Overview
Synopsis
Based on the unbelievable true story of one of the most famous con artists in history, Frank Abagnale Jr., Catch Me If You Can is a rousing musical set in the 1960s. We begin as Frank is captured by Agent Carl Hanratty, after years of pursuit. Frank, however, thinks the audience deserves to hear his version of the truth, and narrates his life as a hip, dance-heavy variety television show. We see Frank, as a teenager, run away from his unhappy home to live a life of great adventure, conning people by assuming a multitude of identities: airplane pilot, doctor, and lawyer, to name a few. A fast, rollicking musical by the creative team behind Hairspray, Catch Me If You Can tells the tale of an ingenious, yet lonely, boy looking for his place in the world.
Show Information
- Book
- Terrence McNally
- Music
- Marc Shaiman
- Lyrics
- Scott Wittman , Marc Shaiman
- Category
- Musical
- Age Guidance
- Thirteen Plus (PG-13)
- Number of Acts
- 2
- First Produced
- 2011
- Genres
- Comedy, Historical/Biographical
- Settings
- Multiple Settings
- Time & Place
- 1960’s, united states, various settings
- Cast Size
- medium
- Orchestra Size
- Medium
- Dancing
- Heavy
- Licensor
- Music Theatre International
- Ideal For
- College/University, Community Theatre, High School, Large Cast, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Young Adult, Adult, Mature Adult Characters, Medium Cast
Context
Plot
Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Lead |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Baritone |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Baritone |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Alto |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Alto |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Alto |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
|
|
|
Featured |
Male |
|
|
|
Featured |
Male |
|
|
|
Featured |
Female |
|
|
|
Ensemble |
Either Gender |
Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Baritone, Bass |
Songs
Act One
- *Live in Living Color- Frank Jr. and Company
- The Pinstripes Are All That They See- Frank Sr., Frank Jr., and *Ladies
- Someone Else’s Skin- Frank Jr. and Company
- *Jet Set- Frank Jr. and Company
- Live in Living Color (Reprise)- Frank Jr. and Ensemble
- *Don’t Break the Rules- Carl Hanratty and Ensemble
- The Pinstripes Are All That They See (Reprise)- Ensemble
- *Butta Outta Cream- Frank Jr., Frank Sr., *Ensemble
- The Man Inside the Clues- Carl Hanratty
- Christmas is My Favorite Time of Year- Carl Hanratty, Frank Jr., Frank Sr., and Paula
Act Two
- *Doctor’s Orders- Ensemble
- Live in Living Color (Reprise)- Frank Jr.
- Don’t Be a Stranger- Paula, Frank Sr.
- Little Boy Be a Man- Frank Sr., Carl Hanratty
- Seven Wonders- Frank Jr., Brenda
- *(Our) Family Tree- Carol, Roger, Brenda, Frank Jr. and Ensemble
- Fly, Fly Away- Brenda
- Goodbye- Frank Jr.
- Strange But True- Frank Jr., Carl Hanratty
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
Monologues
Scenes
Key Terms
The imaginary wall between an audience and actors. To “break the fourth wall” means that actors acknowledge that the audience is there.
Telling a story, often accompanying or guiding the central action of the play.
Videos
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Themes, Symbols & Motifs
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