Marco Vigliotti
Theatre Sarnia is set to kick off its 88th season with what producers are calling a “larger than life” musical comedy based on the true story of a savvy, high-flying teenage conman.
Catch Me If You Can, adapted from the 2002 film of the same name, will open its run at the Imperial Theatre this month with first-time director Andrew Colborne promising a fun and exciting production.
"We’ve got an awesome cast. It’s going to be a really cool (and) fun show,” he told the Journal.
The musical tells the story of con artist Frank Abagnale Jr., who managed to successfully impersonate a doctor, a lawyer and a jet pilot all before he reached the age of 21. At the heart of the weaving narrative of false identities is the cat-and-mouse chase between Abagnale and his restless pursuer, no-nonsense FBI agent Carl Hanratty.
And all the madcap action will be set to what producers are calling a "jazzy, swinging-sixties score."
Colborne says the appeal of the show lies in its “far-fetched” but entirely true story.
“It’s a true account of this guy’s life,” he said of Abagnale, who was portrayed by Leonardo DiCaprio in the critically acclaimed film. “It’s sort of the perfect storm of musical theatre meets true story.”
Abagnale, Colborne notes, was “just a kid” when he managed to pull off these “amazing” feats of deception.
While the production may mark Colborne’s directorial debut, he credits a lifetime of working in theatre and assistance from some wily, experienced counterparts for ensuring preparations went smoothly.
Colborne praises his wife Tia, who served as the production’s choreographer, and musical director Dan Sonier for handling the dance and musical end of the show respectively, which he says allowed him to concentrate solely on directing.
“It’s been a real easy first step for me ... because I don’t have to micromanage what’s going on with the music and I don’t have to worry about what’s going on with the dance,” he explained. “I know their stuff is going to be solid.”
Around 60-70 people, according to Colborne, are involved with the production.
IF YOU GO
WHAT: Theatre Sarnia presents ‘Catch Me If You Can.’
WHERE: Imperial Theatre,
WHEN: Oct. 24 and 25 at 7:30 p.m., Oct. 26 at 2 p.m. and Oct. 29 to Nov. 1 at 7:30 p.m.
COST: $28 for adults, $25 for seniors and $14 for students.
OTHER: Tickets available at the Imperial Theatre box-office, online at http://www.imperialtheatre.net or by phone at (519)-344-7469.