South Florida Local News
Catch me if you can the musical brings high energy Broadway performance to the Broward Center for the Performing Arts this October
Fort Lauderdale, Florida – A story of deception, charm, and high-stakes adventure takes center stage this month at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts as “Catch Me If You Can: The Musical” kicks off the MD Now® Urgent Care Slow Burn Theatre Company 2025/2026 season. Running October 11 through 26 in the Amaturo Theater, the production promises a thrilling blend of heart, humor, and jazz-infused Broadway flair. An open-captioned performance will be offered on Sunday, October 19, at 2 p.m., ensuring the experience is accessible to all audiences.
Based on the popular DreamWorks motion picture, “Catch Me If You Can: The Musical” follows the true story of Frank Abagnale Jr., a teenage con artist who famously posed as a pilot, doctor, and lawyer while skillfully evading the FBI. The musical’s narrative tracks his audacious escapades as he seeks fame, fortune, and freedom, with FBI agent Carl Hanratty hot on his trail. Nominated for four Tony Awards, including Best Musical, the show dazzles audiences with high-energy numbers, intricate choreography, and a swinging score crafted by Tony-winning duo Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman, known for their work on “Hairspray.”
“This is a dazzling cat-and-mouse chase told with heart and humor in the style of ‘Ocean’s Eleven’ meets ‘Chicago,’” said the production’s promotional materials, highlighting the unique blend of Broadway showmanship and cinematic storytelling. With a book by acclaimed playwright Terrence McNally, the musical layers humor and suspense to bring Abagnale’s larger-than-life story to vivid life on stage.
Leading the cast is Jarod Bakum* as Frank Abagnale Jr., capturing the charm and cunning of a young man who constantly reinvents himself. Opposite him, Ben Sandomir* portrays Carl Hanratty, the persistent FBI agent determined to bring Abagnale to justice. The principal cast is rounded out by Matthew Korinko* as Frank Abagnale Sr., Jeanine Levy* as Paula Abagnale, and Lauren Barkman as Brenda Strong, alongside Michael Cartwright, Britte Steele, and Tanner Fults in supporting roles.
The ensemble, composed of more than a dozen talented performers, brings additional depth and energy to the production. Aaron Atkinson, Alexander Blanco, Kalista Curbelo, Madeline Dunn, Steven Ross Dybash, Eli Flynn, Amanda Lopez, Michael Materdomini, Kristi Rose Mills, Taylor Hilt Mitchell*, Cat Pagano*, Cameron Scott, Mikayla Queeley, Allyson Rosenblum, Izaiah Scott, Kimberly Sessions, Ashley Valent, and Alexandra Van Hasselt contribute to the show’s lively musical numbers and dynamic stage presence, helping transport audiences into the whirlwind life of Frank Abagnale Jr.
Director Patrick Fitzwater, a veteran of musical theater, leads a creative team that includes Paul Tine as music director, Cat Pagano on choreography, Nikolas Serrano handling scenic design, Eric Norbury overseeing lighting, Rick Peña in charge of costumes, and Timothy Dickey as technical director. Production stage management is handled by Amy Rauchwerger*, with assistant stage manager Jolie Rubinchik* supporting operations. Their combined expertise ensures that each performance delivers professional-level Broadway magic in the heart of Fort Lauderdale.
The Slow Burn Theatre Company’s 2025/2026 season continues with a series of highly anticipated productions. Following “Catch Me If You Can” are “Disney’s Frozen” (December 13 – January 4), “Beautiful, The Carole King Musical” (February 14 – March 1), “Hairspray” (April 11 – 26), and “Alanis Morissette’s Jagged Little Pill: The Musical” (June 13 – 28). Subscriptions to the full five-show season and tickets to individual performances are now available, offering theatergoers the chance to experience a full year of top-tier musical theater.
The MD Now® Slow Burn Theatre Co. season is presented by United Community Bank, with major support provided by the Broward County Cultural Division, the Cultural Council, and the Broward County Board of County Commissioners. Tickets can be purchased online at BrowardCenter.org or Ticketmaster.com, by phone at 954.462.0222, or in person at the Broward Center’s AutoNation Box Office.
With its combination of fast-paced storytelling, memorable musical numbers, and an accomplished cast and creative team, “Catch Me If You Can: The Musical” promises to deliver an unforgettable theatrical experience. From the suspenseful chases to the humorous escapades, audiences are in for a high-flying, Broadway-style spectacle that captures the spirit of one of the most audacious con artists in American history.
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