Broadway Buzz: Catch Me If You Can

Tony® Award nominee #3 is not only a familiar title, but based on a true story.

Catch Me If You Can is based on the incredible true story of Frank William Abagnale, Jr. and his life as a con artist. He starts by forging checks and then smooth talks his way into posing as a pilot, doctor and lawyer all before he turns 21. FBI Agent Carl Hanratty is close on his trail, but who knows what will happen if the two come face to face. Frank, Jr. makes living the high life sound easy, but I wouldn’t want him defending my court case!

The story has been captured by a book, a hit DreamWorks film, and a now Broadway show. It premiered at Seattle’s 5th Avenue Theater in 2009, and opened on Broadway this April. There were only a few short weeks for the Tony voters to catch the show, but it seems they caught something they liked! The show is nominated for four Tony Awards, including Norbert Leo Butz’s nomination for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical for his role as Carl Hanratty.

Starring opposite of Norbert Leo Butz is up and coming Aaron Tveit, playing the tricky Frank William Abagnale, Jr. He made his Broadway debut in 2006 as Link Larkin inHairspray and also has starred on Broadway in Next to Normal and Wicked. Now he’s “Live in Living Color,” dancing, singing and conning his way across the stage.

A select few can say their life is documented by a book, movie and musical. Catch Me If You Can has been an exciting development for the actual Frank William Abagnale, Jr., and the show’s Press Rehearsal gave him the opportunity to say how excited he is that his true story has reached the Broadway stage.