“Catch Me If You Can” will be performed until Sunday at Wharton Center, with tickets available at whartoncenter.com.
When it comes to the Broadway production of “Catch Me If You Can,” actress Ashley Chasteen wears many hats.
Having recently been a part of “CATS” National Tour and “Damn Yankees,” Chasteen now plays a dance captain and understudies several roles in the Broadway tour of “Catch Me If You Can,” which premiered Tuesday and plays through Sunday at Wharton Center. The musical tells the story of con artist Frank W. Abagnale Jr., and was based on the 2002 crime film.
The State News recently caught up with Chasteen on her past experiences, how she got involved with the production and the art of juggling her roles.
The State News: What has it been like to fulfill so many roles within the production?
CHASTEEN: It’s the best of all worlds for me. I do understudy a couple of lead roles. Eight ensemble tracks are also dancing, and I get to explore the acting realm within the lead role … to be able to work with directors and choreography and really delve into the dance world from a management position is a really rewarding experience on a first national tour … It’s so much fun to do, I can’t help but smile really big.
SN: How did you get your start with performance?
I’ve been dancing since I was 3, and I consider that performing as well. I got into acting in high school and started singing in college, and I’ve been performing professionally since I graduated in 2007.
Continued from Thursday’s print edition of The State News
SN: When did you hear about “Catch Me If You Can”? What was your first impression?
My fiance and I saw it in New York when I was there doing auditions, and we just fell in love with the music. The band was on stage with the whole show, and it was amazing. They weren’t holding auditions yet, but I always had a great experience in my mind from what I saw.
SN: How do you think having both a role and playing several understudy parts is helping you grow as a performer?
I’m a control freak, and I obviously can’t control any of that. It’s teaching me to really go with the flow and be able to take what comes your way with positivity and calmness. A couple of weeks ago, somebody went out of the show in the middle, so I had to put her costume on and finish the show for her. Someone might call two hours before the show, which means I’m on for them. I always have to be very flexible. There’s always ten different possibilities for the night.
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