Another major highlight is "Fly, Fly Away." Sung by Brenda, the nurse who becomes Frank's fiancée when he tries to settle down as a lawyer in Louisiana after a few close calls, it's a slowburning gospel-styled ballad that is given a stratospheric performance by Kerry Butler. Brenda only gets real stage time in the second act, and the exceedingly talented Butler makes the best of her limited opportunity here with this song and her charmingly cheesy-in-love duet with Frank, "Seven Wonders."
Aaron Tveit also must be remarked upon, as Frank really is the heart of the show. Even though Butz won the Tony for Best Actor, he's a borderline supporting player here. Tveit carries the show, and he's got a fabulous not-quite closing number, "Goodbye" (which ends his show-within-the-show, but not the actual show. Again, the premise doesn't exactly fire on all cylinders.) He sings with tremendous clarity and fully deserves this, his first leading role on Broadway.
There are still problems from the musical evident on this cast recording. Two songs, "Jet Set" and "Doctor's Orders," are unnecessary scene-setters for the ensemble, establishing that Frank is now passing as an airline pilot and doctor, respectively. "(Our) Family Tree," the scene-setting ensemble number for the Strong family in Louisiana, is redeemed only by its unique New Orleans flair. Frank's parents have more songs than the plot justifies, though his father's anti-nostalgic duet with Hanratty, "Little Boy, Be a Man," is a standout from the numbers featuring the elder Abagnales. Tom Wopat, as Frank's father, doesn't seem to have as strong a bass range as he did twelve years ago on the Annie Get Your Gun recording.
The problems with the show shouldn't necessarily detract from this album, however. It's presented with pristine performances by the more-than-able band, and the score sounds fantastic here. Crisp percussion, sharp brass, and pristine vocals ring across the board on this recording. Catch Me If You Can may have flaws, but they are minimized when presented with just the score, which presents the show's highlights: a swingin' '60's brassy score, passionate performances and a few legitimate showstoppers.
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