I don't know if it's true, but I once read somewhere to prepare for this role, NLB used to sing the vocals to this song while running on the treadmill.
In 1997 my sister went to see the RENT, and she got to see it with the original cast. For years I was jealous of her. Recently I was looking at her Playbill, and I noticed something. On the night she went to see it, Adam Pascal was out as Roger. In his place was a young man named Nobert Leo Butz. She got to see him before the TONYs, before "Wicked", before "The Last Five Years", when he was pretty much an unknown.
*Yet, he hasn't won a Tony* He hasn't been NOMINATED for a Tony, which I think is even more egregious. He certainly deserved a nod for "Next to Normal." But he may finally get his due next year with "Moulin Rouge!"
I think it's just really cool that the real Frank Abagnale Jr. has gotten to see his story by Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hanks (movie) as well as Aaron Tveit and NLB (Broadway). That's so surreal
I was lucky enough to see this show on Broadway. I've seen literally hundreds of Broadway shows over the years, and I've only seen musical numbers stop the show a couple of times. This one did. We would have happily sat there--hell, stood there and clapped and cheered for hours. NLB had to stop us so the show could go on; I suspect he did that a lot. Just a perfect mesh of music, lyrics, choreography, and performance.
Lisa... I would have LOVED to have been there. THIS song (but more... this PERFORMANCE) is EXCEPTIONAL!! I got into my daughter's car last night- and as a treat, she had this song playing for me. It made my night! I asked her, "who is this singing?" And she nodded - "yes, mom. It's Norbert Leo Butz." Damn RIGHT, it is! Have you SEEN the video of it?? (Mom, how do you think I came to love it? You made me watch it a few times.) Broadway History in a short video clip. Norbert is SUCH a favorite, and this is an example of his best work.
That's the awesome thing about Norbert. He was only 44 when he did this show, but he's always looked old for his age. He comes off as a frail old man, but he dances like a 20 year old
Yes... and I want to point out-> NLB is singing and dancing... those in the background are dancing ONLY (lip syncing if they CAN handle it). The background vocals are STANDING backstage. He is an amazement!!
It sucks when one show dominated the Tonys, in this year's case it was Book of Mormon and despite getting good reviews and getting a few awards, Catch Me If You Can still couldn't survive the juggernaut BOM for long :(
At least Norbert got a well deserved award, just can't understand Aaron not being nominated. Ashame when the Tony judges can't be fair & give credit where it's due!
+krisushi1 I actually disagree. I think Aaron definitely deserved one, but the competition this year was so high that they couldn't give him one. And whilst credit would be due in a year where there isn't such competition, but that year it was so high that he couldn't beat them. Also, he doesn't act for awards, he acts because it's his passion
Isaac Tindall I agree with both your points. It's all about the quality of the nominees that dictates who gets the nod. I doubt also that Aaron cares for awards too. It's easy to tell from his performances that just being out there on stage is more than enough for him.
+Juan Ayala All I know is I have watched a bunch of the performances from this particularly year's tony awards and I loved quite a few. I don't think they were shadowed, each having something that made it special
NLB... what a mega-talented, amazing guy. This performance was super powerful and he rocked it. He's unstoppable here... and so were his lungs... gosh, what does he do and how does he do it?
I absolutely love the small detail that the fbi costumes for ensemble have some of the backs looking like the targets used for practice in the first bit of don’t break the rules, small but it makes such a nice reason to have the ensemble there.
