BWW Reviews: CATCH ME IF YOU CAN Touches Down in SA

Fresh from its Broadway run, CATCH ME IF YOU CAN opened in San Antonio at the Majestic Theatre Tuesday night.  You may well have seen a movie by the same name (starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hanks).  Indeed, this musical tells the same tale of young Frank Abagnale, Jr.'s counterfeit scams of epic proportions.  Most famously, Abagnale posed as a pilot (well, co-pilot) for PanAm Airlines, flying thousands of miles and visiting hundreds of cities - without paying a dime.  And yes, it really did happen.

I write this article coincidentally at an altitude of 27,000 feet from the seat of a Boeing 737.  Air travel today is not nearly as glamorous as it was in the 1960's, but as I look out the window and see nothing but blue sky, clouds, and the patchwork ground of America, it's easy to see how anyone can get swept away by the ability to go anywhere, anytime.  Abagnale's desire to always be looking for something new for himself - the result of a family upheaval at the tender age of sixteen - is the driving force behind his creative and highly illegal endeavors.  Hot checks, fake pilot, fake doctor (yikes!), and a real lawyer (he passed the Louisiana bar exam!) are just the highlights of Abagnale's adventures. 

This musical, based on very true events, holds true to the era of the 60s.  In fact, it's portrayed as Abagnale's very own television special - in COLOR!  Despite being creative in concept and fairly well-executed stylistically, the show did have room for improvement, both musically and vocally.  That fact detracted little from the enjoyability factor, however, and the musical made for a fun evening - one that made me wonder if it could really be just that easy to do what he did.  Maybe not in these modern times...but I almost want to try.  Almost.

Starring Stephen Anthony as the criminal that was impossible to hate, Frank Abagnale, Jr. and Merritt David Janes as FBI Agent Carl Hanratty, who pursued Abagnale for years, CATCH ME IF YOU CAN is a cute little show that's worth a viewing.  It plays at the Majestic Theatre through October 28.  For more information, visit CatchMeOnTour.com and purchase tickets via Ticketmaster.