Orange Lutheran Arts opens the 2025–2026 theatrical season with Catch Me If You Can, on stage October 23–26 at the Alexandra Nechita Center for the Arts.

The high-energy, Tony Award-nominated Broadway musical is inspired by the real-life story of Frank Abagnale Jr., a charming young con artist who successfully posed as an airline pilot, doctor and lawyer before his 21st birthday, all while being pursued by FBI Agent Carl Hanratty.

A musical comedy spectacle that is full of dance numbers, showgirls and swinging big-band music, Catch Me If You Can is what OLu Director of Dramatic Arts Chelsey Everhart calls “classic musical theatre.”

“It’s something really fun, just a classic,” says Everhart of Catch Me If You Can. “I like this musical because it's about the ultimate actor, and it's based off a true story, which I always find more interesting. I appreciate the way the story is written because I feel in [Frank Abagnale Jr.’s] mind, he's constantly putting on a show for others.”

Following auditions at the start of the school year, nearly 40 students will take the stage in Catch Me If You Can, supported by another approximately 20 students who will work behind the scenes in technical roles to help bring the musical to life. Theatre Tech, a newer offering from OLu Arts, introduces students to the behind-the-scenes elements of a stage production, including lighting, sound and crew work.

Starring in the lead roles are junior Kyle Monson as Frank Abagnale Jr. and senior Corey Navarro as Carl Hanratty. Both Monson and Navarro have an extensive background in theatre, having begun performing at just five years old. The two have been longtime friends, sharing the stage together for several years through community theatre programs.

“I love the excitement of putting on a show for people, just giving something people love and people want to see,” says Navarro. “And I love the feeling of an opening night, being there, everyone's cheering and you just come out and put on a good show for people.”

OLu’s strong reputation in the arts brought these friends together as Lancers, and both have appeared in several productions on the Nechita stage, including Mary Poppins, Xanadu, Grease and The Hunchback of Notre Dame. OLu’s commitment to the arts has provided Navarro and Monson a place to develop and grow their passion for theatre.

“The community is so good here,” says Monson of OLu. “Other schools either have a great theater program or a great choir program or a great dance program, but not a lot of schools have it all. And I feel like not only do we have a great program in each of those aspects, but they all work so well together.”

Both Monson and Navarro have been fans of Catch Me If You Can for as long as they can remember and have always hoped for the chance to step into these iconic roles. Now they are thrilled to have the opportunity to make that dream a reality together at OLu.

“I've always loved this show and this role,” says Navarro of Hanratty. “Just the energy you get to have with his character every night, it’s fun to play.”

While this isn’t Monson’s first lead role in an OLu Arts production, having played Burt in Mary Poppins (2023) and William Shakespeare in Shakespeare in Love (2025), he is especially looking forward to the vocal demands of this role.

“This has definitely been one of my all-time dream roles,” said Monson of Frank Abagnale Jr. “All of his songs that he sings are so catchy and fun to sing…But it's also so fun to be a convict on the run.”

After rehearsing three to four times a week since August, the cast will open Catch Me If You Can on Thursday, October 23, at 7:00pm. Additional performances will be held on Friday, October 24 (7:00pm), Saturday, October 25 (2:00pm and 7:00pm), and Sunday, October 26 (2:00pm). Navarro and Monson hope students will take the time to experience this high-flying adventure.

“It's quick-paced, it's fun and you're never going to be bored,” says Navarro. “And just when you think it's just all glitz and glamour, at the core, it's truly a heartfelt and exciting story. I think anybody would love it at any age.”

Everhart hopes students will come out to see the show and that their experience will inspire more to audition for future productions.

“I think of how many times seniors have come in last minute, their senior year, and say they wish they did this their freshman year,” says Everhart. “So if you find yourself with a free season, if you're not doing a sport, just audition. It's really fun. And in the digital world, it's nice to experience human interaction.”

Productions like Catch Me If You Can and OLu’s investment in arts education serve as a reminder of how creative expression can be vital in providing students a well-rounded high school experience.

“I think the arts are important…and these kids, they feel deeply, they appreciate aesthetic, they're better problem solvers,” says Everhart. “It's a soft skill that I think doesn't get enough attention, and I think when you start doing studies later on, we're going to realize how invaluable the arts are.”

For more information and to purchase tickets for Catch Me If You Can, visit lhsoc.org/arts/purchase-tickets