I love how NLB plays a college age kid in Wicked (2006) and then 5 years later, plays an older guy in Catch Me If You Can (2011). Gotta love the guy! ♥
Them: Can you sing? me: oh yeah Them: great, let's start the audition me: uh me: what is that Them: that's the treadmill me: Uh I don't think you guys understand. I'm an actor. I'm auditioning for the musical Them: Yeah we know, so hop on and we'll test how you sound at 15 miles per hour
Seriously this show was amazing, I saw it in previews and it was beyond excellent. I think it's really too bad that it fell in the same year as Book of Mormon because if it had been in any other year it would have been the show to beat, but Book of Mormon just dominated everything in it's path.
l3murs I adore NLB and he was very deserving of this Tony win for this incredible performance in the entire show (not just this amazing song + crazy/brilliant choreography). But, gotta add that I'll bet Josh Gad and Andrew Rannells split the vote - and that's why Norbie won this year. All three performances were beyond compare for Tonys 2011.
hahaha... After watching the film, i was told Aaron was in it. Really? Where? Even going back to see - I nearly missed it. i swear! I would be one of those folks who wouldn't recognize Superman after he put on his glasses. **clunk!**
Yep Aaron Tveit who also originated the role of Gabe in Next To Normal, he's gonna be in Moulin Rouge with Karen Olvio starting summer this year so gets those tickets and catch them if you can!!
i had no idea there was a Broadway musical about this! Imagine being the real Frank Abignale. Making it in your life even through fraud and then having a movie AND a Broadway show about your life. That's crazy
Norbert Leo Butz is like Broadway legend. I wonder how many flukes there were before he finally got his big break. He's one of the few massive success stories I've ever heard to come out of the theater. Keep on keepin' on, theater geeks.
I’ve watched this video so many times over the years. It’s one of the best performances ever on the Tony’s. Norbert is amazing and the choreography is fantastic!
Norbert is beyond amazing. Aaron is beyond amazing. Both of their talents go unmatched and they are joys to behold. But anyone on here that says this show was better than Book of Mormon either didn't see Book or is Aaron's sister. Come on guys BOM was the best musical to come around in years, and held that title until Hamilton
I will agree; show vs show. But a few years down the road? Between this and BoM? Whereas I would listen to BoM on occasion and smile.... these songs still have me hitting replay over and over.
what i really didn't like about this show, was that NLB (to me) looked like he was doing Tom Hanks, not a character/role/person (even for a musical). Aaron was good. And I didn't really LOVE the soundtrack either... it was a great production, obviously, but yes, competing to the Mormons...well...they had God on their side! :P lol
Mark Shaiman deserves much more credit for his work. This show is amazing. Spare me with Hamilton and all those new pop stage adaptations drowning Broadway in mediocrity. THIS is Broadway.
I guess that part where the sound cuts out was actually in the original broadcast and not just an audio glitch with this upload. I would also guess it was intentional since it happens over the “Screw someone’s daughter or his wife” line.
NLB’s dance routine in this song is out of the world!!! Just watched a Hong Kong production of the show, they had to cut NLB’s insane tap dancing of this part and replaced it with something much easier.
Also, its a shame Aaron didn't get nominated here. He's caught the young Leonardo Di Caprio's curse of being a one dimensional actor in theater. One day boy, you'll find that breakthrough role
When I saw Catch Me If You Can in previews, once this number was over I was convinced I just watched a Tony-award winning performance....and I was right. Such a deserving win for him...and the show was great too, better than the short run and the reviews suggested.
I saw this show on broadway a few nights ago, and it was probably one of the best shows I've seen ever (and I've seen a LOT of shows)! @nafruito - did we go to the same show? Because that's exactly what happened when I was there! Either that or Norbert Leo Butz is just THAT amazing an actor that he gets standing ovations every time he performs...
We learned the very end of Don't Break The Rules at my summer arts camp for dance placement, and it makes me insanely happy that it is almost the exact same choreo as in this.
am i crazy or are they supposed to have tap shoes? i hear tap when don't break the rules is in my head, im seeing tap, but i don't hear any tapping and it's confusing me
@DeltaKilo3 Your comment is right ther. One of the last people to post on this video, haha. And you had said you didn't know NLB had played Fiyero at all, you thought they were referring to Aaron Tveit when they spoke about Fiyero.
@TweekleDee I fail to see what could have been so risque about such a long portion of song... and I can't seem to find a lyrics page anywhere. Know what the lyrics from the censored part were?
