Based on the movie, Catch Me if You Can book by Terrence McNally, Music by Marc Shaiman, lyrics by Scott Whittman and Marc Shaiman, is a showy, old-fashioned musical, right out of Ziegfeld, chorus girls and all, and for an ancient reviewer it is a pleasure to see these gorgeous, long-legged women dance, sing and create high-jinks. The fun costumes by William Ivey Long go from glamour to cartoon to feathered fans; the set by David Rockwell, feels like a Hollywood musical with the big band upstage, ramps and twirls.
Aaron Tveit plays the charming super con man Frank Abagnale, Jr., with ease and flair; Norbert Leo Butz, in a strong, but weird characterization, plays his FBI pursuer. Butz seems to have put on weight, and believably limps in most of the play. Then he does a spectacularly adept comic dance number, and then back to limping. Why not? He sings so well, though, that basically it doesn't matter.
Tom Wopat, another real singer, shines as Frank's dissolute father, and so do Rachel de Benedet as his mother and Kerry Butler as the love interest.
The cheery choreography is by Jerry Mitchell, and director Jack O'Brien gives it all rhythm, pace and verve. It's all good-natured fun, beautifully constructed, and a good time is had by all.
