5th Avenue cancels more 'Catch Me If You Can' previews

The 5th Avenue Theatre has canceled all preview performances through Sunday of the new Broadway-bound musical "Catch Me If You Can."

After initially canceling just Thursday and Friday nights, the 5th announced Wednesday that all shows scheduled through the first weekend would be canceled, as well. However, the company is scheduling two additional performances of the musical for next week, at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 28, and Wednesday, July 29, to accommodate patrons affected by the cancellations.

A multimillion-dollar, world-premiere musical based on the successful Steven Spielberg movie of the same title, "Catch Me If You Can" co-stars Norbert Leo Butz as an FBI agent who tracks down a teenage con man, played by Aaron Tveit.

The show was set to begin previews Thursday, but was delayed due to the brutal murder in Seattle of Butz's younger sister Teresa Butz, 39, a South Park resident who was the victim of a knife attack by a home intruder.

According to the 5th Avenue, Butz will not be replaced and will continue to play his role through the Seattle run, which is scheduled to end on Aug. 16.

Affected ticketholders can trade in their seats for other performances during the run. The new shows are also open to the public; tickets go on sale Friday morning.

For details, exchanges and refunds, call 206-625-1900 or visit www.5thavenue.org, or go to the 5th Avenue Box Office at 1308 Fifth Ave., in downtown Seattle.

Misha Berson: mberson@seattletimes.com