**** Recommended Marriott Theatre’s bright new production of Catch Me If You Can is so much fun! The first time I saw this musical, it reminded me of cotton candy, all pink and fluffy, not a lot of substance. All that is still true, but so what! This talented cast has enthusiastically embraced the essential zaniness, all the ‘who me’ moments, the sheer hubris of the cons. Kudos to Director Jessica Fisch and Choreographer Deidre Goodwin for a terrific production. 4 Spotlights
Catch Me If You Can is loosely based on the autobiography of Frank Abagnale, Jr., Catch Me If You Can: The True Story of a Real Fake published in 1980. The book was adapted into a film, Catch Me If You Can, directed and produced by Steven Spielberg and starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hanks. The musical was written by Terrence McNally, music by Marc Shaiman, and lyrics by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman. After a tryout in Seattle in 2009, it opened on Broadway in 2011.
Frank Abignale, Sr. (Sean Fortunato) is a businessman who’s run into financial trouble but refuses to acknowledge any problems. When he and his wife, Paula (Jessie Fisher) are having problems, he refuses to acknowledge that either. When they split, rather than choose which to live with, young Frank (JJ Niemann) ran away. Since he didn’t have any money, he started writing checks. He got so good at writing checks – that belonged to other people – he caught the attention of the FBI.
After just missing him in a hotel room, FBI Agent Carl Hanratty (Nathaniel Stampley), trailed by Agent Dollar (Justin Albinder), Agent Cod (Alex Goodrich) and Agent Branton (Karl Hamilton) figured out that his con man wasn’t a master criminal, but just a kid. Hurrying out of that hotel, Frank, Jr. encountered a group of Pan Am stewardesses. Following them to the airport, he donned a uniform and became a pilot. As he flew all over the world, he continued to kite checks. Meanwhile, Hanratty tracked down Frank, Sr. – now a drunk - and Paula – married to someone else.
Just when Hanratty was about to catch him, Frank, Jr. quit flying and moved to Atlanta. Since the residents of his apartment complex were all doctors and nurses, he became a doctor, and actually got a job supervising the Emergency Room. When he fell in love with a nurse named Brenda (Mariah Lyttle), he decided he wanted to quit the cons and get married.
Leaving Atlanta just ahead of the FBI, Frank, Jr. went to New Orleans to meet Brenda’s parents. Her father, Roger Strong (James Earl Jones II) was a lawyer, so Frank, Jr. said he was a lawyer. Her mother, Carol (Alexis J Roston), was so impressed with him, she threw a huge engagement party which was raided by the FBI. He got away, but was apprehended at the Miami Airport on his way out of the country.
With everyone in the ensemble playing multiple parts and singing/dancing, you’ll see them wearing FBI suits/trench coats, mini-skirts & go-go boots, pilot/stewardess uniforms, medical coats & nurse’s caps, Playboy Bunny costumes, even nun’s habits. The ensemble: Emma Grace Bailey, Brian Bandura, Katie Scarlett Brunson, Sophie Liu David, Nichole Forde, Ron King, Emma Ogea, Alexandra Palkovic, Tommy Rivera-Vega and Lucas Thompson. Understudies: Ivan Bracy Jr., Anna Louise Bramlett, Morgan DiFonzo, Albert Sterner, and Elaine Watson.
The Marriott Orchestra includes Chris Sargent (Conductor/Keyboard), Celia Villacres (Associate Conductor/Keyboard), Karli Bunn (Soprano Sax/Alto Sax/Clarinet/Flute), Matt Wifler (Tenor Sax/Clarinet/Bass Clarinet/Flute), Hardin Butcher (Lead Trumpet), Steve Duncan (Trombone), José Guzmán (Acoustic/Electric Guitar/Banjo), Trevor Jones (Acoustic/Electric Bass/Music Coordinator), Tom Hipskind (Drums).
Catch Me If You Can runs through October 19th at Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriot Drive, Lincolnshire. Parking is free; valet parking is also available.
Running time is two hours, 35 minutes with an intermission. Performances are Wednesdays at 1:00 & 7:00 pm; Thursdays at 7:00 pm; Fridays at 7:30 pm; Saturdays at 4:00 and 8:00 pm; Sundays at 1:00 and 5:00 pm with select Thursday 1:00 pm matinees. Tickets start at $70-$88. FYI (847) 634-0200, www.ticketmaster.com or www.marriotttheatre.com.
Attendees are encouraged to enjoy a yummy pop-up dining experience at the PanAm Grille at Three Embers Restaurant, choosing the Prix Fixe Menu or a selection from the more extensive Grille Menu. The Prix Fixe Menu, inspired by First-Class Menus of the Pan Am Clippers, is priced at $49 per person (tax & gratuity not included).
First Course: The Layover Ladle, Squash & Pink Lady Apple Soup or the Mile High Market Salad. Second Course: Conman’s Cut (Brochette of Beef with Valencia Rice & Broccolini), The Captain’s Carve (Broiled Chicken with Chestnut Dressing, Cranberries, Cheesy Polenta Croquettes & Broccolini), Catch Me at Sea (Whitefish Stuffed with Crab Meat, Croquettes, Lemon Cream Sauce & Bok Choy) or The Green Getaway (Rich French Beans, Bok Choy & Valencia Rice). Finally, the scrumptious Dessert: Chocolate Cover-Up (Mint Chip Cheesecake, Oreo Crust with Chocolate Sauce).