Low male voice repertoire in contemporary musical theatre: a studio and performance guide of selected songs 1996-2020 by

Musical 
Music Lyrics 
LMV 
Range 
LMV 
Tessitura 
Catch Me If You Can (2011) 
Marc Shaiman 
Scott Wittman 
Marc Shaiman 
Frank Sr. 
F
2
– G#
4
mm. 43-57 - ML 
mm. 58-65 - MH 
mm. 66-75 - H 
mm. 81-103 - H 
Musical Theatre Style 
Song Type/Feel 
Tempo 
Contemporary Pop/Jazz 
Big Band Duet 
120bpm, Swing 
Vocalism 
Breathy 
Speech-like 
Character 
Belt 
Legit 
Operatic 
Sources: Data adapted from Tom Wopat and Aaron Tveit, “Butter Outta Cream,” track 6 on Catch Me If You Can 
(Original Broadway Cast Recording), Ghostlight Records, 2017, Amazon Music streaming audio, 
https://music.amazon.com/albums/B076YM56VQ?trackAsin=B076YMBPM7&ref=dm_sh_d25e-2acc-dmcp-ebfc-
7a854&musicTerritory=US&marketplaceId=ATVPDKIKX0DER; Marc Shaiman, “Butter Outta Cream,” in Catch 
Me If You Can: Sheet Music from the Broadway Musical (Van Nuys, CA: Alfred Music, 2011): 65-74. 
Plot 
The musical follows the life of Frank Abagnale Jr. from teen to young adult as he finds success as 
a notorious con man. Much of the material is based on the autobiography of the man himself, which 
spawned a movie as well. While cornered by Agent Hanratty in the present, Frank Jr. recounts his 
journey through flashbacks which also explores his relationships with fiancée, mother and father. Agent 
Hanratty spends the show collecting clues to Frank Jr.’s identity and age, always a step behind in the 
chase.
3
Character 
In this duet, the low-voice feature is sung by Frank’s father, Frank Abagnale Sr. His divorce with 
Paula serves as a catalyst for his son to run away and learn the art of the con. He is a business owner in 
the first half of the play, but money troubles force him to close the shop. He serves as a minor character 
3
“Catch Me If You Can,” Music Theatre International, MTI Enterprises Inc., accessed September, 3, 2020, 
https://www.mtishows.com/catch-me-if-you-can. 

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51 
in the second half of the show – it is revealed he turned to drinking and back in the present time, news of 
his death causes Frank Jr. to give up his thoughts of making an escape.
4
Context 
Frank Jr. returns home to celebrate his financial success to find his father drinking at the club; 
Frank Sr. has been forced to close his shop due to money woes. Frank Jr. offers to give him the money to 
get back on track, but Frank refuses. To cheer him up, Frank Jr. reminds his father of a parable he used to 
tell about the benefits of gumption and shifting goals.
5