I feel like this is one of the videos where musical theatre kids are like "shit man I need to work on my cardio"
HAHAHAH Fuckin' spot on
Spot on, hahaha
Too true😔
Exactly
that's exactly what I thought
Aaron is such a beautiful being. Dat voice
It cracks me up that (in THIS video) the rave is Aaron. OMG... NORBERT is a genius!!
it's fiyero chasing another fiyero . . . amazing.
I know right? It's hilarious :')
It's the short, older balding Fiyero chasing the taller, younger full set of hair Fiyero! 😂
I honestly see your comments everywhere 😅
Hehehehe 🤣
Phoenix Joe sorry bout that
Aaron certainly has a great set of lungs and Norbert is just amazing during this number.
Came here for Aaron Tveit, stayed for NLB
annie10103 same
I don't know if it's true, but I once read somewhere to prepare for this role, NLB used to sing the vocals to this song while running on the treadmill.
Lots of people do to prepare for roles on broadway. Its a great tactic.
Lauren Woolrych I don't know, that sounds crazy. But I'm not a gym rat anyways.
we did this play in my highschool and the hanratty actor did that.
Yes... that's a true story. OMG! The man is FANTASTIC!!
I didn't know Norbert done this but I know Aaron prepared for his role in Next to Normal by singing on the treadmill
In 1997 my sister went to see the RENT, and she got to see it with the original cast. For years I was jealous of her. Recently I was looking at her Playbill, and I noticed something. On the night she went to see it, Adam Pascal was out as Roger. In his place was a young man named Nobert Leo Butz. She got to see him before the TONYs, before "Wicked", before "The Last Five Years", when he was pretty much an unknown.
I've lost track of how many times Aaron has preformed at the Tonys. Yet, he hasn't won a Tony and that's messed up.
The Leonardo DiCaprio of Broadway
Joshuaskie Funny you say that, since Leonardo DiCaprio was Frank Abagnale Jr in the movie
@@the-ma-an lmao that's so true XD
He’s performed like twice lmao,,
*Yet, he hasn't won a Tony*
He hasn't been NOMINATED for a Tony, which I think is even more egregious. He certainly deserved a nod for "Next to Normal." But he may finally get his due next year with "Moulin Rouge!"
Two generations of Fiyero... I think I just died.. :') That's right Norbert you pass that torch
nlb moves like a cartoon cop caricature and im OBSESSED he’s amazing
He can pretty much do anything. His character here was spot on perfect!
My God, this choreagraphie, such a masterpiece
I think it's just really cool that the real Frank Abagnale Jr. has gotten to see his story by Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hanks (movie) as well as Aaron Tveit and NLB (Broadway). That's so surreal
I was lucky enough to see this show on Broadway. I've seen literally hundreds of Broadway shows over the years, and I've only seen musical numbers stop the show a couple of times. This one did. We would have happily sat there--hell, stood there and clapped and cheered for hours. NLB had to stop us so the show could go on; I suspect he did that a lot. Just a perfect mesh of music, lyrics, choreography, and performance.
Lisa... I would have LOVED to have been there. THIS song (but more... this PERFORMANCE) is EXCEPTIONAL!! I got into my daughter's car last night- and as a treat, she had this song playing for me. It made my night! I asked her, "who is this singing?" And she nodded - "yes, mom. It's Norbert Leo Butz." Damn RIGHT, it is! Have you SEEN the video of it?? (Mom, how do you think I came to love it? You made me watch it a few times.)
Broadway History in a short video clip. Norbert is SUCH a favorite, and this is an example of his best work.
Same here. I also saw him in Wicked. He I so talented
As great as Aaron is, Norbert's performance is definitely hands down the more unique performance - he DESERVED the Tony that year.
DEFINITELY deserved that Tony! This performance alone proves it
Absolutely. But Aaron deserved a nomination. The show rested on his shoulders and he carried it in stride.
Why is everyone talking about Tveit... This other guy is like 50 and totally nailed this whole routine.
“The other guy” that’s NLB you heathen.
That's the awesome thing about Norbert. He was only 44 when he did this show, but he's always looked old for his age. He comes off as a frail old man, but he dances like a 20 year old
Norbert Leo Butz didn't win a Tony for Best Actor in a Musical twice just to be referred as "the other guy".
