to just get all glammed up in a beautiful gown, a sophisticated pair of pumps, get my hair done and wear an extraordinary amount of make-up, to go into a beautiful theatre and be surrounded by people who work hard to make an idea on a page a reality that we all then get to be a part of.

While creeping outside of the Beacon, I merely stared longingly at all the people who looked not much older than me jumping up and down in excitement walking to the "special" side of the street, closed off to pedestrians. I think this dream of mine is a tad too far fetched due to my utter lack of any performing talent as well as knowledge of the many other components of theatre, but hey, one can wish right?

I must say it was really weird. I mean, I watch and anticipate the Oscars religiously, the big movie buff I am, and it just seems like another world. It's strange to think the Tonys are roughly the same thing just another community of the art world and it's happening down my street! (Over exaggeration. I don't live that close.) It's funny in a way. I longed to see all those stars and converse with them about all the good they do and how incredible they are, but I can just hop on the train and tell them whenever I want!

Enough of my desire to be one the lucky people attending the Tonys, and on to the winners themselves.

The Book of Mormon. 9 Tonys, virtually everything it was nominated for. Okay, so I have yet to see this supposedly incredible show, and sorry to say, it will most definitely be a long time until I do so due to it's now new hype- also it has no form of general or student rush no matter how much I wish it did.  Still, money does not grow on trees- and neither do tickets, I hear it's sold out for months! The one thing I have been able to do however, is listen to the songs and watch the videos. I, however, have been doing this sparingly, I really don't want to know too much about the show. I know enough to understand that it is a show that makes fun of religion, and I must say, being the somewhat rebellious teen that I am, there is hardly anything I find funnier. Please god, let me win the lottery to the Book of Mormon.

Norbert Leo Butz. Yes, I am aware that I may have mentioned my outrage that Aaron Tveit was robbed again of a nomination, but Norbert, you were truly amazing and definitely deserved this win. His role is quite complex and not to mention "Don't Break the Rules". I think this video says enough. And yes, I am devastated that Aaron only got 30 seconds of stage time. Really Tony people?! You can't even let him perform?

Anything Goes. This is another show that I have yet to see. Also, yet another one that is almost impossible to get cheap tickets to. I got to the theatre at 11am on a day that had both a matinee and a night show and they were all out of rush seats. This show has a Tony winner as the star as well. Congratulations Sutton Foster!

John Larroquette. I must say he is absolutely delightful and incredibly funny in How to Succeed. Honestly, winning a Tony for your Broadway debut? That's impressive.

John Larroquette (right) as J. B. Biggley in
How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying

The rest of the shows I still have to see and know far too little about to comment on. All of them are now on my wish list and I hope to see them and post on them as soon as I can!

You can CATCH ME at Macy's (pun intended)

Okay, so I don't know if I've mentioned it but I'm sort of a huge Catch Me If You Can fan. So much so in fact, that it has now reached my most played album on iTunes, ahead of Next to Normal and Spring Awakening. Needless to say I follow the Catch Me facebook page and twitter, just to keep myself up to date on the show and such. But of course, I found out that today they had a mini performance at Macy's on 34th street. I obviously went. I took videos of all the songs, it was a really short performance, but Kerry Butler, Tom Wopat and Aaron Tveit were there so it was obviously amazing. Here are the videos:

Tom Wopat singing "Fifty Checks",

the bonus track from the Catch Me original soundtrack

Kerry Butler singing "Fly Fly Away"

Aaron Tveit singing "Goodbye"

Enjoy! And sorry the sound quality isn't great, all the more reason to buy the CD!

And yes, I am aware that almost every one of my posts pertains to Aaron Tveit or Daniel Radcliffe, but I assure you, it won't be that way for long.

Tribute to talented Mr. Tveit...

So Aaron Tveit, lets see...

In BroadwaySpace.com's 30 Under 30 and named the "hottest guy on Broadway" as well as Link Larkin in Hairspray, Fiyero in Wicked, Gabe in Next to Normal, Peter Orlovsky in HOWL, Tripp Van Der Bilt on Gossip Girl, and of course, Frank Abagnale, Jr.  in Catch Me if You Can.

But, I am not here to tell you about all the wonderful things Aaron Tveit has done, that's what IMDB/IBDB are for, and no, I am not here to tell you all about how incredibly good looking he is either. I am going to tell you all how talented he is and be outraged at the fact that he was robbed of a Tony nomination, not once, but twice!

