Review: CATCH ME IF YOU CAN at Aurora Fox

Catch Me If You Can The Musical, currently playing at the Aurora Fox Arts Center, has the perfect mix of an exciting score and stellar design team with a cast sparkling with talent.

Based on the 2002 movie of the same name (which was based on the autobiography of Frank Abagnale Jr.), Catch Me If You Can The Musical premiered on Broadway in 2011. This production is both directed and choreographed by Denver favorite Piper Lindsay Arpan.

In the musical, it starts with Frank Jr. about to be arrested...but first he decides to tell his story through song and dance instead a la T.V. show, complete with winks at the crowd. It's got the jazzy flair of something you might've caught on a tiny T.V. half a century ago seated between your parents.

Tim Howard leads the company with a vibrant portrayal of the spirited young con artist Frank. He's got the vocal chops to breeze through the high parts, but it's his charm that pulls you in. Beside him, Keegan Flaugh's Hanratty is an ace. He brings out the detective's gusto for his job and pulls you over to his side. Between the two, it's an enjoyable struggle choosing teams.

Andy Sievers is the handsome crooner Frank Sr. and Heather Lacy gives Frank's mother a natural French flair. Lindsay Fuller as Frank's love interest Brenda has the perfect amount of innocent charisma with vocals that sell it. Michael O'Shea and Sharon Kay White are adorable as Brenda's parents.

Easily one of the best parts of the show is the female ensemble. They're exactly what you'd expect from a show narrated by a teenage boy. Their sex appeal is straight off the Vegas strip and they work Arpan's choreo down to every curve. They gave the show its edge and I was obsessed with everything they did.

Even if you feel like you've seen this story before, the show brings it to you with a fresh zest of vintage appeal. Seth Alison's lighting design is bright and colorful, the set by Brandon Case is smart and sleek and Nikki Harrison's costumes are spectacular.

Personally, I prefer how the movie captures this tale, but the musical has an effervescence that gives some excitement to the familiarity of it. Catch it if you can.

Catch Me If You Can The Musical plays the Aurora Fox Arts Center through May 15. Tickets start at $28 are available at AuroraFox.org or by calling (303)739-1970.

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