Displaying items by tag: JJ Niemann
Review: Catch Me If You Can at Marriott Theatre
Having followed JJ Niemann’s Broadway career on social media for years, I was especially eager to see him take the lead in Marriott Theatre’s revival of Catch Me If You Can. While social media offers curated glimpses – often in the form of brief, specially selected clips – Niemann proved from the very first moment that his talent extends far beyond a phone screen. As Frank Abagnale Jr (and all of his many alter egos), he delivered remarkable acting, vocals, dance, and charisma, captivating the audience every second of the 2.5-hour show. Put simply, he was flawless, stepping into a role once played by Leonardo DiCaprio on the big screen and making it entirely his own on the Marriott’s stage.
If anyone could have carried the entire production single-handedly, it would have been JJ Niemann – but fortunately, he didn’t have to. Every member of the cast shone on the stage in every aspect, truly making the show a shared success.
Though positioned as Frank’s pursuer and foil, Carl Hanratty (played by Nathaniel Stampley) was endearing in his own gruff way. Amplified by powerhouse vocals and his chemistry with Niemann, Stampley lent real emotional weight to the main character’s cat-and-mouse dynamic. He was supported by a trio of FBI agents (played by Justin Albinder, Alex Goodrich, and Karl Hamilton), each leaning into a distinct, delightfully caricatured 1960s-cop persona that balanced humor with crisp stage presence.
Frank Jr’s parents, Paula and Frank Sr Abagnale (played by Jessie Fisher and Sean Fortunato), were equally memorable, both pairing outstanding vocals with impressive dancing for numerous numbers throughout the production. Fortunato’s descent into drunkenness was one of the best that I’ve ever seen on stage, making it captivatingly painful to watch.
And then there was Brenda Strong (played by Mariah Lyttle), Frank’s love interest and an understated character who is introduced later in the story. In lesser hands, this role may very easily be overshadowed; however, she was unforgettable. With her soaring rendition of “Fly, Fly Away,” Lyttle transformed an incredible, but quiet, presence into one of the evening’s most breathtaking moments.
The ensemble as a whole was excellent, but the women of the cast especially stood out. They cycled through what felt like countless costumes, each one helping chart Frank’s quick pivots from one setting to the next. With every lightning-fast change of outfit and role, they embodied entirely new characters with sharp precision, bringing fresh energy to each scene.
For those unfamiliar with Marriott Theatre, its productions are staged in the round, with the audience on all sides. This format can pose real challenges, from sightline issues to spacing constraints, and often risks making the stage feel cluttered. Layer on top of that a show like Catch Me If You Can, which demands constant shifts in setting, and this could easily be a recipe for disaster. Yet here, the design choices were ingenious.
The main scenic elements were just two benches – retro enough to scream 1960s airport or that could have been pulled from The Jetsons – sitting on a circular track that rotated around the stage. Paired with set pieces that came and went through the aisles, the transitions felt effortless and kept up with the naturally fast pace of the show. When combined with the lighting, costumes, and hair and makeup, everything came together into a strikingly cohesive and thoughtfully designed production. Much credit is due to director Jessica Fisch, whose vision kept all of these moving parts balanced and unified.
It was clear that every detail of this production was carefully planned and executed, and paired with a cast this talented, the result was something truly special. Catch Me If You Can is an absolute must-see, running at Marriott Theatre through October 19th. Tickets are available at https://www.marriotttheatre.com/show/catch-me-if-you-can.
*This review is also featured on https://www.theatreinchicago.com/!
Steppenwolf's Adirondack Chair Circle: The Joke Lands. Then What?
