Godfather of Flying Illusions Peter Foy Passes Away
Godfather of Flying Illusions Peter Foy Passes Away
#0Godfather of Flying Illusions Peter Foy Passes Away
Posted: 2/18/05 at 6:16pm
Peter Foy passed away Friday, February 18, 2005. He was 79.
He had been the godfather of flying effects since 1940.
In 1950, his reputation became well-known in the special effects industry when he flew Jean Arthur in PETER PAN on Broadway.
In 1954, he flew Mary Martin in the first musical adaptation of PETER PAN on Broadway. He also flew Sandy Duncan in the role in 1979, and Cathy Rigby in 1990.
The company he founded, Flying By Foy, have been the experts in the flying industry for decades. Their Broadway credits include:
Peter Pan (1950)
Peter Pan (1954)
Peter Pan (1979)
Peter Pan (1990)
Fool Moon (1993)
The Red Shoes (1993)
Fool Moon (1995)
Fool Moon (199
Blast! (2001)
Dracula, The Musical (2004)
in addition to assistance for Disney's THE LION KING and AIDA. He also did 'The Flying Nun' for television, and 'The Wiz' film.
This is not an official press release, this is information I have gathered. Some information may or may not be accurate.
"The Spectacle has, indeed, an emotional attraction of its own, but, of all the parts, it is the least artistic, and connected least with the art of poetry. For the power of Tragedy, we may be sure, is felt even apart from representation and actors. Besides, the production of spectacular effects depends more on the art of the stage machinist than on that of the poet."
--Aristotle
--Aristotle
wildcat
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/4/04
#1re: Godfather of Flying Illusions Peter Foy Passes Away
Posted: 2/18/05 at 8:07pmThanks for that. He brought magic to generations of children all over the world.
#2re: Godfather of Flying Illusions Peter Foy Passes Away
Posted: 2/18/05 at 8:15pm
you forgot the Madison Square Garden WIZARD OF OZ used flying by Foy as well.
I’ll never forget my excitement when suddenly Mary Martin started flying around the nursery room on that TV screen. ugh… it’s magical. he will be missed and his legacy will live on every time a character takes to the air.
#3re: Godfather of Flying Illusions Peter Foy Passes Away
Posted: 2/19/05 at 12:54pm
Well said. 
"The Spectacle has, indeed, an emotional attraction of its own, but, of all the parts, it is the least artistic, and connected least with the art of poetry. For the power of Tragedy, we may be sure, is felt even apart from representation and actors. Besides, the production of spectacular effects depends more on the art of the stage machinist than on that of the poet."
--Aristotle
--Aristotle
#4re: Godfather of Flying Illusions Peter Foy Passes Away
Posted: 2/19/05 at 1:04pm
my singular favorite "behind the scenes theater photo" is the one that has Jerome Robbins and Mary Martin flying together in midair at a rehearsal for PETER PAN.
The flying sequences in the musical PETER PAN are thrilling and breathtaking.
"Blow out the candles Robert and make a wish. Want something, want SOMETHING."
#5re: Godfather of Flying Illusions Peter Foy Passes Away
Posted: 2/19/05 at 1:07pmSame here. As soon as I can track down the owner of the photo - I will have it copied and placed on my wall.
"The Spectacle has, indeed, an emotional attraction of its own, but, of all the parts, it is the least artistic, and connected least with the art of poetry. For the power of Tragedy, we may be sure, is felt even apart from representation and actors. Besides, the production of spectacular effects depends more on the art of the stage machinist than on that of the poet."
--Aristotle
--Aristotle
#6re: Godfather of Flying Illusions Peter Foy Passes Away
Posted: 2/19/05 at 1:23pmCapnHook, there is a copy of the picture in DANCE WITH DEMONS, the book about Jerome Robbins. :)
"Blow out the candles Robert and make a wish. Want something, want SOMETHING."
#7re: Godfather of Flying Illusions Peter Foy Passes Away
Posted: 2/22/05 at 2:53pm
http://www.playbill.com/news/article/91334.html
http://www.peterpanfan.com/new/tribute.html
"The Spectacle has, indeed, an emotional attraction of its own, but, of all the parts, it is the least artistic, and connected least with the art of poetry. For the power of Tragedy, we may be sure, is felt even apart from representation and actors. Besides, the production of spectacular effects depends more on the art of the stage machinist than on that of the poet."
--Aristotle
Updated On: 2/22/05 at 02:53 PM
--Aristotle
#8re: Godfather of Flying Illusions Peter Foy Passes Away
Posted: 2/22/05 at 3:03pm
When I was in Peter Pan (I was michael!) we flew, using Flying By Foy...said to hear this 
awkward.
"I think it was the Korean tour or something. They were all frickin' asian!" -Zoran912
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