EAGLE \u2014Not all romances are the kissy-kissy kind.<\/p>\n
While some romances detail the quest for true love, others tell tales of people who chase their\u00a0dreams. This February, as the Porchlight Players stage their annual Valentine\u2019s Day dinner theater performances, downvalley community theater troupe\u00a0members have embraced that second type of romance. They\u00a0have opted to present the romantic tale of Frank Abagnale Jr .\u2014 the protagonist of \u201cCatch Me If You Can.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOne of our board members, Shelby Keys, brought the idea to perform this show to our attention. After listening to the 60’s style, Frank Sinatra-esque swinging soundtrack and reading the script, we felt it was a good fit for our company,\u201d said Porchlight Players President Ann Olin.<\/p>\n
Judging by ticket sales, her assessment was correct. All shows are currently sold out, but the Porchlight Players are accepting names for a waiting list.<\/p>\n
\u201cCatch Me if You Can\u201d is a musical based on the 2002\u00a0film that starred Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hanks. Nominated for four Tony Awards, including best musical, the show tells the story of how Abagnale runs away from home to begin an unforgettable adventure. With nothing more than his boyish charm, a big imagination and millions of dollars in forged checks, Frank successfully poses as a pilot, a doctor and a lawyer. He enjoys living the high life and even romances the girl of his dreams. When Frank’s lies catch the attention of FBI agent Carl Hanratty, Carl pursues Frank across the country to make him pay for his crimes.<\/p>\n
It is no small feat for the Porchlight Players to stage \u201cCatch Me If You Can.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSince we have limited space at the Brush Creek Pavilion, we have a relatively small cast \u2014 14 people \u2014 for this show, so most cast members play more than one character, which requires a new costume each time,\u201d said Olin.\u00a0\u201cThere are many costumes needed and that requires the cast, especially the ensemble, to make numerous costume changes throughout the show.\u201d<\/p>\n
That being said, Olin said the cast has embraced the material.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a fun song and dance show, so both the music and the choreography have been exciting,\u201d said Olin. \u201cAnd as always, the camaraderie among the cast makes rehearing fun.\u201d<\/p>\n
For the past several years, the dinner part of the Porchlight Players dinner theater production has been provided by Fork Art Catering.<\/p>\n
\u201cFork Art is are based in Eagle, and owned by Roger and Lauren King,\u201d said Olin. \u201cRoger has been a chef at several Vail Valley restaurants as well as a banquet chef, senior sous chef and executive chef with Marriott. Lauren has worked in food and beverage all her life, heading Marriott’s Food and Beverage department and most recently at Vail Cascade Resort & Spa.\u201d<\/p>\n
This year\u2019s entree choices are coq au\u00a0vin with roasted carrots and boiled potatoes; shrimp and grits with corn, zucchini and cherry tomatoes\u2019; and vegan Cuban\u00a0black beans and rice with collard greens and fried plantains.<\/p>\n
\u201cFork Art\u2019s focus is on fresh, local and seasonal ingredients in their meals,\u201d said Olin.<\/p>\n
With this year\u2019s performances sold out more than a week before opening night, the annual dinner theater event has become a Valentine\u2019s tradition for many downvalley residents. Olin noted that the popularity of the annual musical performances highlights local support for live theater.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe hope that someday, Eagle will have a designated performing arts center with a permanent stage, so that we can have the space to involve more people in productions,\u201d she concluded.<\/p>\n
If you go\u2026<\/strong><\/p>\n What:<\/strong> Porchlight Players Community Theater performance of \u201cCatch Me If You Can.\u201d<\/p>\n When:<\/strong> Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 8-10; Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Feb. 14-16.<\/p>\n Time:<\/strong> Doors open at 6:15 p.m., dinner service starts at 6:30 p.m. and the show starts at 7:30 p.m.<\/p>\n