03 November 2026 in Theatre in ReviewI went into Adirondack Chair Circle wondering what a new play about book bans could add to a conversation whose…
Nov. 23 at the MAC: "An Evening with Gary Sinise" Author of "Graceful Warrior" to Benefit WSFDV
03 November 2026 in Theatre BuzzWest Suburban Foundation for Disabled Veterans (WSFDV) presents "An Evening with Gary Sinise," Author of "Graceful Warrior" at the McAninch Arts…
David Salsbery Fry returns to Chicago Opera Theater for fourth production with company in Chicago Premiere The Importance of Being Earnest - December 2-6
02 November 2026 in Upcoming TheatreDavid Salsbery Fry sings the role of Rev. Canon Chasuble in the Chicago Premiere of Chicago Opera Theater’s (COT) production…
Rick Bayless, Anthony Rapp, Jeff Tweedy and More Join Goodman Theatre's Holiday Season
02 November 2026 in Upcoming TheatreFrom an internationally renowned chef and the world-famous rock frontman of Wilco, to a Pulitzer Prize-nominated author and a handful…
Oil Lamp Academy Announces the Schedule of 2027 Youth and Adult Winter and Spring Class Offerings - Tickets Now On Sale
02 November 2026 in Theatre BuzzOil Lamp Theater’s Oil Lamp Academy, 1009 Waukegan Rd., announces 2027 winter and spring classes are on sale now. Offerings…
Remarkable Production Makes 'The Royale" a Knockout Show
02 November 2026 in Theatre in ReviewWriters Theatre scores a knockout production with Marco Ramirez’s 2013 play, The Royale. Under the direction of Tyrone Phillips, we…
A Call You Want To Answer: Jerker, Or The Helping Hand speaks volumes in Uptown
30 October 2026 in Theatre in ReviewThere are no shortage of stories to be told in Chicago. Whether you’re visiting a museum, riding the L, or…
Joffrey Ballet's The Nutcracker returns with all-new projections, Dec 4-27
30 October 2026 in Upcoming DanceThe Joffrey Ballet announces the return of two-time Tony Award®-winning choreographer Christopher Wheeldon's The Nutcracker this holiday season. For the…
Metropolis Performing Arts Centre Presents A CHRISTMAS CAROL December 3 - 19
30 October 2026 in Upcoming TheatreMetropolis Performing Arts Centre, located in the heart of downtown Arlington Heights, 111 W. Campbell St., is proud to announce…
Metropolis Performing Arts Centre Announces Cast and Creative Team for The Christmas Schooner, November 24, 2026 - January 3, 2027
30 October 2026 in Upcoming TheatreMetropolis Performing Arts Centre, located in the heart of downtown Arlington Heights, 111 W. Campbell St., is proud to announce…
Comedian Nate Jackson brings 'Big Dog Tour' to The Auditorium December 4th
30 October 2026 in Upcoming TheatreThe Auditorium (Chicago’s landmark stage at 50 E. Ida B. Wells Drive) proudly presents comedian Nate Jackson as part of…
A Mystery of Mysteries : David Parr: Time Traveler Transcends Logic at Chicago Magic Lounge
30 October 2026 in Theatre in ReviewIt wouldn’t be Chicago history without a few mysteries nestled amongst the ivy and six cornered paths. For every historical…
ROMEO + JULIET FILM IN CONCERT Coming to Broadway In Chicago January 30th, 2027
29 October 2026 in Upcoming TheatreGEA Live, in collaboration with Disney Concerts and Baz Luhrmann , along with Broadway In Chicago, are excited to announce…
The Beloved Holiday Classic, "Ruth Page's The Nutcracker," Celebrates 60 Years at Four Chicagoland Locations This Holiday Season, December 5–20
29 October 2026 in Upcoming DanceThe Ruth Page Center for the Arts is proud to present its annual live production of "Ruth Page's The Nutcracker"…
A Masterwork Reanimated: Manual Cinema's Frankenstein Still Inspires Awe
29 October 2026 in Theatre in ReviewSince premiering at Court Theatre in 2018, Manual Cinema's Frankenstein has stood as one of Chicago's most remarkable theatrical achievements.…
3Arts Celebrates the Artists Who Make Chicago Shine: 2026 Awards Celebration honors the creative voices shaping Chicago’s cultural landscape.
27 October 2026 in Theatre BuzzOn Monday, October 26, 2026, the Harris Theater for Music and Dance became a gathering place for Chicago’s artistic community…
3Arts distributes $860,000 in unrestricted grants to Chicago artists at 3Arts Awards, surpassing $10M in lifetime funding
27 October 2026 in Theatre Buzz3Arts, the Chicago-based nonprofit grantmaking organization, awarded $860,000 to Chicago artists and announced the recipients of its 3Arts Next Level…
Hell in a Handbag Presents IT’S A HORRIBLE LIFE – A GOLDEN GIRLS LOST EPISODES MUSICAL PARODY – December 3, 2026 – January 3, 2027 at Theater Wit
26 October 2026 in Upcoming TheatreHell in a Handbag Productions is pleased to launch its 25th Anniversary Season with the world premiere of It's a…
Guarneri Hall announces two-day series REVOLUTIONS on the intersection between music, politics, and social change November 11-12, 2026
26 October 2026 in Upcoming TheatreThe nonprofit Guarneri Hall, a state-of-the-art, custom-built classical music venue in the heart of downtown Chicago at 11 E. Adams…
