Student-led production brings Broadway hit to Harbourfront Centre this long weekend
Toronto Metropolitan Theatre Company brings an entirely student-led production to the stage each year. This year’s performance is an energetic take on Broadway hit, Catch Me If You Can. Photo by Delphine Winton
Looking for family-friendly activities in the city this long weekend?
Toronto Metropolitan Theatre Company (TMTC) hopes you’ll attend this year’s production of Catch Me If You Can, which features over 100 TMU students from various programs including Dance, Acting and Production. Catch one of the performances at the Harbourfront Centre between March 27 - 30.
Based on the true story and hit film, Catch Me If You Can follows the adventures of teenage con artist Frank Abagnale Jr., as he charms his way through life, evading the FBI. “TMTC tries to focus on shows with large ensembles that provide ample opportunities for everyone to get involved and have their moment to shine on stage,” says Nathan Gregory (Performance: Production `25), TMTC president.
“Catch Me If You Can is a super fun show! We were drawn to the wide range of styles and emotions that it guides the audience through and that our talented performers take on in stride,” says Vienne Janssen (Creative Industries `25), director of the production.
“From bright and explosive classical musical theatre numbers to jazzy duos and emotional ballads, this show allows for the entire TMTC team to showcase a variety of skills. This show is a unique character study and fun opportunity for the creative team and cast to tell a well-known story while infusing it with our own unique spin.”
This year’s production
Each year, TMTC puts on one full-scale musical performance, and the whole project is led entirely by students, most from The Creative School, but others spread out across various programs.
“We have a wonderful group of students working on the show, from our executive team, to the cast, creative, production and band. We're currently sitting at over 60 company members from all across the university,” he says.
Janssen says she’s had an amazing time working with all the students involved. “Having the opportunity to work with such talented people who all share the same passion for theatre is super rewarding. Personally, this is my first time directing and it has been such a valuable learning experience,” she says. “Our entire team – the cast, band, production, executive and creative team members – have been working hard for months to bring this show to life and seeing it all come together is so special.”
See one of the performances running March 27 - 30, with both matinee performances as well as evening ones.
Janssen hopes the audiences will be just as energized by the team’s performance. “It’s my ultimate dream that we can help at least one person discover the magic of theatre and I encourage everyone from musical theatre buffs to those who have never seen a show to check it out,” she says. “Theatre is such a special avenue for building community, self expression and transferable skills and I hope that it is able to continue to spread joy in people’s lives in Toronto. Theatre fans attending or planning to attend TMU - join us! It’s an experience that you won’t want to miss.”
Gregory agrees and says he just wants the team to have fun. “TMTC is grounded in two main pillars: Community and Opportunity. We're all about getting a good group of people together who are passionate about a production, while providing some opportunities that not everyone has in their home program. We're hopeful that theatre in the city continues to grow and is supported through resource-sharing and increased funding – and that audiences continue to return post-pandemic.”
TMTC was founded in 2015 and strives to introduce musical theatre to the Toronto community. For more information about the company, visit their website. (external link)
Catch Me If You Can is running from March 27 - 30. To see performance times or to buy tickets, visit the Harbourfront Centre website (external link) .