By Ed Lowe
Senior Writer
Former Olympic gymnast Cathy Rigby flew into town in a cloud of fairy dust for what she says will be her final tour with the venerable "Peter Pan." The James M. Barry play is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, though Rigby has been part of the legend for only the past 14 years. This version of the show, which originally starred Mary Martin as the impish Peter who refuses to grow up, has retained the old songs and spirit. Especially memorable in the cast is the irrepressible villain, the oleaginous, totally corrupt Captain Hook played by Howard McGillin.
The entire show is designed to be a delight for younger audiences, though when the fairy dust descends on the adults, there are a lot of smiles showing. The story has been around too long to retell, but the pirates and the Indians who fill the action sequences and perform the Jerome Robbins dances are still a delight to see.
Cathy Rigby has made the production a family affair. She is directly related to no fewer than nine other members of the cast or production crew. Dana Solimando who plays Tiger Lily is her daughter-in-law; her son, Ryan Mason, performs as Nana the dog, a pirate and an Indian; daughter Theresa McCoy also has three roles and Kaitlin McCoy performs in two other parts. It also helps to be married to Tom McCoy, the producer. Any DNA analysis of the show, however, would reveal that they are not directly related to the original author, Barrie.
Rigby has made the show her own and she will be missed until another performer takes the material which, somehow, never seems to grow up—just like Peter—or get stale. It's worth a trip to the Cadillac Palace before the show closes on Feb. 13. For ticket information, call (312) 902-1400. |
