Directors' Note: Like Frank Abagnale's real life, this show is a well-executed con with hidden meaning tucked inside the misdirection. It is based on a true story of the life of Frank Abagnale Jr. being chased by FBI Agent Carl Hanratty (who is actually a culmination character of many FBI agents that chased Frank throughout the years).........But is it actually true? There are reports out there that we still may not know the actual truth about this man. There are many books, news articles, and speaking engagements recounting the tales, but is it all part of the game & pageantry that has consumed this man’s damaged life? And the big question is...what happened and why? Our families play a big part in how our mental health is developed throughout our lives. Some of us choose to run away from our problems when things get tough...ultimately creating a fantasy world. A lot of us just want to make our parents proud and want to hear "good job"...but at what cost? Frank grew up learning about scams and schemes to get by which then sets him on a path he can't walk away from. And while Frank rises to stolen millions, the glitzy technicolor American Dream is revealed to be an American Nightmare. Perhaps the greatest crimes are not forgery, grand larceny, or identity theft, but the damage and delusions we pass on to our children. And no matter how far, how fast you run, the regrets will always catch you, because they can.
About Surging Films & Theatrics: SF&T was created in 2014 by Artistic Director Billy Surges and is very excited to be coming up on the 10 year anniversary of the company. Over the last decade, Surging has grown exponentially and now has produced over 40 productions in the Chicago area. Most recently, SF&T was nominated for a Non-Equity (short run) Jeff Award for Urinetown the Musical in Summer of 2022.
SF&T prides themselves on taking bigger productions/ideas and transforming them into smaller performance spaces for a new take on the storytelling. We provide a safe space for recent college graduates and up-and-coming professional Chicago performers to gain experience and showcase their talents and abilities for Chicago audiences.
As a small, non-union company, we rely primarily on ticket sales to cover our production costs, cast and crew stipends, and other expenses...just hoping to break even and keep our doors open for the next production. We do not have major donors or outside investors at this time. We are committed to putting every last dollar towards the production and the team of performers/crew that bring our shows to life so our SF&T community can thrive artistically. We hope you understand that the pandemic and record inflation has driven our ticket price up in order to keep our doors open. We greatly appreciate your support of SF&T. For more information, please visit www.surgingfilms.com
Special Thanks:
Bill and Diana Surges
Thom Lange & Jarod Battisto
Pat Rigg
The Calkins Brothers
Matt Baumann
Tyler McMahon/Chicago Heights Drama Group
The Cast, Crew, and Production Team
The Edge Theater
