Xaverian to put on a production of “Catch Me if You Can”

March 19, 2015 Jaime DeJesus
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The popular novel, film and musical, “Catch Me if You Can,” a show based on the true story of Frank Abagnale Jr., who conned millions of dollars’ worth of checks as a pilot, doctor and profession when he was just 18 years old, is coming to a local stage, thanks to Xaverian High School Dramatics.

Director and English teacher at Xaverian, Stephanie Lorenzo, who has been involved with the school dramatics for 10 years and has directed 15 shows, is excited for the production.

“I always ask the kids if they have any opinion on the matter,” she said. “I like getting them involved in all aspects of the production. So when they came to me with the suggestion, I saw it as a good and fun fit.”

During the rehearsal.
During the rehearsal.

This show also promises to be one of the school’s largest productions. “For this show, we have over 50 kids in the cast. It’s the biggest number in terms of how many kids we’ve worked with,” she said. “I thought the size was going to be difficult, but it turned out to be great. All these kids band together and work towards a common goal.”

Lorenzo wanted to challenge the talent outside of acting. “The cast has done a really great job. A lot of the kids are involved in multiple aspects of show. A girl in her senior year at Fort Hamilton High School is doing choreography. Most kids have had a hand in everything,” she said. “The lead actors are also doing light design for the show. It’s all hands on deck which I feel is better for them because they feel more ownership in what they’re doing.”

Rehearsals for the show started around the third week of January, with actors and crew practicing from 3:30-6:30 p.m. “As we get closer to the opening night, we’ve been practically living in the auditorium,” she said.

Lorenzo doesn’t mind the long hours and stressful deadlines because of what theater has taught her students. “I like the idea of giving these kids a place to go where they can feel really involved and that what they do matters,” she said. “I think that it gives them sense of responsibly later on in their lives even if they don’t continue in theater.”

The show will consist of Xaverian students ranging from freshman to seniors as well as female talent from neighboring schools.

The two leads, Michael Sally and Daniel Patrick, both seniors, are expected to be the show’s standouts. “Michael and Daniel have been great,” said Lorenzo. “They serve as role models to the younger students in how they should behave in a team setting, how to be reliable and responsible. I’m certainly going to miss them.”

One of the standout scenes for Lorenzo involves the two seniors. “My favorite song is the last one, ‘Stuck Together.’ It’s a nice ending to their tenure at Xaverian and a nice way to end the show,” she said.

Costumes and music are also expected to add to the show. “This is our biggest show in terms of costume design in a while with doctors, nurses, flight attendants,” Lorenzo explained. “The music is mostly pop up-tempo, very modern contemporary music.”

The first batch of performances will take place at Xaverian High school on Friday, March 20 and Saturday, March 21 at 8 p.m., as well as Sunday, March 22 at 4 p.m. Three additional shows will take place on Friday, March 27 and Saturday, March 28 at 8 p.m., and on Sunday, March 29 at 3 p.m. Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door and can be purchased at www.xaverian.org/dramatics.

“I hope they enjoy it,” Lorenzo concluded. “It’s truly entertaining. I really like the story. I believe that it is really entertaining, upbeat and fun.”

 

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