Show: CATCH ME IF YOU CAN
Theater: PCS Theater (Players Club of Swarthmore)
Theater Website: https://pcstheater.org/get-involved/
Theater Phone: (610) 328-4271
Start date of auditions: 09/01/2026
CATCH ME IF YOU CAN
Book by Terrence McNally
Music by Marc Shaiman
Lyrics by Marc Shaiman & Scott Wittman
Produced by: Theodora K. Psitos
Directed by: Anthony SanFilippo
Associate Director: Angie Scholl
Assistant Director: Jeffrey Rega
Music Director: Valentina Raffaelli
Choreographer: Lauren Kerstetter
Stage Manager: Liz Corcoran
Audition Dates: Tuesday, September 1 and Tuesday, September 8 beginning at 7PM
Callbacks by invitation only: Saturday, September 12 beginning at 1PM
Preparation: Please prepare 32 bars (about 1 min 30 seconds) of a song from your musical theatre repertoire or pop/jazz repertoire that aligns with the style of the show and suits your vocal type. Songs from the show are acceptable, but know that you will be asked to sing songs from the show if you are called back, and variety is a good thing.
An accompanist will be provided, please bring clearly marked sheet music or a lead sheet. If using your own track, please make sure it is cut to the right starting point. You may bring your own bluetooth speaker or one can be provided for you.
In addition, there will be a dance call for all who audition. A video link with the audition combination will be emailed to you approximately one week prior to your audition date once you are registered (Or promptly if you register in the final week before the audition).
Please bring comfortable clothing to move in for the dance call. You will be afforded an opportunity to change clothing from your vocal audition to your dance audition (or vice versa), if needed. Also, please bring tap shoes if you have them.
Video auditions will be accepted if you cannot attend either audition date, but it is preferred to see you in person, so please only use a video audition as an absolute last resort if you cannot attend either audition date.
Performance Dates:
(All Shows 7:30PM curtain unless otherwise noted)
Friday, December 18
Saturday, December 19
Sunday, December 20 (2PM)
Wednesday, December 23
Saturday, December 26
Sunday, December 27 (2PM)
Monday, December 28 (2PM)
Tuesday, December 29 (2PM)
Wednesday, December 30
Thursday, December 31 (6PM) – with a post show New Year’s celebration and entertainment
Saturday, January 2 (2PM)
Rehearsal Dates
Please note, we may ask you to stop by to pick up a script and do costume measurements on a date prior to the first rehearsal.
First rehearsal will be Wednesday, September 23 at 7PM
The rest of the tentative rehearsal schedule is as follows (all rehearsals are in the evening unless otherwise noted):
Sundays: 10/4, 10/18, 10/25. 11/1, 11/8 (Load-in, so both day and night with dinner break), 11/15 (afternoon), 11/22, 11/29, 12/6
Mondays: 9/28, 10/5, 10/12, 10/26, 11/16, 11/23. 11/30, 12/7
Tuesdays: 11/10, 11/24, 12/8
Wednesdays: 9/30, 10/7, 10/14, 10/21, 10/28, 11/11, 11/18, 12/2, 12/9
Thursdays: 11/12
Saturdays: 9/26 (afternoon), 10/10 (afternoon), 10/17 (morning/afternoon), 10/31 (morning/afternoon), 11/7 (afternoon)
NOTE: All rehearsals listed above are subject to change based on the availability of the cast and creatives.
Tech Rehearsals: Please refrain from auditioning if you can’t make tech week or any of the performances.
Tech SATURDAY 12/12
Dress Rehearsals Sunday 12/13 (afternoon and evening with a dinner break), Tuesday 12/15, Wednesday 12/16, Thursday 12/17 (This is a different tech week schedule than most shows at PCS Theater).
Additional expectations:
All cast members are expected to take part in at least two set build Saturdays to assist the set team with set construction and painting. The build schedule will be provided to you once you are cast.
All cast members are also expected to attend Strike Sunday on January 3 beginning at 10am.
Summary of Show:
Based on the somewhat true story (it’s more fantastical than true, but who’s counting?) and the hit film, Catch Me If You Can is a high-flying musical comedy set in the 1960s.The story follows Frank Abagnale Jr., a brilliant young con artist who successfully poses as a pilot, doctor, and lawyer while being pursued by dogged FBI agent Carl Hanratty. This musical spectacle features a swinging, Tony-nominated score and high-energy production numbers, but has a truly heartfelt story of family, identity and loss, which will be explored deeply and highlighted through the show’s book.
