Cathy Rigby’s by tony reverditto
THE TIMELESS CATHY RIGBY reprises the title role which earned her a Tony nomination in the 35th Anniversary production of Peter Pan on Broadway in 1991. Ten years earlier she made her musical debut in 1981 as Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz, and kept it going with Cat-In-The-Hat in Seussical; the Musical and in productions of Annie Get Your Gun, Meet Me In St. Louis, South Pacific, Paint Your Wagon, They’re Playing Our Song and The Unsinkable Molly Brown. She has been honored with the National Broadway Theatre Award, “Ova- tion” Lifetime Achievement Award (the West Coast version of a “Tony”) and the 2004 Distinguished Lifetime Service Award from The League of American Theatres and Producers.
Hello Cathy, This is Tony from The Rage Monthly here, thank you so much for taking the time to speak with me today. How are you? Oh, God no, it’s a privilege, thank you for doing this. It’s always
so helpful to remind people about the show and to get those first time patrons into the theatre. About every seven years we get a new batch of theatre goers, so it is great because the adults get to share the experience of the show in a fresh way through the eyes of their kids. First off, Kudos to you for bringing another re-imagined version of Peter Pan to the stage. How many performances have you done to date? You know, I think it is estimated at around 3,000. I started the live productions in
1986 and it became a signature role and I love doing it. Obviously, you are in touch with your inner child, but what transition do you have make from Cathy Rigby to a young boy named Peter Pan? It’s funny, because I chat backstage with the fellows on the crew that open
the windows when I first fly in. Usually we joke around and throw fairy dust on each other, which is so irritating for these poor guys because it sticks to you. The silliness helps put me in that little kid mood. I’ll tell you something else, when a person jumps off a 15 foot ladder, while connected to a wire at break neck speed, there is nothing that prepares you for the immediate thrill. The minute I fly in and hear the gasps from the audience, I’m there . . . well, Peter is there! What is the most outrageous thing that has happened during a performance of Peter Pan? I was off stage and getting ready to fly into the window at the very end and am supposed to take Jane with me. The music cue went off and nothing happened, I didn’t go into the air, so they undid my wire and I’m thinking how am I going to fly? Because I don’t have a wire and we are supposed to fly away together. So, I closed my eyes when Jane said “Peter, will you teach me how to fly?” and then she says “Peter, nothing is happening,” That was because our wires had gotten crossed, so when she jumped off, she slammed into the set wall! Is there something in your career that you haven’t done yet and really want to? Honestly, no, I feel so friggin’ blessed with a wonderful career and family. I will
be married 30 years on September 11, I want for nothing in my life. Of course, it would be wonderful to do a new Broadway musical and I would love to be on Dancing with the Stars. Finally . . . what does it feel like to fly? I can jump with my eyes closed, I can spin as fast as I want and because of my
trusted crew, I know I will land safely. It’s a wonderful feeling and I think everyone should do it.
16 RAGE monthly | JUNE 2012 RAGE monthly | JUNE 2012 Peter Pan
Peter Pan LIFTS THE SPIRIT!
by J.M. Barrie was originally a silent film
released by Paramount Pictures in 1924. From there the whimsical story has taken a journey to the stage, television, movie theatres, video games, and theme parks. Peter is a magical boy who simply refuses to grow up and when he meets the complacent Darling children (Wendy, John, and Michael), he takes them on a flying voyage from London to Neverland. They have an excit- ing adventure until they are confronted by Captain Hook and his pirate crew. Will Peter be able to save the day?
Cathy and her husband, Tom McCoy, are Executive Producers
of the McCoy Rigby Entertainment Series at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts in La Mirada, California and the new Fox Per- forming Arts Center in Riverside, California. They have successfully produced 18 seasons and have launched several national touring
productions. Peter Pan runs through Sunday, June 24 at La Mirada Theatre, 14900 La Mirada Boulevard. For tickets and more details call 562.944.9801 or
go to
lamiradatheatre.com. The production also runs Friday, June 29 through Sunday, July 1 at the Fox Performing Arts Center, 3801 Mission Inn Avenue. For tickets and more information call 951.779.9800 or go to
foxriversidelive.com.
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