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.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
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