CHS presents a mile-high musical in ‘Catch Me If You Can’

A chase through song and dance across the U.S. of the ‘60s in all of its sleaze and spirit, Creston High School will present their fall production “Catch Me If You Can The Musical” this weekend. Performances will take place at 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 15, and Saturday, Nov. 16, and at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 17.

With roles both on- and off-stage, 63 students have a part in this season’s show. The production is one of the largest in scale for Creston, with multiple racks of about 200 colorful costumes for those in the ensemble. Director Jennifer Gaesser described the two-and-a-half-hour show as “always moving.”

“This is a very choreography-heavy show,” she said. “It’s a non-stop show, there are some times when the pit never stops playing, that made it very unique. Sometimes, the actors are still talking while the pit is still playing. Timing all of that has been tricky, but we like the challenge.”

With the massive cast and multiple musical numbers, the ensemble had to be split into groups, which allowed for more focused attention from students on their roles during their scenes.

The show follows the absurd (and maybe too far-fetched) real-life tale of Frank Abagnale Jr., recounting the time he conned his way across the country, cashing $2.5 million while impersonating a pilot, a doctor, a teacher and more, all while he was still a teenager. He’s followed by Carl Hanratty, who develops respect for the crazy talent of one teenager hopping across the country.

Abagnale Jr. is played by junior Carson Beer, who describes his own character as a “con boy” and a “wunderchild.”

“He’s a 16-year-old in the beginning, figuring out this life of crime, while also being a 16-year old boy,” he said.

The musical, originally based on Steven Spielberg’s 2002 film, which, in-turn, was based on Frank Abagnale Jr.’s semi-autobiographical book of the same name. The show had a brief stint on Broadway where it would be nominated for four Tonys, including Best Musical.

Michael Peters will assist with pit orchestration. All nine musicians in the pit will be Creston volunteers. Music in the show brings a jazzier edge, embracing the tone of the ‘60s while still embracing the show biz energy of dance choreography, done by Leslie Tyler.

The increased scale of the show was an attempt by Gaesser to “challenge” students after being impressed with the work they had done with last year’s production of “Anything Goes.”

“Doing something easy would not have helped them grow as musicians and actors,” Gaesser said. “We picked a show that’s going to push them a little bit.”

Gaesser said most of the cast has been motivated by the challenge, even saying how some students have told her “next year, we can’t go any easier.”

Mercedez Quinn, who plays a smaller role as a tailor and performing in the show’s cast ensemble, said she’s “always on the move” in a very “dance-heavy show.”

“A musical, I’ve never done before,” she said. “It’s definitely better, there’s never an opportunity for resting.”

Beer shared the sentiment. “When the lights go up in the first scene, to the very last number, it’s firing at all angles,” he said. “There’s never a chance for the audience to breathe, in a good way.”

The two leads, Beer as Abagnale Jr. and Drake Wilson as Hanratty, were praised by Gaesser, owing to the dynamic the two friends share off-stage which helps enhace their performances. Gaesser also gave praise to the rest of the leads, including the dynamic Wyatt Hitz brings for his work as Frank Abagnale Sr., Janea Green as “a woman of elegance” through the role of Paula and Rhianna Weems’ performances during musical numbers as Brenda Strong.

When designing the set, Gaesser worked to keep the stage managable in a sometimes chaotic show. To achieve a sense where the stage could represent as many locations as possible, gray and white colors were used. The simple backgrounds allows for the colorful costumes to catch more of the audience’s attention.

Behind a center wall on stage is a rotating “pushout” which gives more precise details, including for Abagnale Hall or the FBI Office. Coordination to change sets quickly was a part of the choreography work needed to run the show smoothly.

“We had to have a pretty abstract set, but enough to where we designed it, the people knew where we were,” she said.

Rehearsals can sometimes be as chaotic as the actual show, with Gaesser working with her team of other instructors and accompanists to create a “three-ring circus” rehearsal process, splitting groups into different scenes to work on. The streamlined process helps keep rehearsals moving while working on an assortment of duties.

After 12 weeks of practice, the show will be ready for performances this weekend. Gaesser expects the show to make audiences smile and laugh.

“It’s been a work-in-progress for three months, so it’s always fun to see it all come together,” she said.

Beer also gave praise to his fellow cast members and crew in their work for the show.

“That’s the beauty with this show and this cast we have,” he said. “We have tons of people hyping us up.”

Creston High School’s production of “Catch Me If You Can The Musical” is directed by Jennifer Gaesser. Other members of the crew include Choreographer Leslie Tyler and Musical Pit Director Michael Peters. Students as a part of the backstage crew include Malachi Webber, Karlee Capson, Jameson Hanson, Lehdyen Dresback and Sarahi Meza-Robles.

Main cast includes: Carson Beer (Frank Jr.); Wyatt Hitz (Frank Sr.); Drake Wilson (Carl Hanratty); Janea Green-Ngang (Paula); Rhianna Weems (Brenda Strong); Kylor Budrow (Agent Cod); Christian White (Agent Dollar); Ky Hanson (Agent Branton); Kiya Capson (Carol Strong); Khai Nguyen (Roger Strong).

Members of the ensemble and other roles include: Callista Adams, Jeremiah Arvizu, Caitlin Austin, Rosalie Uastin, Jazmeania Belew, Caydance Best, Shyannah Bochniak, Emma Bolton, Josh Bunz, Addison Brumfield, Chelsey Brumfield, Adella Carter, Grace Cheers, Shaylee Coen, Justice Cross, Makenna Dresback, Evelyn Evans, Addison Fannon, Olivia Fox, Beth Gee, Wyatt Goodenberger, Zaina Harvey, Olivia Hulbert-Harris, Lilly James, Savannah Jaques, Hayden Jones, Emma Lange-Money, Tierany Lee, Saniyah Lott, Haileigh Lundy, Chaylee Needham, Janessa Pokorny, Lydia Preston, Mercedez Quinn, Claire Ralston, Noah Richardson, Luetta Seaton, Lexi Slick, Novaleah Smith, Trinitie Smith, Lizzy Sprague, Christina Strand, Sophia Swanson, Bella Symonds, Tyler Werner, Kailyn White, Anthony Wilkinson, Caytlyn Wipperman.