Catch Me If You Can
at Aliso Niguel High School

Reviewed on May 1, 2015

Taylor Plett
SOCSA Dana Hills
Submitted for publication to Orange County Register

Aliso Niguel Cast takes talent to new heights

Commemorating the outrageous life of young criminal Frank Abagnale, Jr, Aliso Niguel delivers "Catch Me If You Can" with fervor and panache.

Performed in the classic format of a 60's television variety show, "Catch Me if You Can" tells the true tale of the deviously clever Frank Abagnale, Jr, whose genius ploys allow him to disguise himself as a doctor, lawyer and pilot – flying around the world free of charge – all before the age of 21.

As Frank, Daniel Hardwick oozes swagger and charm, his suave gesticulations and powerful tenor impressive in "Live in Living Color." Hardwick eventually deflates from an ever-smooth conman to a scared, lonely boy once the FBI catch up with him, his emotional metamorphosis showcasing Hardwick's expert acting abilities and tugging on audience heart strings.

FBI agent Carl Hanratty (Justin Benbrook) traverses from collected and mature to obsessed once he's hot on Abagnale's trail, his mind desperately searching to untangle evidence as he scours Abagnale's hotel room in "The Man Inside the Clues."

Frank Jr.'s debonair tactics are reflected in his father, Frank Sr. (Danny Cristofaro), whose complacent mindset eventually leads to the unraveling of his carefree lifestyle. Cristofaro masterfully demonstrates the hopeless slouch and husky voice of a failed father in "Little Boy Be a Man." Paula Abagnale (Camryn Graves) hides her character's haphazard past with a doe-eyed gaze and chirping French accent, flaunting her laudable dance technique in graceful leaps and turns.

Eliciting the softer side in Frank, Brenda (Kaylee Hepburn) retains a sweet breathiness in her tone, her cooing soprano showing pangs of longing as she wishes her run-away finance luck in "Fly, Fly Away."

But it's Brenda's parents, New Orleans natives Carol and Roger (Hana Veneracion and Jack Townsend, respectively), who steal the show. The pair meets bouts of appreciative laughter as Veneracion's buzzing belt and boisterous movements juxtapose her husband's robotic shuffling in "(Our) Family Tree."

Praise is also due to costume designers Mackenzie Marr and Ashton Wilson for an impressive variety and volume of time period costumes; both charismatic nurses and glamorous stewardesses are adorned in charming uniform, swaying and singing the beat of Aliso's skilled orchestra.

Aliso Niguel's masterful performance of "Catch Me If You Can" proves that, when one is young and charismatic, some clever shenanigans are all but acceptable – just fly away before you get caught.

Chase Robinson
San Juan Hills High School
Submitted for publication to Orange County Register

Aliso's ‘Catch Me If You Can' soars to success

Attention passengers, please fasten your seatbelts and prepare for a thrilling flight jam-packed with romance, deceit, and sing-alongs. Set in the groovy 1960s, "Catch Me If You Can" recounts the life and times of Frank Abagnale Jr.: a dreadful pilot, incompetent doctor, but masterful con artist.

Combining electrifying energy with vivid storytelling, Aliso Niguel High School blasts the audience to the past to exhibit the rise and fall of one of the youngest and craftiest criminals ever to swindle their way to the top.

Daniel Hardwick portrays the slimy Frank Abagnale Jr. with gusto and strength. Whether he skillfully cons his way out of a punishment or flashes his pearly white smile, Hardwick exudes charm. Likewise, he demonstrates notable character development as his boldness evolves into longing desire in "Someone Else's Skin."

Playing opposite Hardwick is Justin Benbrook as Carl Hanratty: Frank's resolute persecutor. Through fiery eyes and an unwavering stance, Benbrook engages in a cat and mouse game with Hardwick in order to put him safely behind bars. Benbrook's determination is evident in "Don't Break the Rules," as he manifests his faith in law and order.

