Who Even Is Elizabeth?-A Review ‘Catch Me If You Can’ at Meadow Brook Theatre
If you’re looking for a night out that doesn’t involve another overpriced cocktail bar or sitting through a reboot of a reboot at the movies, let me recommend Catch Me If You Can at Meadow Brook Theatre in Auburn Hills. No, not the Leonardo DiCaprio con artist movie, which has also transitioned to a stage musical—this is the other Catch Me If You Can (based on the French play Trap for a Lonely Man), and it’s a twisty little psychological thriller that’ll keep you guessing all the way to curtain call.
[Warning: spoilers from Meadow Brook Theatre’s Catch Me If You Can are below!]
Catch Me If You Can delivers twists and turns at MBT
This production kicks off Meadow Brook’s 59th season, and it’s a strong opener—tense, well-acted, and surprisingly funny in places. Set in a remote cabin in the Catskills, the story centers around Daniel Corban, played by Stephen Blackwell (Strangers on a Train, A Christmas Carol), whose new wife has gone mysteriously missing. When she suddenly reappears with a priest in tow, claiming she’s been there the whole time, Daniel insists she’s an impostor. Cue the mind games and quite possibly the craziest three-act play we’ve ever witnessed, as Catch Me If You Can keeps audiences guessing until the curtain falls.
Blackwell is excellent as Daniel—neurotic, intense, and completely unhinged in that “Is this guy losing it or is everyone else gaslighting him?” kind of way. Watching his slow unraveling is half the fun. He delivers just the right amount of spiraling paranoia without going full Joker, teetering on the line throughout the entire show.
Opposite him is Ashley Wickett (Strangers on a Train) as “Elizabeth,” and she’s equally captivating. Is she telling the truth? Is she lying? Is she something else entirely? Wickett plays it cool, leaning into the uncertainty, and she makes it deliciously hard to decide whether to root for her or run from her. Their scenes together are like a psychological tennis match—you’re never sure who has the upper hand.
The rest of the cast delivers, too. Timothy C. Goodwin as Inspector Levine gives big “detective who’s seen it all” energy, while Tyrick Wiltez Jones (director of MBT’s Footloose) as Father Kelleher adds a calm, grounded presence that slowly starts to feel… off. Phil Powers (A Christmas Carol, The Angel Next Door) as Sidney is the wildcard (and also a healthy dose of comedic relief), Katy Kujala is understated but sharp as Mrs. Parker, and Richard Marlatt rounds things out with a performance that’s a little unsettling in all the right ways.
The technical side of a mystery show
One of the coolest parts of this production is how it plays with simplicity. The set design is minimal— a single room with a few pieces of furniture—and the whole story unfolds in one location. Instead of big flashy effects, the show builds tension with smart lighting, perfectly timed sound cues, and the growing feeling that nobody is telling the truth. It’s like Knives Out meets Gone Girl, but without the internet or cell phones to save anyone.
The pacing is mostly tight, though there are a few slower stretches in the middle where you start trying to solve the mystery like it’s an escape room. (Pro tip: You won’t figure it out.) But once the third act kicks in, things escalate quickly. And the final twist? Legitimately satisfying.
As someone who watches a fair amount of crime shows, this hit all the right notes. It’s the kind of show that has you leaning forward, whispering to your friend, “Wait… is she lying or is he just crazy?”
A bonus: Meadow Brook Theatre is an easy drive and has that intimate, old-school theater charm. No bad seats, no pretentious vibe. It’s the kind of place where you can wear jeans and a sweater and not feel underdressed, but also not out of place if you want to make a night of it.
Catch Me If You Can kicks Meadow Brook’s season off right!
If you’re into thrillers, plot twists, or stories that mess with your head just enough to make you question your own memory on the drive home, Catch Me If You Can is absolutely worth checking out. It’s smart, sharp, and makes for a perfect October night out that doesn’t involve a haunted house or pumpkin spice anything.
Recommended for: fans of The Sixth Sense, The Girl on the Train, and anyone who enjoys asking “Wait, what just happened?” in the best way.
Catch Me If You Can runs at Meadow Brook Theatre through November 2nd, so get your tickets now! Have you checked out this show? Let us know @BoxSeatBabes on all social media platforms!
