The Pennington Players are incredibly excited to announce auditions for our Fall 2019 production of Catch Me If You Can - The Musical. The musical will make its Kelsey Theatre debut October 24 - November 3, 2019. Auditions begin this June. Here are all the details!
AUDITION SIGN-UP
Appointments are strongly recommended. Walk-ins will be accommodated as time allows.
Questions? E-mail us at PenningtonCMIYC@gmail.com and we'll get right back to you!
PRODUCTION TEAM
PRODUCER: Sally Sohor
DIRECTOR: Laurie Gougher
MUSICAL DIRECTOR: Francois Suhr
CHOREOGRAPHER: Trina Shumsonk
STAGE MANAGER: Beverly Kuo-Hamilton
ABOUT THE SHOW
Based on the unbelievable true story of one of the most famous con artists in history, Frank Abagnale Jr., “Catch Me If You Can” is a rousing musical set in the 1960’s. Nominated for four Tony awards, including Best Musical, this delightfully entertaining show was created by a Tony Award-winning "dream team," with a book by Terrence McNally (The Full Monty, Ragtime) and a swinging score by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman (Hairspray).
We begin as Frank is captured by Agent Carl Hanratty, after years of pursuit. Frank, however, thinks the audience deserves to hear his version of the truth, and narrates his life as a hip, dance-heavy variety television show. We see Frank, as a teenager, run away from his unhappy home to live a life of great adventure. Along the way, he falls deeper and deeper into an elaborate con by assuming a multitude of identities: airplane pilot, doctor, and lawyer, to name a few. “Catch Me If You Can” tells the tale of an ingenious, yet lonely, boy looking for his place in the world.
PERFORMANCE DATES
Fridays, October 24 & November 1, 2019 at 8pm
Saturdays, October 26 & November 2, 2019 at 8pm
Sundays, October 27 & November 3 at 2pm
AUDITION DATES & TIMES
Monday, June 24, 2019 (Leads+) from 7pm-10pm
Saturday, June 29, 2019 (Leads+) from 10am-5pm
Sunday, June 30, 2019 (Featured Dancers) from 10am-3pm
INVITED DANCE CALLBACKS: Sunday, June 30, 2019 from 3pm-5pm
INVITED CALLBACKS: Monday, July 1, 2019 from 7pm-10pm
Auditions will be held on the West Windsor Campus of Mercer County Community College, located at 1200 Old Trenton Road, West Windsor, New Jersey 08550. Check the Kelsey Theatre sign board for a room location on the day of the auditions.
AUDITION SIGN-UP
Appointments are strongly recommended. Walk-ins will be accommodated as time allows.
Questions? E-mail us at PenningtonCMIYC@gmail.com and we'll get right back to you!
WHAT TO PREPARE
Please prepare 32 bars of a song in the "jazz" style of the show.
No a-capella auditions will be allowed. An accompanist will be provided.
Please bring sheet music in a binder with your cut clearly marked.
This is VERY dance-heavy show. Lead and featured performers must be proficient musical theatre dancers. The small core of featured dancers (male and female) must be jazz dancers with strong technique. Partnering skills are a plus. Come prepared to dance with form fitting attire. Ladies, please wear heels.
Please bring a recent headshot and resume.
REHEARSAL DETAILS
Auditions are being held early to accommodate summer conflicts. We will not begin rehearsing in earnest until August. Leads may do some table work in July and we will work around individual schedules.
Rehearsals will be held approximately 2 weeknights and one weekend day per week. Not every performer will be expected to attend every rehearsal. The rehearsal schedule will be created based upon cast conflicts.
WHAT WE'RE CASTING
ALL ROLES ARE OPEN.
We are seeking a high-energy, diverse cast to bring these unique, complicated characters to life. All roles are Non-Equity, unpaid.
CHARACTER INFORMATION
NOTE: All listed ages are stage ages.
Frank Abagnale, Jr. (M)
Our story's conniving protagonist, he is a handsome and youthful con artist. Grew up learning to disappear into another skin to avoid his problems. He eventually falls in love with Brenda and desperately tries to change his ways. Seeking an extremely charismatic actor with strong vocals.
Age: 18-25
Vocal Range: G2-C5
Carl Hanratty (M)
An FBI agent leading the investigation and search for Frank Jr. A knowledgeable and habitual workaholic who lives to catches his perp. Lives a private life of loneliness and depression. Seeking a mature performer who can convey the nuance of a man that develops a paternal bond with his target over the course of the show. Must be a very strong singer.
Age: 35 to 50
Vocal Range: G2-G4
Frank Abagnale, Sr. (M)
Frank Jr.'s father. He is an inspiration when it comes to swindling. Upbeat and fast-talking, he undergoes a series of progressive failures that leaves him a miserable drunk.
Age: 45 to 65
Vocal Range: F2-G#4
Paula Abagnale (F)
Frank Jr.'s gorgeous mother. She met Frank Sr. in France, during the war, but has fallen out of love. Caring and loving, with an underlying resentment toward her husband and son. Must be a strong dancer.
Age: 40 to 60
Vocal Range: A3-C5
Brenda Strong (F)
A young nurse and Frank Jr.'s eventual love interest. Hard-working and initially insecure, she meets Frank Jr. after running away from a wedding. Comes to trust him but his true identity clouds her feelings.
Age: 18-25
Vocal Range: G3-A5
Carol Strong (F)
Brenda's traditional mother. She is talkative and boisterous. This is a great comedic role for a woman with a large personality.
Age: 45 to 60
Vocal Range: Bb3-A5
Roger Strong (M)
Brenda's conservative father. He is stern and interrogatory, but reveals himself to be deeply romantic.
Age: 50 to 60
Vocal Range: A2-A4
Agent Branton, Agent Cod & Agent Dollar (M)
Three FBI Agents in the Bank Fraud and Forgery Division. Branton & Cod are veteran agents who enjoy mocking Hanratty’s obsessive work ethic, while Dollar is a trigger-happy rookie.
Cheryl Ann
A former model turned prostitute who learns not to accept checks for services rendered
Featured Dancers (Female)
These core ensemble members will play Stewardesses, Nurses, TV Dancers and a variety of cameos throughout the show. Strong jazz dance skills are necessary and partnering is a plus. All dancers must also sing. There are several extensive vocal solos which may be sung by one or more of the Featured Dancers if possible. NOTE: All female ensemble roles are based upon an 18 year old boy’s perceptions about women in the 1960’s, largely developed through Playboy and comic books. We are looking for strong, confident women with a sense of humor.
Featured Dancers (Male)
These core ensemble members will serve as Pilots, FBI Agents, Doctors, TV Dancers and may also be cast in featured speaking roles as appropriate. Strong jazz dance skills are necessary and partnering is a plus. All dancers must also sing.
Ensemble: (M/F)
A small group of strong singers and comic actors who will play the roles of Frank’s various cons.
AUDITION SIGN-UP
Appointments are strongly recommended. Walk-ins will be accommodated as time allows.
Questions? E-mail us at PenningtonCMIYC@gmail.com and we'll get right back to you!