Photo by Carol Rosegg
“Catch Me If You Can” runs through May 19 at the Fisher Theatre in Detroit. For tickets, call 800-982-2787 or go to ticketmaster.com or www.BroadwayInDetroit.com.
By Sue Suchyta
If you enjoyed Steven Spielberg’s 2002 film “Catch Me If You Can,” you will love the energy and music of the stage show by the same name at the Fisher Theatre. Do not wait too long, though – it is only here through May 19.
For tickets, call Ticketmaster at 800-982-2787, online at www.ticketmaster.com or go to www.BroadwayinDetroit.com.
Based on the life of Frank Abagnale Jr., who ran away from home at 16 when his parents divorced, the show chronicles his amazing journey as a con artist.
Abagnale started by forging checks, which eventually totaled millions of dollars, and he passed himself off as a Pan Am pilot, a doctor and a lawyer. How he pulled it off, and had the FBI on his tail makes for a fascinating and fast-paced story.
The song and dance numbers are fast-paced and professionally performed, and the ’60s costumes are colorful and fun to see. Baby boomers will definitely enjoy the trip down memory lane when they see everything from Pan Am stewardesses to the early color TV peacock logo.
The projection screens with moving images are a neat touch, too, with everything from a passenger plane taxiing into an airport to a New York City street level skyline view.
Stephen Anthony as Abagnale is so much fun to watch, you’ll find yourself secretly hoping he continues to pull off each con.
Aubrey Mae Davis is a bombshell of energy and personality as Brenda, the woman who gets Abagnale finally thinking about ending a life of crime and finally facing the truth.
Merritt David Janes as FBI agent Carl Hanratty is entertaining as the old-fashioned gumshoe in a pre-Internet age.
Dominic Fortuna plays Frank Abagnale Sr. from his glory days to pitiful decline with ease.
Caitlin Maloney is polished and poised as Frank Sr.’s French war bride, Paula, and she is resplendent in gorgeous period dresses.
The musical intentionally takes on the mantle of being its own show during an era when song and dance shows were a popular television staple.
Interestingly enough, after serving time in prison for his teenage rollercoaster of crime, Abagnale helped the FBI by teaching them about document fraud and embezzlement for more than 30 years.
So catch the show while you can, and enjoy the fast-paced ride, with a trip down memory lane on the house!
WSU THEATERS ANNOUNCE 2013-14 SEASON
Wayne State University’s theater program has announced the lineup for their graduate and undergraduate theater offerings.
The Bonstelle will launch its season with Thornton Wilder’s “Our Town,” followed by Jennifer Kirkeby and Shirley Mier’s “’Twas the Night Before Christmas.” The black theater offering is “In the Red and Brown Water,” followed by the musical “Guys and Dolls.”
At the Hilberry, the season starts out with Shakespeare’s “MacBeth,” followed by Charles L. Mee’s “Big Love.”
Moliere’s “The Doctor In Spite of Himself” is followed by Moises Kaufman’s “Gross Indecency: The Three Trials of Oscar Wilde,” Ken Ludgwig’s “Moon Over Buffalo” and Tracey Letts’ “August: Osage County.”
To order season subscriptions by phone, call 313-577-2972 or go to www.TheatreandDance.Wayne.edu.