This show got swallowed by the Book of Mormon.
TheZeitergeist3 yea but andrew rannells still lost lead actor tony to this...
TheZeitergeist3 I mean I love Book of Mormon but let's be real
It's already been 3 years so I don't think a have to tell you...
This is so much better, sorry but it's just great
it's like watching two Fiyero generations... yet I still love both of them...
This is why we work on cardio guys
Yes... and I want to point out-> NLB is singing and dancing... those in the background are dancing ONLY (lip syncing if they CAN handle it). The background vocals are STANDING backstage. He is an amazement!!
But why would you cast Aaron Tveit in a role where he's not wearing a t-shirt? why? why rob us of the beauty of his arms?
There were a couple scenes of him shirtless in the show though.
mmmmmmmmm
Aaron being chased by an FBI agent... oh the irony!! 😳
Wow. Just wow.
Bridget Ellen wait I don't get it lol
Aaron played an FBI agent on the TV show Graceland
It sucks when one show dominated the Tonys, in this year's case it was Book of Mormon and despite getting good reviews and getting a few awards, Catch Me If You Can still couldn't survive the juggernaut BOM for long :(
Juan Ayala he absolutely deserved it, but I'm surprised NLB won Best Actor. I honestly thought Book of Mormon was gonna sweep everything
At least Norbert got a well deserved award, just can't understand Aaron not being nominated. Ashame when the Tony judges can't be fair & give credit where it's due!
+krisushi1 I actually disagree. I think Aaron definitely deserved one, but the competition this year was so high that they couldn't give him one. And whilst credit would be due in a year where there isn't such competition, but that year it was so high that he couldn't beat them. Also, he doesn't act for awards, he acts because it's his passion
Isaac Tindall I agree with both your points. It's all about the quality of the nominees that dictates who gets the nod. I doubt also that Aaron cares for awards too. It's easy to tell from his performances that just being out there on stage is more than enough for him.
+Juan Ayala All I know is I have watched a bunch of the performances from this particularly year's tony awards and I loved quite a few. I don't think they were shadowed, each having something that made it special
I saw this live in living color and it's probabably one of my favorite shows. It's brilliant. And Aaron Tveit and Norbert Leo Butz are as well.
My two favorite FIYEROS
The two best Fiyeros for sure
Got to do this musical a few years ago in community theatre. This was the best number to perform in.
NLB... what a mega-talented, amazing guy. This performance was super powerful and he rocked it. He's unstoppable here... and so were his lungs... gosh, what does he do and how does he do it?
Norbert's performance is ASTOUNDING! His energy is so amazing and he's just...wow.
I absolutely love the small detail that the fbi costumes for ensemble have some of the backs looking like the targets used for practice in the first bit of don’t break the rules, small but it makes such a nice reason to have the ensemble there.
NLB is a Performer (with a capital P). And Aaron Tveit's voice (and face) makes me melt so hard.
Jerry Mitchell's choreography doe!! This video is 4 years old and yet every time I watch it I'm blown away!
I agree. NLB did a fantastic job... but someone is behind this performance and they deserve credit as well.
I can’t believe that you are seeing this when it was only 4 years old! Now, for me, your comment is 8 years old, and this video is 12 years old! 😮
I love how NLB plays a college age kid in Wicked (2006) and then 5 years later, plays an older guy in Catch Me If You Can (2011). Gotta love the guy! ♥
Wicked debuted in *2003*, but that's still only 8 years to look 4 decades older, so the point stands.
Them: Can you sing?
me: oh yeah
Them: great, let's start the audition
me: uh
me: what is that
Them: that's the treadmill
me: Uh I don't think you guys understand. I'm an actor. I'm auditioning for the musical
Them: Yeah we know, so hop on and we'll test how you sound at 15 miles per hour
Seriously this show was amazing, I saw it in previews and it was beyond excellent. I think it's really too bad that it fell in the same year as Book of Mormon because if it had been in any other year it would have been the show to beat, but Book of Mormon just dominated everything in it's path.