Kaylee Hepburn showcases innocence and raw emotion as Brenda Strong. Her doe-eyed stare and tranquil demeanor blossom into subtle indignation as she laments over her love for Frank in "Fly, Fly Away."

Sauve and macho, Danny Cristofaro as Frank Abagnale Sr. demonstrates a genuine paternal bond. As he instructs Frank Jr. on the finer things in life like cash and pinstripes, he poignantly embraces his struggling son. Serving as Cristofaro's foil, Camryn Graves portrays Paula Abagnale through charisma and sensuality. During "Don't Be a Stranger," she slinks about and reminisces on love gone awry.

Hana Veneracion and Jack Townsend, as Roger and Carol Strong respectively, deliver hysterical performances. As Veneracion maintains a skillful southern dialect, Townsend delights with pomp. Similarly, the entire ensemble bubbles with vivacity during rousing numbers like "Jet Set" and "Family Tree" under lively orchestration.

Each technical element cleverly incorporates the colorful and energetic mood of the Sixties. Mackenzie Marr and Ashton Wilson's costume design embodies the era with bubblegum pinks and sky blues, while Ambra Barker's lighting scheme instills the variety show feel via psychedelic hues.

From impersonation to foxy stewardesses, Aliso Niguel High School's "Catch Me If You Can" embarks on an unforgettable trip of theatrical entertainment and merit.

Jennifer Kaplan
Tesoro High School
Submitted for publication to OC Cappies Facebook

Aliso Flies High with "Catch Me If You Can"

The devil's greatest trick may have been convincing the world he did not exist, but chameleonlike Frank Abagnale, Jr's master ruse is convincing the world he's a pilot, doctor, lawyer- anything but a scared teenage boy.

Based on a true story, Aliso Niguel's production of "Catch Me If You Can" follows Frank's criminal escapades and elusion of the FBI through his own eyes, where the world has the ostentatious panache of a 1960's variety show.

Mugging the audience with a mischievously cocked eyebrow and knowing smirk, Daniel Hardwick as Frank Abagnale, Jr. is the ultimate showman. During "Jet Set", he glides onstage, hands thrust outward with splayed fingers in visual parallel to his grasp on the world. However, reality's intrusion chips at his glossy façade, as during the opening of "Someone Else's Skin", when his parents' divorce reduces his assured stride to a slouch and listless shuffling, while his bright, confident belt shrinks to uncertain quaver, fragility jarringly juxtaposed against his usual slickness.

Justin Benbrook's distinctly furrowed brow, disapprovingly upturned lip, and gruff vocalizations as FBI detective Carl Hanratty personify the quintessential middle-aged grouch. With both hunched back and clenched fist progressively becoming more prominent in parallel to his obsessive pursuit, his ever-wearied fixation antithetically generates the exuberant "Don't Break the Rules", where he fervently flicks an accusatory finger and jazzily spins until his scrambling zig-zags and kicks become dizzily frenetic.

Kaylee Hepburn's tender vocals and reserved presence as Brenda reveal a flicker of genuineness beneath the hullabaloo. During "Seven Wonders", she shrinks into the furniture with hands cautiously clasped, a visual foil to Frank's swagger.

Storming onstage with full-throated Cajun accent, Hana Veneracion's Carol amplifies the energy. Brimming with chutzpah, she reaches over a table to adjust Frank's tie, throws her arms up enthusiastically, and grabs husband Roger (Jack Townsend) to twirl while bursting into husky, soulful vocals during "(Our) Family Tree".

Resplendent with winged eyeliner and flirtatious swingin' sixties updos, Melanie Miller's make-up design accentuates the show's extravagance. Brenda's comparatively conservative 1950's-style curls and rosy cheeks reflect her role as the show's wholesome heart, while Frank, Sr.'s transformation from slick-haired gent to tousled man with a shadow of daubed-on stubble befits his moral descent.

Embedded within glittering vocals, lavish costumes, flamboyant performances, and glitzy razzmatazz lies Aliso's message that accepting reality is the most difficult act of all.