Review: Eagle Theater's CATCH ME IF YOU CAN

Steven Spielberg's 2002 true life story movie about Frank Abagnale played by the very young and 'sexy' Leonardo DiCaprio Jr. is an adventurous journey of thievery, deception and deceit. Tom Hanks was the work- obsessed, lonely F.B.I. agent Carl Hanratty, with a Javert-like pursuit to catch a thief and right a wrong. It is about scamming and developing songs that forward each scene, much like its successful Broadway musical predecessors "The Producers", "Chicago" and "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels". The central theme is the relationship between the cat (Hanratty) and mouse (Abagnale) and the mad chase.

Eagle's Artistic Directors Ed Corsi & Ted Wioncek III, bring this well constructed blueprint to life with such creativity that both entertains and amuses the audience. Their use of multimedia to enhance the live stage performances, such as prerecorded video and still photographic projections are not new to the Eagle, however, the use of a two camera shoot of the live stage action adds an element of fun to an already 'quirky" piece.

A lively opening scene (which is really the ending scene) in which Frank Abagnale Jr. (Adam Hoyak) is finally arrested at a Miami airport brings us to present, in a musical flashback of his story told in a multi media, variety show version of his life. Add some sultry-colored lighting, a checker-board backdrop, a LOT of leggy chorus girls (and a few guys). The song-and -dance presentation introduces us to all the characters. Confused yet? Well, don't be. This is an "in- your- face" cue the APPLAUSE screen kind of night. The flashy musical numbers definitely emerge well from the plot, just as they are supposed to and make for an entertaining evening of corkscrew twists. Both Frank and Carl are given soul revealing songs to explain why they are who they are in a sometimes serious/ sometimes comical revelation.

The energy of the movement of the Singers/Dancers is unending and choreographed by the award winning Dann Dunn and reminiscent of Dean Martin's Gold Diggers of dance in shows like "Hullabaloo."

The principle cast is thoroughly entertaining. The much anticipated Barrymore Winner and Philly favorite Jeff Coon (Carl Hanratty) is no dull Joe Friday with his character. He delivers the goods in surprisingly well fitting songs "Don't Break the Rules", "The Man Inside the Clues" and "Little Boy Be a Man". Young Adam Hoyak is as clever as he is talented in taking on the roles of a faux pilot, a doctor/lawyer etc.etc. The back story of young Frank Jr. is less than glamorous and beautifully played by his 'once- upon- a- time' parents Paula (Marianne Green) and Frank Sr. ( Bob Kelly). Kelly's down-on-his luck/never say broke character brings a depth of reality to this effervescent plot and his experience as an actor is sobering and enjoyable. The duet "Butter Outta Cream" sung by Frank Jr. & Sr. brings a touch of Vaudevillian wisdom to the piece.

The supporting principle cast is equally well suited in their roles. I especially enjoyed the very talented Jenna Pastuszek who plays Brenda Strong, Frank's fiancée who stuns the crowd with a heartfelt "Fly, Fly, Fly Away", as well as her "N'Orleans/Luthern" parents Roger and Carol Strong. (David Wills and Lindsey Mauck). Mauck brings a Southern Carol Burnett-style portrayal that has the audience laughing out loud. FBI Agents Bill Cod/Jack Burns (Tim Rinehart), Johnny Dollar (Mike Dorsey) and Todd Branton (Tom Craig) add to the good intentioned Alas! minuet too late crew of government at its "almost best"...after all they did catch him!

One can only imagine what this story-line looked like to the original Broadway creators who took a chance with this (Harrison Ford) "The Fugitive" style plot and turning this into a Broadway Musical as only the team of Shaiman & Whitman (HAIRSPRAY) could do. But Catch Me If You Can indeed does FLY, FLY, And FLIES fairly well.

CATCH ME IF YOU CAN plays at the Eagle Theater, Hammonton, NJ, Thursdays through Sundays until February 21st. For tickets and more information: www.Theeagletheatre.com or call 609.704.5012

Photos: Icon photo: Adam Hoyak (Frank Abagnale, Jr. & singers/dancers)

Photo # 1 Adam Hoyak, Bob Kelly and Marianne Green (Frank Jr. Frank Sr. & Paula Abagnale)

Photo # 3 Jeff Coon (Carl Hanratty)

Photo # 4 Jeff Coon & Adam Hoyak (Frank & Carl)

Photo Credits: Chris Miller

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