Slow Burn Theatre Co. soars high into its 16th season with a lively production of the musical “Catch Me If You Can,” running now through Oct. 26 at Fort Lauderdale’s Broward Center for the Performing Arts.
Under the assured direction of Patrick Fitzwater, Slow Burn delivers a highly entertaining production that benefits from its young cast, enhanced by South Florida veteran actors and by the choreography of Cat Pagano.
“Catch Me If You Can” follows the exploits of Frank Abagnale Jr., who before his 19th birthday managed to fool people across the country into believing he was a pilot for Pan Am airlines, a doctor, a secret service agent and a lawyer. He also forged millions of dollars in payroll checks that he cashed at banks nationwide under various aliases, raising the attention and ire of the FBI, especially agent Carl Hanratty.
The musical, with a libretto by Terrence McNally and a theatrical score by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman, is based on the 2002 movie that starred Tom Hanks as Carl Hanratty and Leonardo DiCaprio as Frank Abagnale. The movie, in turn, was based on the 1980 autobiography of the same name by Abagnale and Stan Redding. The musical ran on Broadway in 2011, from April to September, receiving four Tony Awards nominations (including one for best musical) and winning Best Actor in a Musical for Norbert Leo Butz.
Despite the star power of the movie, which also featured Martin Sheen, the musical version is more involving, and Slow Burn capitalizes on that as it shows how and why Frank become a con artist.
Set in the mid-1960s, the musical imagines Frank’s life as a TV show, especially “Hullabaloo” and “Shindig!,” two musical variety series of the era that focused on rock ‘n’ roll. The multilevel inviting scenic design by Nikolas Serrano uses that milieu to showcase the talented singers and dancers.
Frank grew up in New Rochelle, New York, the son of Paula and Frank Abagnale Sr., who met in France at the tail end of World War II. Early on, Frank Sr. showed his son little con games, swapping money he didn’t have, manipulating others. “People only know what you tell them” and “People see the uniform not the person” are two maxims Frank Sr. tells his son.
The advice sticks. Frank’s imposter persona begins kinda innocently, when he is mistaken for a substitute teacher because he is wearing a jacket.
Jarod Bakum, Jeanine Levy and Matthew Korinko in Slow Burn Theatre Co.’s “Catch Me If You Can.” (Larry Marano/Courtesy)
But in response to his parents’ pending divorce, Frank runs away. He finds he’s good at making bogus checks and convincing strangers to cash them as he spins tall tales while saying he’s older than he looks. All those bogus checks bring in the FBI.
Frank’s charm is his secret weapon and charm oozes from Jarod Bakum, last seen in Slow Burn’s “Anastasia.” Bakum’s strong voice, sure-footed dance moves and charismatic attitude make his Frank Abagnale a star-making role. Who wouldn’t believe he is a pilot, lawyer and doctor? (Even if the sight of blood makes him ill.) Even though we know he is breaking the law, the audience is always on Frank’s side.
However, Frank meets his match in the tenacious agent Carl Hanratty, persuasively played by Ben Sandomir, who also has the audience on his side. Catching the elusive Frank becomes an obsession for the FBI agent, but Sandomir’s multilayered performance also shows the character’s humanity.
Slow Burn elevates “Catch Me If You Can” with a top-tiered supporting cast who make the journey entertaining, including the outstanding Matthew Korinko (Frank Sr.), Jeanine Levy (Paula Abagnale), Samy Berman (Brenda Strong), Michael Cartwright (Roger Strong) and Britte Steele (Carol Strong). The cast also features first-rate singers and dancers, many of whom will, no doubt, be featured in upcoming Slow Burn productions.
Adding to the production values: the lighting design by Eric Norbury; costumes coordinated by Rick Peña; sound design by Dan Donato; music direction by Paul Tine and dance captain Taylor Hilt Mitchell.
“Catch Me If You Can” starts Slow Burn’s 2025-2026 season with a bang. Next up is Disney’s “Frozen,” from Dec. 13 to Jan. 4.
IF YOU GO
WHAT: “Catch Me If You Can,” presented by Slow Burn Theatre Co.
WHEN: Through Sunday, Oct. 26
WHERE: Amaturo Theater at Broward Center for the Performing Arts, 201 SW Fifth Ave., Fort Lauderdale
TICKETS: Start at $91.45; available by calling 954-462-0222, visiting browardcenter.org or in person at Broward Center’s AutoNation Box Office
INFORMATION: slowburntheatre.org
A version of this review ran in floridatheateronstage.com.
Jarod Bakum, seen here with other cast members, has a strong voice, sure-footed dance moves and a charismatic attitude, all of which make his Frank Abagnale Jr. a star-making role. (Larry Marano/Courtesy)