Aaron Tveit's "head" from the Booth Theater, Next to Normal

About two years ago Aaron Tveit was in this phenomenal show called Next to Normal, maybe I've mentioned it in a previous post... He played the role of the dead son. The dead son that has to get you to like him within the first few scenes, that has to get you be on his side for most of the show, the dead son that you don't want to go away no matter how much hell he causes in his family or the amount of pain he puts his mother through, almost driving her to suicide. While he's doing all of this he has to reel the audience in and make them feel like he's still a "good guy". In that roll he had to climb up and down the stairs and react in the background of almost every scene and was legitimately on stage for the entire show. He has these tremendously tiring (or so they seemed) and powerful numbers that really moved the story forward. I truly find it incredible that Aaron Tveit didn't even get a nomination for that extremely pivotal role.

Aaron Tveit, Alice Ripley and J. Robert Spencer
Next to Normal, "I am the One"

Now, two years later, Aaron Tveit is starring in Catch Me if You Can as the lead, Frank Abagnale, Jr. A lot of people say that his performance "doesn't require enough" or isn't "emotionally draining" but honestly, he's on stage 90% of the show. And maybe in the beginning it seems like a feel-good TV special, but just as I said before, it's all about the escape of a kid who doesn't want to deal with his unfair reality. I think the whole flashy feeling of the first act all plays into the performance: Frank Abagnale wishes that his life was just a fun filled TV special, but during "Man Inside the Clues" we see how lonely Frank really is and when he falls in love with Brenda we see how much he longed for real company. Throughout this entire performance, Tveit has to evoke pity in the audience while being a con-man/antihero and putting on this flashy performance while going through so much pain, being merely a kid in search of family. 

Aaron Tveit and Kerry Butler
"Seven Wonders"

Aaron Tveit
"Live in Living Color"

Also, his last number "Goodbye" is incredible, it's basically Tveit's "Don't Break the Rules" (Norbert Leo Butz's show-stopping number). 

Finally, Aaron Tveit is an extremely solid triple threat actor, who can do both screen and stage acting flawlessly. Anyone interested in seeing some of his other work I advise "A Girl Walks Into A Bar" the first feature film made for the internet, so you can watch it on youtube for free. Really good movie.

Catch Me If You Can.

Used to be my favorite movie and now it's my favorite current Broadway musical. Honestly, it astounds me that critics have anything other to say than "simply amazing", but all are entitled to their opinion. In all the reviews you'll hear about the leggy dancers and Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman's jaw-dropping score and especially the show-stopping number "Don't Break the Rules" performed by Norbert Leo Butz. I'm not just going to rephrase all the reviews about how wonderful all these things are (they really are amazing), but seriously, there should be more raves about Aaron Tveit (plays Frank Abagnale Jr.)

I have seen the show three times in the two months that it's been on Broadway and he is one of the main reasons I keep coming back. He's on stage for nearly the entirety of the show, singing and dancing his way through these phenomenal 60s TV show-esque numbers, while, when called for, really breaks down and conveys that he's truly just a kid that got mixed up in this game. His presence is amazing. Every time he walks on stage it's impossible to take your eyes off him, you continue to root for him, and even pity him, and you truly get lost in the story. The fact that he didn't even get nominated for a Tony this year is complete bullshit (excuse my language, no words can describe my anger).

Even after that seemingly exhausting show, Aaron comes right out, puts on a smile and goes from person to person letting them talk to him and take a few pictures.

Aaron Tveit

Kerry Butler singing Fly Fly Away
Pictures from Broadway.com

The second person who deserves more recognition is Kerry Butler. Though she isn't the show for very long, her solo "Fly Fly Away" is chilling. She has such a beautiful voice, she's and amazing actress and the context of that song is truly heartbreaking.

There were a few moments when, even in this, for the most part, up-beat, feel good musical, I was shaded by truly emotional, and even sometimes relatable story. The first is when Frank is asked to choose between his parents, I doubt there's a worse decision a child could possibly have to make. Second is when Frank is lonely at all the motels calling anyone, even room service, just to hear someones voice, and third, when Frank Sr. doesn't live up to his fatherly duty to tell Frank Jr. to stop conning people. The last though, and most emotional, is when Carl Hanratty tell Frank of his father's death. That moment of Tveit's sobbing, just he and Butz, on a black stage with just a spotlight on them.

Beneath all the glam, colorful lights, terrific numbers, it's really just a story of a confused kid who ran away from home in a time of despair, something I think all of us have wanted to do, at some point in our lives, and can truly relate to.