Cast Breakdown/Requirements:
PCS Theater is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We encourage performers of all races, ethnicities, gender identities and expressions, sexual orientations, ages (where appropriate), and abilities to audition. Unless otherwise specified by the script or licensing requirements, all roles are open to performers of all gender identities.
Due to the mature content of this show, auditions are open to ages 18+.
Finally, ages listed next to the character are their age in the show. If you can play it, you can be cast in it, even if your real age is outside the range listed.
Frank Abagnale, Jr. (Male Presenting, 18-27, Tenor G2-C5) – Our story’s charming and conniving protagonist. He is a handsome and youthful con artist. But what drives Frank is not the thrill of the chase, but the desire to reunite his broken family and feel the love he had as a child again. He eventually falls in love with Brenda, but once he shows his vulnerability to her, his lifestyle begins to catch up to him.
Carl Hanratty (Male Presenting, 35-45, Baritone G2-G4) – An FBI agent leading the investigation and search for Frank Jr. A knowledgeable and habitual workaholic who idolizes the moment he catches his perp. A divorcee who never had children of his own, He lives a private life of loneliness and depression. And Frank Jr may not only be his greatest catch, but also his road to personal redemption.
Frank Abagnale, Sr. (Male Presenting, 40-55, Baritone F2-G#4) – Frank Jr.’s father and the man he idolizes most, even though he really shouldn’t because his father simply puts on a facade. Upbeat and fast-talking at the outset, Frank Sr. experiences a series of progressive failures that costs him his livelihood, his family, his home, and ultimately, his dignity.
Paula Abagnale (Female Presenting, 35-50, Alto A3–C5) – Frank Jr.’s mother who is all about elegance and living beyond her means. She speaks with a French accent as she met Frank Sr. in France, during the war, but has since fallen out of love with him and has an extramarital affair. While she isn’t evil or nasty, she lacks many traditional maternal instincts and has an underlying resentment toward her husband, which also manifests itself, at times, toward her son.
Brenda Strong (Female Presenting, 20-30, Soprano G3–A5) – A young nurse and Frank Jr.’s eventual love interest. Hard-working and initially insecure, she meets Frank Jr. at work. At first skeptical, she comes to trust him but his true identity clouds her feelings and as much as she wants to believe in him, eventually she is the reason for the demise of his life on the run. She gets to sing the musical’s 11 o’clock number in the show’s most powerful moment.
Carol Strong (Female Presenting, 40-55, Alto Bb3-A5) – Brenda’s traditional Southern socialite mother. She is talkative and boisterous and a truly comedic character. This track may also include additional roles in Act I.
Roger Strong (Male Presenting, 40-60, Baritone A2-A4) – Brenda’s conservative father. He is stern and interrogatory, after all, he is a New Orleans attorney. However, he eventually reveals himself to be deeply romantic. This track may also include additional roles in Act I.
Ensemble (Any identity, Ages 18+) –The ensemble in this show will be extremely busy including many featured roles. With plenty of dialogue and featured solo vocal tracks (and lots of costume changes!) Ensemble members will play a variety of characters, including, but not limited to FBI Agents (including three featured agents), Commuters; Assistants; Stewardesses (We need 10!); Pilots; Escorts, Party-Goers; Doctors; Nurses; Interns; Bartenders. Ensemble members should be versatile singers, dancers and actors as the director is a big proponent of featuring the ensemble as often as possible to create the world of the story. The music director will be seeking a variety of voices for the complex harmonies in the music while the choreographer will be seeking experienced dancers who can advance and enhance the action of the scene while not stealing it individually. The size of the ensemble will be approximately 15-20 people total.
In addition, we may consider casting understudies and/or swings for some of the named roles listed above. If you are asked to be an understudy, you will be given an opportunity to perform that role multiple times (dates and number of performances would be determined after casting). Swings would not be guaranteed a performance.
Location: Auditions, rehearsals, and performances will be held in-person at the Players Club of Swarthmore (614 Fairview Rd, Swarthmore, PA 19081). Plenty of off-street parking and access by Septa Regional Rail and Bus. Rehearsals are usually three evenings a week, beginning September 23, with a full week of technical/dress rehearsals. Some of our rehearsal and performance spaces are only accessible by stairs. Please let us know if you need accommodation.
PA Volunteer Clearances are required should you be cast. PCS Policies and Procedures can be found at pcstheater.org
Please note this is a non-union, non-paying production. Transparency and open communication are extremely important to us; if you have any questions, please email the director at asf3737@gmail.com.
