Cathy Rigby Really Takes Flight In ‘Peter Pan’ At The Pantages Theatre In Hollywood
Originally opening in 1954 to roaring Broadway crowds, the legendary adventures of ‘Peter Pan’ have been embraced by audiences worldwide. With music and lyrics written by Jule Styne, Mark Charlap, Betty Comden, Adolph Green and Carolyn Leigh, the inncocent story by Sir James M. Barrie of the ‘boy who will never grow up’, lives on at the Pantages Theatre production of ‘Peter Pan’.
Giving one of the most energetic and acrobatic performances I have ever seen in the history of this production, Cathy Rigby plays that boy whose best companion is a fairy named Tink. Smart and sassy, quick and sharp and very innocent is the charm of Cathy and her portrayal of the boy from Never Never Land. It’s truly amazing to watch her acrobatic skills, wonderfully melodic voice and quick sense of comic timing to make ‘Peter Pan’, an old fantastic story, into a modern day classic favorite again. Opening night, and Cathy had the audience cheering and applauding at her wildly fun and fancy free flying (wire-work) she did all over the stage. She really engaged the entire audience and you couldn’t keep your eyes off of her!
Now you can’t have a ‘good-guy’ without a villain and let me just say the hysterical portrayal of Captain Hook as played by Brent Barrett was a pure joy to see. His dual role as the father Mr. Darling and Hook made for an pleasant and fun treat to watch. Brent’s Mr. Darling was fun, clever and charming, while his Hook was cunning, fanciful and extremely eager to beat Pan so much so that the audience rather loudly boo’d him as he walked on stage for the first time to which he replied right to the audience, “Ahhhh….grow up!”
Kim Crosby does a wonderful job of playing Mrs. Darling and the grown-up Wendy at the end. Kim’s excitement at her children and the wonderful chemistry she has with Brent makes for a real fun family feel for the ensemble. Also a special nod to Smee who is played by James Leo Ryan who also is obviously having a great deal of fun with the colorful Brent (as Hook) working on stage together.
The kids were performed with a certain charm by Krista Buccellato as Wendy, Julia Massey as Michael Darling and Lexy Baeza as John Darling. Their obvious on-stage chemistry made for such a great mix of wonderment and adventure especially being led astray by Peter Pan himself!
All the songs are back and boldly colored including the favorites “Pirate Song,” “Hook’s Tango,” “I Won’t Grow Up” and, my personal favorite due to the acrobatics of flying on stage and wonderful singing talents of Cathy Rugby, “I’m Flying!”
Fantastic choreography and dance moves by everyone especially during the Indian dance titled “Ugg-A-Wugg.” There were leaps, kicks, flips, flights and ceremonial drum beating even by Cathy and Tiger Lily herself played proudly by Jenna Wright. Jenna has some amazing acrobatic skills.
The sets were fanciful and colorful and the lighting effects for Tink were cleverly done and engaged the audience with a ‘laser-like’ twinkle. The wire work was incredible and the freedom the actors had to literally dance in the air was amazing to watch. There was even a final fly-by/fly over by Cathy herself, right over the audience sprinkling her fairy dust over everyone. (Of course, to a standing ovation!)
This is a great show to see and fun for the whole family. It showcases some classic songs and some innovative theatre techniques that make this production a fun-filled adventure of wonder, music and dance. Cathy Rigby is back and at 60 years old, boy can she act, sing and fly! You gotta see her!