Except for that one time when Norbz got the Tony and Josh Gad and Andrew Rannells... didn't.
well yeah, but that was the exception. I was so glad he won though I legit cheered
l3murs I adore NLB and he was very deserving of this Tony win for this incredible performance in the entire show (not just this amazing song + crazy/brilliant choreography). But, gotta add that I'll bet Josh Gad and Andrew Rannells split the vote - and that's why Norbie won this year. All three performances were beyond compare for Tonys 2011.
How did I not recognize that was Enjornas in the Les Miz movie?
He had a curly hair wig on haha. i didn't realize it either
hahaha... After watching the film, i was told Aaron was in it. Really? Where? Even going back to see - I nearly missed it. i swear! I would be one of those folks who wouldn't recognize Superman after he put on his glasses. **clunk!**
He stole the show and this number shows you how he did it.
AMEN!
I love Aaron and Norbert so much!!!!! Norbert totally deserved his Tony :))) Aaron deserved one too tho :'(
I didn't know Catch Me if you Can is a broadway show! woah. and that's the dude that was in Les Miserables too! :)
Yep Aaron Tveit who also originated the role of Gabe in Next To Normal, he's gonna be in Moulin Rouge with Karen Olvio starting summer this year so gets those tickets and catch them if you can!!
i had no idea there was a Broadway musical about this! Imagine being the real Frank Abignale. Making it in your life even through fraud and then having a movie AND a Broadway show about your life. That's crazy
The sheer amount of energy Norbert has is tiring. I need to take a nap, and all I did was watch it.
This made 100% confident he is going to rock in Grease Live as Danny.
And he definately did. And it was amazing.
I love how Aaron's introduction is timed perfectly with the orchestra.
I love catch me if you can
3:18 The trumpet part, the weird grabbing motions choreography, Norbert's singing, Norbert's kicks, everything about this part is great.
THE KICKS 🫶🏻🫶🏻
Oh my God that dancing, I'm fangirling so hard
my poor poor ovaries
+v torry Amazing.
Amazing
norbert leo butz is just always having the time of his life
Saw this show on Broadway, it was FANTASTIC. Super underrated show.
Norbert Leo Butz is like Broadway legend. I wonder how many flukes there were before he finally got his big break. He's one of the few massive success stories I've ever heard to come out of the theater. Keep on keepin' on, theater geeks.
I LOVE Norbert Leo Butz's performance here. Amazing! Haven't seen anyone dance like that since Jimmy Cagney....
I’ve watched this video so many times over the years. It’s one of the best performances ever on the Tony’s. Norbert is amazing and the choreography is fantastic!
Norbert is beyond amazing. Aaron is beyond amazing. Both of their talents go unmatched and they are joys to behold. But anyone on here that says this show was better than Book of Mormon either didn't see Book or is Aaron's sister. Come on guys BOM was the best musical to come around in years, and held that title until Hamilton
I will agree; show vs show.
But a few years down the road? Between this and BoM? Whereas I would listen to BoM on occasion and smile.... these songs still have me hitting replay over and over.
Bink Hinkle Next to Normal...
Legend has it, Norbert's feet are still moving.
I could watch this 1000 times! Damn he's good.
ABSOLUTELY.. I swear a quarter of these views are mine. hahahaha
norberts performance is simply electrifying
I melt by his face and voice, Gosh... he's so perfect ♥
But I'm also here because of Norbert, he rocks that song!
OH MY GOOOOOD AARON
God, Norbert is truly one of a kind, what an electrifying stage presence
God. Butz killed it. What a beast.
wow he sure can dance huh
what i really didn't like about this show, was that NLB (to me) looked like he was doing Tom Hanks, not a character/role/person (even for a musical). Aaron was good.
And I didn't really LOVE the soundtrack either... it was a great production, obviously, but yes, competing to the Mormons...well...they had God on their side! :P
lol
obviously, I'm not saying Norbert did a bad job... just the way the direction towards the character went... ok? i love NLB
Dig this!!!
