Back for another year, the TMTC recently performed their yearly musical production and it was nothing short of excellence

By Olivia Harbin

Detective Hanratty and his group of detectives followed him out of the wings as he frantically discussed his mission to find the wanted criminal, Frank Abagnale Jr.. Detective Hanratty, holding a binder as he spoke, went to throw his prop to his onstage colleague, Detective Dollar, who fumbled to catch the binder and dropped it onstage. This mishap did anything but distract the actors from their scene, as Detective Hanratty sighed “Dollar” in an annoyed tone and picked up the binder, dropping it into the hands of his scene partner. Without a beat, the impromptu accident was overlooked as a purposeful and comedic part of the scene, leaving audiences giggling cluelessly as the slight mistake was brushed aside.

Back for another year of showcasing the university’s talent, the Toronto Metropolitan Theatre Company (TMTC) recently performed on March 27 to 30 its production of the musical Catch Me If You Can. From upbeat numbers with top hats to emotionally moving performances of love and romance, this year’s production left me in awe of the amazing talent on and offstage.

Based on the 2002 film of the same name, the musical follows the chaotic life of Frank Abagnale Jr. as he steals identities and government money across the United States. FBI detective, Carl Hanratty, notices Frank’s illegal behaviour and makes it his life’s mission to track down Frank and arrest him. The chase for justice and happiness intertwined with the importance of love and friendship left the audience full of laughter and tears in this year's production.

This musical’s principal roles were filled by abundantly talented actors whose connection I found delightful throughout the performance. Frank Jr. was played by Isaac Van Deven, a second-year sports media student whose onstage presence and incredible voice were captivating throughout the show. Detective Hanratty was played by Cooper McCrory, a third-year creative industries student whose comedic timing and improvisation were some of my favourite moments of the production. The two’s enemies-to-friends trope was seamlessly portrayed, as the banter and energy between the two of them tied together the entire performance.

This flashy, upbeat show was also carried on the backs of the ensemble, who delivered an immaculate performance through their choreography and various solos. I could not take my eyes off of dance core member, Camille Griffiths, as she delivered an enticing and flawless performance during her solo in “Doctors Orders”. Her captivating stage presence alongside her sultry and smooth voice stood out to me throughout the show.

Second-year performance production student Grace Johnson (Carol Strong/Ensemble), was amusing throughout the show as her enthusiastic persona of an overbearing and secretly fun mom who is obsessed with her daughter's fiance. Alongside her onstage husband and dance partner, first-year media production student Kalon Young (Roger Strong/Ensemble), the two gave an entertaining performance that had me laughing. During the scene leading up to, “(Our) Family Tree”, the pair questions Frank Jr. over his intentions to marry their daughter, Brenda. Johnson’s slow flex of her arm muscle when asking Frank to be a part of their “strong” family and Young’s “serious dad” portrayal while interrogating Frank Jr. were the best comedic moments in the show. Their big, dazzling number “(Our) Family Tree” even featured the two growling at each other on their knees in a comical act of attraction before tearing away their conservative outfits to reveal colourful, fun costumes beneath. Their chemistry onstage and ability to not take themselves too seriously during this performance was my favourite part of the production.

Director Vienne Janssen chose “Catch Me If You Can” as a way of breaking their pattern of doing Renaissance shows like Something Rotten and Head Over Heels. Janssen said this year's production offered a chance to change the narrative and do a show that was more inclusive for everyone involved, as the show provided numerous roles for everyone to have a chance to shine.

“I think another thing about Catch Me If You Can in particular that really drew me was the amount of characters that come in and out and how fast the show moves. Everybody is involved in telling the story, even though it's centred around Frank. It's like you need every single person. If one ensemble member was sick, the entire thing falls apart,” said Janssen.

For this year’s production, acting students at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) could receive creative practice hours for participating in the show, making the rehearsal process different from previous years. Because the students were already experienced and trained in their acting, Janssen was amazed by what the students were able to conjure up for their characters without her complete direction.

“I learned so much from watching them act and it was great even for everybody, acting program or not. While directing, I had the confidence to just step back and be like, you guys know what you're doing. I just want you to play with it and see what comes out from there,” said Janssen.

Gillian Bennett, a first-year acting student at TMU, was an incredible addition to the cast in her role as Brenda Strong. As Frank Jr’s love interest, Brenda’s character goes through an emotional rollercoaster when finding out her fiance is a highly-wanted criminal who is being chased by the FBI. Bennett captured the pure and innocent essence of Brenda onstage, and delivered an amazing performance during her solo, “Fly Fly Away.” With an angelic voice that received well-deserved applause from the audience, Bennett was truly the pinnacle of this production.

This year’s band was led by Deanna Mann, a first-time musical director who, although new at the role, was able to guide the band through a musically superb performance.

Mann said one of her biggest challenges with this show was the little space the musicians had in their orchestra pit. Having changed theatre locations from the Al Green theatre to the Harbourfront Centre theatre, the small venue provided challenges for the band as there was a slim area on the front of the stage where they set up their musical stations. Aligned in rows of two going down the front of the stage, the nuisance of space did not distract the band from the amazing performance they put on.

“Each [musician] has to have their stands with all their instruments set up. They have to have the space to be able to take them off and put them back on. They're troopers. They're squeezing in there and they're making it work.” said Mann.

This year’s TMTC musical left me feeling like I could not only fly a plane if I wanted but left me with an immense appreciation of art, theatre and the TMTC. With an amazing cast and crew, this company did a fantastic job concerning this year's musical performance.

If you didn’t get to fly high with the wonderful cast of Catch Me If You Can this year, I urge you to keep a lookout for the announcement of their 2025 production.