PETER PAN 10/15

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 10/16/04 at 3:50am

As is the case with a lot of theatre fans I too grew up watching Mary Martin fly around the nursery on my television screen and even though I could see the wires there was always something magical about it no matter how many times I watched it. My friends and I would even play games of Peter Pan and the pirates. I always played Peter (sang the hell out of "Neverland", too) and we would always force the youngest one to play hook. Fast forward to present day. I'll be turning 18 in less than 9 days and there is still, and always will be, something so magical about this musical that every kid and adult is able to cherish no matter what.

So, why should you venture out to see Cathy Rigby for a sixth and final time? Well, there are PLENTY of reasons. First off, Cathy, herself, is just as clever, charming and bouncy as always. Her Tony Nominated performance as Peter is hard to top and as we've known for over ten years she gives Mary Martin an absolute run for her money. Her voice is in tip top shape here, as is the rest of her. Personally, I think she sounds better today than she did in 97 if not quite as clear of a sound quality that you'll get on the DVD, though, but that's a given. Little things have been added here and there to make her seem even more boyish than she's been in the past and she's still as graceful as ever in the air. Her blocking for act one has been revised slightly and we find Peter, now, even more preoccupied during his conversations with Wendy than ever!

Howard McGillan as Captain Hook, however, did leave a little more to be desired from me, as I've grown quite accustomed to the dead on perfect performance given by Paul Schoffler on the DVD. As is the case with most of the ensemble. They just don't quite live up to their 2000 DVD counterparts. Obvious exceptions include Elisa Sagardia and Danna Solimando who are just as charming as ever. But even Greyson Spann as Michael was not willing to get up and dance during the "Ugh-A-Wug" dance sequence as Drake English does so effortlessly on the 2000 DVD release. Tinker-Bell too does need to be reimagined if she wants to shine bright on Broadway. She looked, tonight, more like a kaleidoscope image than anything else. The song "Wendy" has been shortened just a smidge to act as more of a segway into the always delightful "I Won't Grow Up!", Peter and the boys' ode to youth and joy and liberty.

There have been some changes made to Neverland that do still make this a show not to miss. Even though the overture has been shortened, which should be a sin(!), but nonetheless ... dialogue that is in the licensed version of the script, yet cut from the DVD has been restored here including Michael's whole medicine debate at the top of act one and a hilarious moment between Smee and Wendy near the end of act two. And of course the Marooner's Rock sequence is worth the price of admission alone. As is the "Ugh-A-Wug" drum and stick dance that was spot on tonight and revised to be free of any offensive material that may bring to mind "I'm An Indian Too" from Annie Get Your Gun.

The lighting is back to being more theatrical than what was aired on A&E and the sets have been added to, just a bit, in some places with an additional drop for the nursery window to reveal more buildings across the way up there on the fourth floor instead of just stars. I do a lot of complaining when it comes to sets for national tours, but nothing to complain about here. The revised McCoy/Rigby script is even closer to the original novel than the original Broadway production was. The prologue does indeed begin with the "Stars are beautiful..." speech which begins the novel, and everything here just seems to be more sentimental and heartwarming than past tours. The additional window sequence is also very touching and adds so much to the piece. Even though we still are not able to decide what happens to Tinker-Bell after act two...

With three acts and two intermissions it may not be a good idea to bring the under five crowd. There is a fifteen minute intermission following the "I'm Flying" number and a five minute intermission prior to the scene on the Jolly Roger. But for everyone willing to believe in fairies and never grow up you may not want to miss your last chance to do so...

I did get to meet Cathy Rigby at the stage door and it was very exciting. Between my praise and my nervousness I was able to congratulate her on her farewell tour and wish her the best of luck on Broadway. I also got a signed playbill from Cathy wishing me all the best, as well. How can you top that?

CATHY RIGBY is PETER PAN continues to run at The San Diego Civic Theatre through October 17th and is of course headed to Broadway for the 2005 season. Don't miss out. Updated On: 10/16/04 at 03:50 AM

[Phantom487]

Posted: 10/16/04 at 11:56am

I just wish they'd put "Oh My Mysterious Lady" back in........

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 10/16/04 at 12:19pm

WHAT?!> Mysterious Lady is the WORSE song in the show! It served no point more than to show that Mary Martin was a soprano..

[BwayTheatre11]

Posted: 10/16/04 at 1:23pm

Amazing review, CATS! It was very well written.

With all of these great reviews of this farewell tour, I am getting very excited to see this show in Cleveland when it rolls around here in May, I think. I have never seen ANY musical theatre production of Peter Pan. Well, I guess I have never seen the whole Disney movie, either. I think I am going to invite my friend who is about the same age as Cathy, say height, same color hair...in other words, looks just the same. She adores this production and Cathy.

OH MY GOD. LOL. I just realized that her name is Kathy. Wow.

[Nickidance12292]

Posted: 10/16/04 at 3:46pm

I saw the show w/ Cathy Rigby when I was like 6 or 7. I will NEVER forget it. I saw all the strings and stuff, but, just like Cats, there was and always be something magical about it. My grandpa taped it when it was on A&E, and when I watch it today, I can still feel the same feeling as I felt when i was in the audience. I really loved the part when the audience has to clap. It really gets the audience involved. I like the part when they bow, because after Cathy bowed, she flew into the audience and threw Pixie Dust. I catched some too, yay! I was also suprised that no one in the audience went flying into the air, lol! I really want to see it again, maybe I can when it comes to Broadway! The excitment is killing me!
~*~Nicki~*~

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 10/17/04 at 2:58pm

Yes, I had seen one of her first tours, too. I just remember having so much fun. It's a great show for kids, but adults also because it brings back so many good memories.

And "Mysterious Lady" is a big no, no for any production of PETER PAN today. Like BroadwayGuy2 said it did nothing but show that Mary Martin was a soprano, and if they were to put it back for this production it would have to take place during the Marooner's Rock scene which would not work at all. I would, however, be all for putting "It's What You Believe In" back in. It's on the PETER PAN compialation CD. I think it was cut prior to the original Broadway run. I dunno... it seems like it would be a great song to sing before Wendy finally leaves Neverland. Updated On: 10/17/04 at 02:58 PM