‘Catch Me If You Can’ delivers music, laughs to audiences

This year, Monroe High School’s fall musical takes its story to new heights–the sky. Directed by Alison Drougel and assistant directed by Carol Sliwka and Linda Chmiel, “Catch Me If You Can” follows the story of Frank Abagnale Jr. (junior Tristan Daniels).

Frank Jr. is a 16-year-old boy who runs away from home after his parents, Frank Abagnale Sr. (senior Austin Bray) and Paula Abagnale (junior Jordan Jewell) get divorced. Frank Jr. leaves with only $2 and his wit and fakes his way into becoming a pilot and a doctor, while traveling all around the world. Along the way, Frank Jr encounters many lovely ladies and even falls in love with one, Brenda Strong (junior Joee Nicols). However, Frank Jr. has to consistently stay on the run from FBI Agent Carl Hanratty (senior Zach Everly) and his boys, Agent Cod (junior Jarrod Kimble), Agent Branton (junior Will Clark), and newbie Agent Dollar (junior Trey Eberline).

Throughout the course of the show, the audience is taken from laughs to shock to tears and back again.

One of the more unforgettable aspects of the show was the vibrant musical numbers. The choreography this year was done by MCCC’s Kellie Lajiness. Lajiness brought new moves to the table that, paired with the exciting music the show had to offer, made for spectacular scenes.

The musical numbers would be nothing without the talented stewardesses and nurses that made for comical and somewhat provocative parts (freshman Daija Pendleton; sophomores Paige Hardy and Peyton Moran; and juniors Kailee Gillean, Rosemary Guzman, Hannah Luna.)

“Family Tree” especially was a memorable number. Nearly the entire cast was involved, and the audience got to meet Brenda’s parents, Carol Strong (senior Haley Langmeyer) and Roger Strong (sophomore Jacob Foulkrod), all in the midst of a thrilling dance.

Another aspect of the show that contributed to its success was its talent. For junior Trey Eberline, this was his first show. Eberline was cast in eight different roles, his favorite being Agent Dollar, the “trigger-happy idiot.” He said he enjoyed his first role immensely and will continue on with drama club.

“As cliche as it sounds, just spending it with people that actually genuinely care (was my favorite of the musical),” Eberline said.

Junior Jordan Jewell shared similar feelings. “Catch Me If You Can” was her eighth performance, and she is drama club vice president.

“I think that we did a really great job pulling off the complicated music and dances. Plus, we had the most amazing crew I have ever worked with on any show. They made sure we had everything we needed, and they made the show run so smoothly. The show wouldn’t have been nearly as successful without them,” Jewell said.

Led by senior Kate Tayler and sophomore Adria Bell, the crew was composed of nine dedicated team members who all worked to make the show go on.

The show was an overall success, felt by most cast and crew.

“I really just feel like the success came from the chemistry that we had,” said junior Will Clark.