'CATCH ME IF YOU CAN' Benefit Performance Honoring Teresa Butz Raises $10K For Compass Center

The 5th Avenue Theatre held a special benefit performance of their world premiere musical Catch Me If You Can on Wednesday, August 5 to benefit the Compass Center, a non-profit agency serving homeless and low income individuals and families in the greater Seattle area.

The benefit was in honor of the memory of Teresa Butz, who was a board member of the Compass Center. Five dollars of every ticket sold for the performance was donated to the Center, with half of the donation coming from the Theatre and half from the show's New York producing partners.

The Seattle Times reports that he benefit performance raised $10,000 for The Compass Center. An additional $6,054 was raised for the agency by Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, the Broadway company of the musical "Wicked," the Broadway company of the Tony-winning revival of "HAIR" and the Manhattan Class Company and Wicked LLC. Norbert Leo Butz, Theresa's brother and the star of 'Catch' was also an original co-star of "Wicked."

The Compass Center serves homeless and low-income men and women over 18 years of age, a vulnerable and underserved population in Seattle and King County. It is a culturally and ethnically diverse population, consisting of individuals with varying strengths and needs.

CATCH ME IF YOU CAN is 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. With a score soaked in the jazzy, swingin' '60s jet-set culture, the game of cat and mouse has never been so stylish.

Tickets for all performances are available over the phone by calling 206-625-1900 / toll-free 888-5TH-4TIX (584-4849), in person at the box office at 1308 5th Avenue, Seattle, WA 98101, or online at 5thavenue.org.

The 5th Avenue Theatre is Seattle's premier musical theater. In 1980, the non-profit 5th Avenue Theatre began producing and presenting top-quality live musical theater for the cultural enrichment of the Northwest community. The 5th Avenue Theatre maintains a subscription audience of over 25,000 and an annual attendance of more than 287,000. It ranks among the nation's largest and most respected musical theater companies. The Theatre is committed to encouraging the next generation of theatergoers through its Educational Outreach Program which includes: The Adventure Musical Theatre Touring Company, The 5th Avenue High School Musical Theatre Awards, the Student Matinee Program and Spotlight Nights. Unique in its Chinese-inspired design, the exquisite theater opened in 1926 as a venue for vaudeville and film. Today, under the leadership of Managing Director Marilynn Sheldon and Producing Artistic Director David Armstrong, The 5th Avenue Theatre continues to achieve the highest standards in all aspects of artistic endeavors and facility operations, while preserving its artistic, architectural and historic legacy.

The scenic design for CATCH ME IF YOU CAN is by Tony Nominee David Rockwell(Hairspray, Legally Blonde), costume design is by Bob Mackie (Minnelli on Minnelli, "TheCarol Burnett Show") and lighting design is by Tony Award winner Kenneth Posner(Wicked, Hairspray). The music director for CATCH ME IF YOU CAN is John McDaniel. Orchestrations for the musical are by Larry Blank and Marc Shaiman.

For more information, visit www.5thavenue.org.

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