LINCOLNSHIRE, Ill.—He was only 22 years old, and he was already a pilot, a lawyer, and a doctor. Though hard to believe, somehow the young Frank Abagnale Jr. conned everyone into believing he was all those things.
A Remarkable Life
The story begins as Frank (JJ Niemann) looks over his shoulder at the man behind him, who has been hot on his trail. Frank has been pursued by an FBI agent who has tracked him down to the Miami International Airport. He’s caught, and as he’s being arrested, Frank recalls his life, which unfolds in flashbacks.
As the story begins, we see Frank’s home life. His father, Frank Abagnale Sr. (Sean Fortunato), is hopeless with money and is being hounded by the IRS. His mother, Paula (Jessie Fisher), is having an affair. The family is losing their home. Frank’s parents begin pursuing divorce, and then there’s a hearing over who will get custody of him. It’s just too much for a young boy to handle. He’s only 16 and is so overwhelmed that he decides to run away.
Some actors temporarily escape personal problems by portraying different characters. Frank pushes escapism to another level by taking on real-life roles. He becomes an expert forger, dons a uniform, forges a fake ID, and lands a job with Pan American Airlines. He convinces a doctor that he’s a pediatrician and is offered a job at Atlanta General Hospital. He even supervises a surgical procedure. It’s amazing how easily he fools others, including a young nurse he meets at the hospital who falls in love with him.
Eventually, Frank’s forgery of checks and his aliases catch up with him as FBI agent Carl Hanratty (Nathaniel Stampley) discovers his crimes and begins to chase him. The cat-and-mouse game played by both men is the most compelling thread that runs through the show. Hanratty, who has no children, begins to feel fatherly towards Frank, and Frank, who had difficulties with his own father, develops an emotional attachment to Hanratty. The bond is heartfelt, and Hanratty offers Frank a job with the FBI when he’s released from jail.
With a book by playwright Terrence McNally, music by Marc Shaiman, and lyrics by Scott Wittman, the show features some exuberant musical numbers that range in style from 1950s jazz to 1960s pop rock, spirited choreography by Deidre Goodwin, engaging video projections of airports and hospitals by Anthony Churchill, and costuming by Sully Ratke that gives the production a mid-twentieth-century feel.
Elegantly directed by Jessica Fisch, the musical is sleek and sophisticated, and the portrayals are top-notch. Handsome Niemann delivers such a charismatic portrayal of Frank Jr. that we understand why he would be able to manipulate others into believing whatever he wants them to believe. He does a superb job rushing from one adventure to another, which he enhances with his powerful singing of “Live in Living Color,” “Someone Else’s Skin,” “Seven Wonders,” and “Jet Set.”
Stampley is effective as the obsessed, down-to-earth Hanratty. He has a velvety voice and delivers a nice turn singing “The Man Inside the Clues” and also has a comedic moment when he belts out “Don’t Break the Rules.”
Others who contribute fine performances include Fortunato as Frank’s father, who is superb when he gives his son advice with “Little Boy, Be a Man,” and Fisher is seductive as Paula, Frank Sr.’s faithless wife. In addition, Lyttle plays Frank’s love interest, Brenda, and almost stops the show when she sings the highlight musical number “Fly, Fly Away.”
Sometimes during unstable political and economic times, letting your mind wander to another time and place and living vicariously off another’s adventurous exploits can be a helpful way of reducing stress. “Catch Me If You Can” not only provides that kind of escapism but also offers plenty of razzle-dazzle, laugh-filled entertainment.
