Catch Me If You Can
My thoughts on Catch Me If You Can or…you will want to be caught!
I was not a big fan of Catch Me If You Can initially. I actually fell asleep watching it on Broadway where it had a less than successful run. I enjoyed the score by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman, but Terrence McNally’s book tried to cover far too much, and the momentum of the show lagged.
Cut to years later in DFW and Catch Me has caught me three times. With a streamlined book, this musical takes off like one of the jets conman supreme Frank Abagnale Jr. copiloted. I’ve enjoyed each incarnation of Catch Me I’ve seen in Dallas, but this production from Garland Summer Musicals and helmed by Director Patty Granville is a sumptuous eyepopping feast of a musical that rivals many shows I’ve seen in NYC.
The sheer scale of this Catch Me is impressive. Set Designer Rodney Dobbs brings vibes of all those early 60’s variety shows with a screened wall with midcentury looking cutouts fronted by a double staircase. It looks like the sets where leggy showgirls served as a background for crooners like Dean Martin or Perry Como. Jason S. Foster’s lighting brings vibrant, changing colors to the scenario. The song “Live in Living Color” lets us know that the musical will indeed be a variety show of sorts depicting the various ruses and disguises used by Frank Jr. to deceive so many for so long.
Michael A. Robinson/Dallas Costume Shoppe serves as the costumer and has the huge cast, especially the female members, looking sharp and period appropriate. There are stewardess costumes and nurse costumes and some gorgeous dresses adorned with musical notes for the ladies who “sing along with Mitch.” There’s even a mink coat which covers the bathing suit of “bunny” and high-priced prostitute Cheryl Ann played with sexy sass by Caren Sharpe. It is quite dazzling to see this beautifully clad ensemble (which includes 22 multi-talented actors if I counted correctly) performing Choreographer Kelly McCain’s intricate and inventive choreography which often caused the audience to break into applause.
I want to especially recognize Jay Hogg the Sound Designer. On the way to the musical, I lamented how I had never attended a performance in this auditorium that did not have sound problems. Kudos to you, Mr. Hogg, as there was nary a glitch during the evening.
One of the major reasons this Catch Me is such a winner is the Music Director Scott A. Eckert and the fourteen-member orchestra he conducts. What a thrill it is to hear an orchestra that size making every musical number sound luxurious. Bravo sir and bravo orchestra!
There are many outstanding performances in Catch Me. Will Mills, Harrison Shaw, and especially Dylan Ciminna, who can get a laugh just with a look or a gesture, are comical as the FBI agents.
The big voice of Aaron Gallagher makes for a commanding Frank Sr. who explains the art of being a conman to his son in “The Pinstripes Are All That They See.” Gallagher is also exceptional portraying Frank Sr’s decline and descent into alcoholism.
I admired the coolness and elegance of Christine Phelan as Frank Jr’s mother Paula, a beautiful young French woman who married Frank Sr at 16. Phelan makes the disillusioned Paula enchanting and her song and dance number “Don’t Be a Stranger” is lovely.
Suzanne Toler and Steve Golin are superb as Carol and Roger Strong, the parents of Frank Jr’s fiancé, Brenda. They are tried and true New Orleans based Southerners and have great pride in their heritage. They turn the song “Our Family Tree” into a delicious comedy number and Toler’s high-spirited outbursts as Carol are hilarious.
Riley Martens as Frank Jr’s fiancé Brenda Strong projects strength and sincerity. She’s a “stand by your man” woman and loyal to Frank Jr even when he reveals his true identity. Martens, an appealing actor, also has a gorgeous voice and literally stopped the show with “Fly, Fly Away,” a terrific eleven o’clock number.
I always think of Catch Me If You Can as an American Les Mis with Frank Jr and Carl Hanratty being lighthearted versions of Valjean and Javert. Are we ever lucky that Brian Gonzales is our Carl “Javert” Hanratty. Gonzales, a Broadway vet, brings wit and charm to the lonely Hanratty who is obsessed with capturing Frank Jr to secure a promotion within the FBI. I have been a fan of Gonzales’ acting for a while now, but I didn’t realize that he is also quite a formidable song and dance man. From the up tempo “Don’t Break the Rules” to the bluesy “The Man Inside the Clues,” Gonzales delivers all the musical theater goods.
Gideon Ethridge. If you don’t know that name now, you will soon. I’ve been a fan of Ethridge for over four years and have seen his prodigious talents elevate shows on many DFW stages. However, until now I have never seen him in a leading role on a huge stage in a lavish production with a full orchestra. As Frank Abagnale Jr, Ethridge commands the stage with his magnificent voice and charismatic presence. He is on stage almost constantly singing and dancing and charming the audience. It’s an epic performance that reminded me of Hugh Jackman in The Boy From Oz. Everything about this young man says STAR. Trust me, you do not want to miss this performance.
It goes without saying that Director Patty Granville knows her way around a musical comedy and this time she hits a great big homer. Garland Summer Musicals’ Catch Me If You Can is musical theater gold. Catch it while you can.