Mark Shaiman deserves much more credit for his work. This show is amazing. Spare me with Hamilton and all those new pop stage adaptations drowning Broadway in mediocrity. THIS is Broadway.
Spotted, Tripp Vanderbilt singing at Tony's, xoxo gossip girl 💋
norbert leo butz's has a very distinctive voice...
holy shit....he just keeps going and going! His energy never flags, that's incredible!
It's a damn shame that this show got cancelled. I wish I could've seen Butz do this live *sigh*
I guess that part where the sound cuts out was actually in the original broadcast and not just an audio glitch with this upload. I would also guess it was intentional since it happens over the “Screw someone’s daughter or his wife” line.
This show doesn’t get enough credit.
NLB is the best. Love that energy and stamina. Great voice. There ain't nothin wrong with this guy at all.
O didn't know that was Norbert Leo Butz until he won the Tony. lol Fail. I love his voice so much
@clownrus Yeah, I know that I mixed up the actors. I did know that whoever played the role was the original.
Did you audio cut in and out halfway thought the video for anyone else?
Absolutely love watch this man perform...
NLB’s dance routine in this song is out of the world!!! Just watched a Hong Kong production of the show, they had to cut NLB’s insane tap dancing of this part and replaced it with something much easier.
People say BOM smashed this Show/song and I‘m like, ok book of mormon is great but let‘s be real....
Also, its a shame Aaron didn't get nominated here. He's caught the young Leonardo Di Caprio's curse of being a one dimensional actor in theater. One day boy, you'll find that breakthrough role
Okay but how do they dance and sing and the audience doesn't hear them breath once?
Norbert Leo Butz will go down as a Broadway legend!! He is so unbelievably talented!!
I remember being obsessed with this in 2011 lol
Lmao I still am.
NLB went from being the con man in dirty rotten scoundrels to being the one chasing con men down 🤭👀
When I saw Catch Me If You Can in previews, once this number was over I was convinced I just watched a Tony-award winning performance....and I was right. Such a deserving win for him...and the show was great too, better than the short run and the reviews suggested.
There IS a Batman Musical, but Commissioner Gordon is played by the amazing Lauren Lopez.
Absolutely brilliant. I love this!!!
The music do be banging tho 🤭👀
Aaron Tveit. The man who should have played Marius in the film.
Yes. He could outsing most of the main cast any day. Even if he had a head cold.
Saw this in June before it closed. It was amazing!
I saw this show on broadway a few nights ago, and it was probably one of the best shows I've seen ever (and I've seen a LOT of shows)! @nafruito - did we go to the same show? Because that's exactly what happened when I was there! Either that or Norbert Leo Butz is just THAT amazing an actor that he gets standing ovations every time he performs...
We learned the very end of Don't Break The Rules at my summer arts camp for dance placement, and it makes me insanely happy that it is almost the exact same choreo as in this.
@clownrus Yeah, I know. I don't know what my comment said, but I knew that whichever actor it was was the one who originated the role.
am i crazy or are they supposed to have tap shoes? i hear tap when don't break the rules is in my head, im seeing tap, but i don't hear any tapping and it's confusing me
Wow I love production numbers
That's how you win a Tony. NLB stole every second of this show.
that crooked smile
He looks like a little kid in that suit and hat. I understand that’s the point but
@DeltaKilo3 Your comment is right ther. One of the last people to post on this video, haha. And you had said you didn't know NLB had played Fiyero at all, you thought they were referring to Aaron Tveit when they spoke about Fiyero.
@TheAlpacaChannel and once again no tony nomination...
@TweekleDee I fail to see what could have been so risque about such a long portion of song... and I can't seem to find a lyrics page anywhere. Know what the lyrics from the censored part were?
i came for copper (Aaron) but i found gold (NLB)
lol if only Leonardo dicaprio accually sang in this. that would kill me bahahaha
AARON TVEIT!!!! I am i love with him!! AAAH. He's my husband, though he doesn't know it yet.