Saturday, April 6, 2019


CATCH ME IF YOU CAN by Carol Kaufman Segal
            Catch Me if You Can was first a book by Frank Abagnale Jr., followed by a movie based on his book, followed by a musical based on the movie, all of which are based on the true story of this astonishing man., Frank Abagnale, Jr.. Catch Me If You Can the Musical is a production of Musical Theater West playing at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center in Long Beach.  The book was written by Terrence McNally with music by Marc Shaiman and lyrics by Scott Wittman and Marc Shaiman (who also wrote the music and lyrics for Charlie and the Chocolate Factory)
            The musical begins when Frank (Jacob Haren) is trapped at the Miami International Airport by an FBI Agent, Carl Hanratty (Jeff Skowron) and his squad (Richard Bulda, Jeffrey Scott Parsons, and Jonathan Sangster).  When Hanratty begins questioning Frank about how he has managed to get away with all the tricks of his trade for so many years, he promises to disclose his secrets if he will let him reveal his entire story to him and his men.  And thus the story begins.
            The show then becomes a flashback of Frank’s life, when, at the age of 17, his parents (Michael Corbett as Frank Abagnale, Sr. and Sandy Bainum as Paula Abagnale) file for divorce, and when they fight over custody of him, he becomes so upset he decides to run away.  From that time on, he becomes an unbelievable con man, a person with an unusual mind because he first figures out how to write and cash fake checks, then how to pass as an expert in a number of fields, and gets away with it, claiming to be a lawyer, spending time as an airplane pilot, to working as a pediatrician at a children’s hospital.  Because he has cashed millions of dollars worth of checks, and held occupations for which he was not qualified, Hanratty and his men had begun their search for him
            As faith would have it, Frank falls in love with a nurse, Brenda Strong (Katie Sapper) and she brings him to New Orleans to meet her Mother, Carol Strong (Rebecca Spencer), and her Father, Roger Strong (Doug Carfrae).  Frank wants to impress Brenda’s parents and tells them that he is a lawyer, a doctor, and because he knows their religion, a Lutheran!  Even though they don’t believe him, they approve of his continued company with Brenda.  He then proposes to her and she accepts 
            Prior to their engagement party, Frank becomes aware that Hanratty has finally tracked him down.  Since he has to run in order not to be caught, he tells his story to Brenda and tells her he will return to her as soon as he is safe from Hanratty.  Just as he departs, Hanratty shows up and questions her as to where Frank has gone.  Because she loves him, she refuses to give him the information, but Hanratty finds a way to get it from her.
            The scene then returns to the airport where Frank was caught and he completes his story.  When Hanratty warns him not to try to run, he realizes if he does, he could be killed.  Therefore, he gives up.   Frank Abagnale, was sentenced to fifteen years in prison, but was  released after serving seven years.  Because of the value of this man, he is hired by the FBI to work with Hanratty where theirs is a friendly partnership.  Of course, Frank keeps his promise to Havverty!
            A great story?  Most certainly it is.  But what makes this production so great is not just the story, but the way it is presented with the wonderful music by Shaiman and Wittman the outstanding performances by the entire cast, the dancing  by beautiful chorus girls (Choreographer Peggy Hickey}, a fine orchestra (Music Director Dennis Castellano), and the outstanding direction by Larry Rabin.
            
Catch Me If You Can, produced by Musical Theater West, continues at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center on the Cal State Long Beach campus, 6200 Atherton St., in Long Beach, through April 14.  Tickets are available at www.musical.org, by calling (562) 856-1999, or at the Musical Theatre West box office.


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