The Front Theatre announces casting for the North American Premiere of Sap February 25 - March 27, 2027
26 October 2026 in Upcoming TheatreThe Front Theatre announces casting for the North American premiere of Rafaella Marcus's highly acclaimed play Sap, directed by Charles Riffenburg. Sap is…
Chicago Magic Lounge's Mister Danny Reveals How It's Done in New Artist-in-Residence Show
23 October 2026 in Upcoming TheatreChicago Magic Lounge welcomes back magician and high school science teacher Mister Danny as its first Artist in Residence of…
The Artistic Home 2026-27 Season to include Arthur Miller’s THE PRICE, Chekhov’s IVANOV, and the annual CUT TO THE CHASE festival of one-act plays
23 October 2026 in Theatre BuzzThe Artistic Home's 2026-27 season will include works by new writers, along with less performed works by two of the…
Hyde Park School of Dance presents annual performances of The Nutcracker December 11–13 at Mandel Hall
21 October 2026 in Upcoming DanceHyde Park School of Dance, now in its 33rd year of training, performance, and community, welcomes families and dance enthusiasts…
Holiday Hilarity! Paramount presents The Second City’s Nut-Cracking Holiday Revue at downtown Aurora’s Copley Theatre, Nov. 20-Dec. 23
21 October 2026 in Upcoming TheatreNeed something better than old reruns of Hallmark Movies this holiday season? Want to see some real nut-crackers? Then dash…
Mary, A Holiday Dansical Returns for one performance only at Logan Center December 13th
21 October 2026 in Upcoming DanceBlack Girls Dance®, which centers Black and Brown girls in joyful community, presents its sixth annual production of Mary, A…
The Gift Theatre's Hayward: A Floridian-Style Shiva
20 October 2026 in Theatre in ReviewThere are funerals where grief brings a family together, and then there are funerals where grief opens the door to…
Chicago Shakespeare Makes Winter’s Tale a Story Worth Telling
20 October 2026 in Theatre in ReviewChicago Shakespeare Theater’s production of The Winter’s Tale delivers a compelling evening of theater, showcasing an exceptional company of actors…
Steppenwolf Theatre Presents JESSIE MUELLER WITH SETH RUDETSKY – December 18 & 19, 2026
20 October 2026 in Upcoming TheatreSteppenwolf Theatre Company and Mark Cortale are pleased to announce the return of Tony Award-winning Broadway star Jessie Mueller (Beautiful:…
Remy Bumppo’s Mud Row: A Family Haunted by the Past
20 October 2026 in Theatre in ReviewRemy Bumppo opens its 30th anniversary season with Mud Row, a play by Tony Award nominee and MacArthur “Genius” Grant…
A Joe & Melanie Thing Theatre Company announces The Hanukkah Humbug at Greenhouse Theater Center - December 3-6
20 October 2026 in Upcoming TheatreThe world premiere of The Hanukkah Humbug brings ghosts, history, tradition, and a whole lot of family fun to the…
Latest Articles
-
Steppenwolf's Adirondack Chair Circle: The Joke Lands. Then What?
Written by Maddie BurroughsI went into Adirondack Chair Circle wondering what a new play about book bans could add to a conversation whose arguments most of its audience could probably already recite. A world premiere at Steppenwolf seemed worth giving the benefit of… -
Nov. 23 at the MAC: "An Evening with Gary Sinise" Author of "Graceful Warrior" to Benefit WSFDV
Written by Buzz Center StageWest Suburban Foundation for Disabled Veterans (WSFDV) presents "An Evening with Gary Sinise," Author of "Graceful Warrior" at the McAninch Arts Center (MAC) located on the campus of College of DuPage, 425 Fawell Blvd. Monday, Nov. 23 at 6:30 p.m. Sinise, an… -
Remarkable Production Makes 'The Royale" a Knockout Show
Written by Bill EslerWriters Theatre scores a knockout production with Marco Ramirez’s 2013 play, The Royale. Under the direction of Tyrone Phillips, we see this widely-produced script (it played New York’s Lincoln Center a decade ago) executed to perfection. Centered on boxing legend… -
David Salsbery Fry returns to Chicago Opera Theater for fourth production with company in Chicago Premiere The Importance of Being Earnest - December 2-6
Written by Buzz Center StageDavid Salsbery Fry sings the role of Rev. Canon Chasuble in the Chicago Premiere of Chicago Opera Theater’s (COT) production of Castelnuovo-Tedesco’s humorous and final stage work – a “sparkling operatic adaptation of Oscar Wilde’s beloved play and a joyful tribute to…
Does your theatre company want to connect with Buzz Center Stage or would you like to reach out and say "hello"? Message us through facebook or shoot us an email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
*This disclaimer informs readers that the views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in the text belong solely to the author, and not necessarily to Buzz Center Stage. Buzz Center Stage is a non-profit, volunteer-based platform that enables, and encourages, staff members to post their own honest thoughts on a particular production.