Merritt David Janes News

Cameron Mackintosh and Andrew Lloyd Webber's Really Useful Group just announced the casting and initial tour schedule for their spectacular new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA launching a major North American Tour in Providence, R.I. at the Providence Performing Arts Center. With newly reinvented staging and stunning scenic design, this new version of PHANTOM, the most successful musical of all-time, will be performed by a cast and orchestra of 52, making this one of the largest productions on tour in North America.

If you're one of the many people who have already caught a glimpse of CATCH ME IF YOU CAN: THE MUSICAL, the Broadway stage adaptation of Frank Abagnale, Jr.'s real-life adventures that has been touring the country since October of last year, then you would have no doubt sat up and took notice of the charming young man at the center of the show. That would be fresh-faced Stephen Anthony, whose impressive performance in the show was one of its most entertaining assets, introducing audiences to a brand new rising musical theater star we should all look out for in bigger and better things in the near future. But before the national tour plays its final-ever shows in Costa Mesa this week, Anthony agreed to answer a few silly questions from BroadwayWorld's Michael Lawrence Quintos.

The true story of a teenager who plays a game of Catch Me if You Can with the FBI is already larger than life, but this musical, making a tour stop at the Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts in Hartford, takes it way over the top by adding full-scale musical numbers, kick-line choreography and glitzy costumes.

Catch Me If You Can really does catch the audience by surprise. The national tour of the musical, currently playing at the Fisher Theatre, is entertaining from start to finish. Based on a true story and a 2002 film of the same title by Steven Spielberg, it tells the tale of Frank Abagnale, Jr., who between the ages of 16 and 21, forged and cashed $2.5 million worth of bad checks in the United States and other countries. The show begins at the end then retells the story of what Frank, Jr. did and the FBI officer who chased him and eventually caught him.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'Catch Me' a 'Big Fish' in the Loop, 'Barnum' and 'Sweet Charity' keep Coleman in the spotlight, 'The Pajama Game' up north, 'Oliver! out west, two from Theo Ubique and more!

While certainly a fun, buoyant little show---featuring some enjoyable music from HAIRSPRAY composers Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman, as well as a very likable, extremely talented young actor, Stephen Anthony, at the center of its semi-autobiographical tale of successful grifting---CATCH ME IF YOU CAN: THE MUSICAL focuses much of its creative raison d'etre on its eye-catching razzle dazzle, and not enough on the fascinating story that's bubbling underneath. The non-Equity touring version of the short-lived 2011 four-time Tony nominated show, is now on a two-week layover at the Pantages Theatre in Los Angeles through March 24.

It used to be, in days gone by, that hit Broadway shows would be made into movies; now, it's the reverse. With a dearth of ideas for Broadway musicals, the trend lately has been to turn to the big screen and revamp a popular film for the stage, adding song and dance. Such was the case with 9 to 5 and later Legally Blonde engendering quite a bit of success. Those two had female stars at the core, so it's high time a male got some attention. Voila! Catch Me If You Can has a quirky real-life story about an anti-hero Frank Abagnale Jr. (Stephen Anthony) who in the 60s was called the Johnny Appleseed of fraud. The outstanding creative team of book writer Terrence McNally and musical wizards Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman took an old idea and created an entertainingly fresh showcase around it. The resultant Catch Me If You Can which received several Tony Award nominations in 2012 - one win for Norbert Leo Butz as Best Featured Actor playing Agent Carl Hanratty - is on tour and now playing the Pantages through March 24 with Merritt David Janes essaying Hanratty.

Based on the hit DreamWorks film and the true story that inspired it, the high-flying Broadway musical CATCH ME IF YOU CAN will play the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood for a limited 2 week engagement tonight, March 12 - 24, 2013.

As a fan of the true story and the movie, I wondered how they would tackle the complicated plot and several subplots that filled this boy's complex life

Based on the hit DreamWorks film and the true story that inspired it, the high-flying Broadway musical CATCH ME IF YOU CAN will play the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood for a limited 2 week engagement March 12 - 24, 2013.

Based on the hit DreamWorks film and the true story that inspired it, the high-flying Broadway musical CATCH ME IF YOU CAN will play the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood for a limited 2 week engagement March 12 - 24, 2013. BroadwayWorld has a first look at highlights of the touring production below.

Based on the hit DreamWorks film and the true story that inspired it, the high-flying Broadway musical CATCH ME IF YOU CAN will play the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood for a limited 2 week engagement March 12 - 24, 2013. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the touring production below.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. The next seven national tours to hit the Windy City (SEVEN!--and all before April), plus 'Fiddler On The Roof' at the Paramount, 'Barnum' at the Mercury, Ricky Ian Gordon at Northwestern and a twofer from the Mueller family!

The musicalized version of Frank Abagnale, Jr.'s jet set life, CATCH ME IF YOU CAN, flies into the Hobby Center this week. With a strong opening night crowd and performance, this toe-tapping musical is sure to put a smile on your face and make you feel great. Marc Shaiman wrote the catchy score with lyrics by Scott Whitman and Marc Shaiman. Yet, audiences may better recognize this duo as the real-life composing team behind the hit songs for the fictional musical BOMBSHELL on NBC's SMASH.

At BroadwayWorld we pride ourselves in showcasing theater content submitted by our regional contributors from all corners of the globe. Get all your theater news at a glance each Friday with 'Around BWW: Regional Highlights of the Week'!

Can you just imagine the things Frank Abagnale Jr. could do if he were an enterprising teenager in the 21st Century? The charming, conniving and cunning young man would likely rule the world.

Broadway Across America-Houston is about to fly CATCH ME IF YOU CAN, the thrilling tale of Frank Abagnale, Jr., into the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts. Merritt David Janes is starring as Carl Hanratty, the FBI agent that tirelessly pursued Frank Abagnale, Jr .He was wanted for posing as a Pan American World Airways pilot, a Georgia doctor, a Louisiana parish prosecutor, and check fraud, which was his primary crime. Merritt David Janes took time out of his busy schedule to talk to me about his career, playing Carl Hanratty, touring, and the show CATCH ME IF YOU CAN.

Voting is now underway for the San Antonio Awards and continues until December 31, 2012. Winners will be announced in early January.