Friends attend ‘Crazy for You’ at the Garland Summer Musicals.
Loyal theatergoers have enjoyed watching Audrey Pottkotter perform in musicals produced by Lake Highlands High School and community playhouses. This year, she’s singing and dancing in Garland Summer Musicals’ “Catch Me If You Can.”
Pottkotter, a rising junior at Oklahoma City University, is double majoring in musical theater and vocal performance. “Catch Me If You Can” is her fifth show with GSM.
“I first auditioned for GSM going into my senior year at LHHS because I wanted to gain performance experience outside of high school,” she told me. “Since then, I have continued to come back because I enjoy being able to perform over the summer while also working and being in Dallas. Getting to perform with people who have experience at different theater companies allows me to gain perspective on the industry. The community at GSM is wonderful, and I always enjoy the friendships I make during the rehearsals and performances.”
Pottkotter participated in GSM’s “42nd Street,” “Crazy for You,” “Singin’ in the Rain” and “The Sound of Music.” A side benefit, she says, is matching up with talented students from other colleges.
“There are quite a few students from other schools including TCU, Rider University and the University of Central Oklahoma. I enjoy getting to hear about different universities and their musical theater programs. It is great getting to meet students from other schools, because paths often cross again in the future.”
Pottkotter gained a following in Lake Highlands after wowing audiences as Donna in “Mamma Mia” (2023), Kathy in “Singin’ in the Rain” (2022), Harriet in “Emma!” (2021) and others. She has also performed with The Dallas Opera.
“The Lake Highlands community has been a major support system on my performance journey, and I always appreciate the support from friends, family, teachers and everyone in between.”
“Catch Me If You Can” is based on the hit film and true story of Frank Abagnale, Jr., who ran away from home as a teen and charmed his way into the jet-setting high life. He posed as a pilot, a doctor and a lawyer before capturing the attention of FBI agent Carl Hanratty. The Broadway show was nominated for four Tony awards including Best Musical.
The show runs July 18 to 27, with evening and matinee options. You’ll find a list of major cast members, including this writer’s talented sister-in-law, Suzanne Toler, online here. Tickets are available online here.
GSM performs at the Patty Granville Arts Center, 300 N. Fifth Street in Garland.
Audrey Pottkotter played the lead in LHHS’ production of Singin in the Rain.
