Based on the DreamWorks film of the same name and the autobiography by Frank Abagnale Jr. and Stan Redding, Catch Me If You Can reunites much of the Tony-winning creative team from Hairspray including director Jack O'Brien, choreographer Jerry Mitchell and songwriters Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman. The musical also features a book by Tony winner Terrance McNally (Kiss of the Spider Woman, Ragtime, Master Class).
Catch Me If You Can, which was originally scheduled to begin previews July 23, delayed performances to due a death in the family of Tony-winning actor Norbert Leo Butz. The 5th Avenue added performances July 28 and 29 to accommodate ticket holders whose performances were cancelled. The engagement will continue through Aug. 16.
The musical stars Norbert Leo Butz as FBI Fraud Agent Carl Hanratty, Aaron Tveit as Frank, Tom Wopat as Frank Sr., Kerry Butler as Brenda, Linda Hart as Carol, Rachel deBenedet as Paula, Nick Wyman as Roger and Felicia Finley as Cherll Ann.
The ensemble includes Matt Wolfe, Timothy Piggee, Tod Branton, Clarke Thorell, Brandon Wardell, Angie Schworer, Romelda Benjamin, Anastica McClesky, Taryn Darr, Shanna Palmer, Jillana Laufner, Kyle Vaughn, Mo Brady, Jason Kappus, Karl Warden, Nikki Long and David Alewine.
Catch Me If You Can is described as "the unbelievable yet true story of Frank Abagnale, Jr., a sexy young con artist who posed, and was employed, as a doctor, lawyer and Pan Am pilot all before he was 21. Carl Hanratty, a middle-aged bored FBI agent, comes alive when assigned to catch this charming swindler whose check-forging skills have netted him more than $2.8 million. The battle of wills intensifies as they become curious about one another and begin to question what they're each chasing in their own lives." In May 2007, when Catch Me If You Can was still in development, composer Shaiman described the show's musical styles to Playbill.com. "The score is as eclectic as the music of the mid-'60s was," he said. "On any given Sunday, you could hear The Rolling Stones or The Beatles on 'Ed Sullivan,' a Frank Sinatra special or 'The Judy Garland TV Show,' teen idols on 'Hullabaloo,' Henry Mancini themes, Dean Martin & The Goldiggers. It is a fantastic palette to draw from."
The production has scenic design by Tony nominee David Rockwell, costume design by Bob Mackie, lighting design by Tony Award winner Kenneth Posner, music direction by John McDaniel, with orchestrations by Marc Shaiman and Larry Blank.
Tickets are available by phoning (206) 625-1900 or by visiting 5thAvenue.
