Priest's Review of Rigby's Latest 'Peter Pan'

[StickToPriest]

Posted: 6/3/05 at 7:08pm

Saw it this past Wednesday at the Music Hall here in Dallas.

Peter Pan has always been a tricky show. It has a great score, but the book has always been a slight problem that is not helped by the fact that there is a second (and awkward) intermission. While the production is usually able to fix the lulls in the book, this production, through trying to cover them, tends to worsen the dragging.

Nonetheless, it's still a highly enjoyable show. All the kids in the audience were squealing with delight and anitcipation and excitement for much of the show, and, after all, this is a show for kids.

And, I have to admit, I got way too excited and happy every time Rigby would soar across the stage.

Cathy Rigby is mostly strong. She excells at being a boy. More than excells. I was truly amazed at how well she pulls it off from physical mannerisms to vocal inflictions. It was truly astonishing. And she pulls off all sorts of excting gymnastic feats, both on the ground and in the air. The entire 'I'm Flying' sequence was, perhaps, the highlight of the show just because of the squeals of delight from the audience as she dazzled them with her air-borne antics.

Rigby amazes in every aspect except for her singing. She's not bad by any means, but her voice at times falters and much of the show her diction while singing was downright atrocious. And maybe I'm a bit anal-retentive about this, but during "Neverland" and the reprise at the end of the show, at the end of the songs, she takes some really distrcting breaths.
NE *Breath* VER *Breath* NE-VER *BIG Breath* LAAAAanndd
And, her vocal inabilities were further shown in the faltering final note.

But, you know what, after re-reading that, who cares? She played the part so well in every other aspect and not everyone can be Mary Martin.

I was very excited to see Howard McGillin, but found the casting slightly odd. He still has a gorgeous voice and uses it well here, but I just never warmed to his characterization of Hook. He just wasn't unlikeable enough or evil enough. But all of his singing was first-rate.

The rest of the cast was fine. No one excpetional, but no one awful either, except maybe Tiger Lily. Great dancer, passable singer, terrible actress.

During the 'Ugg-a-Wug' number, they expanded the dance section in a highly sucessful way. Using all sorts of drums and sticks they go into a Blast! or Stomp inspired dance break that was extremely entertaining.

The sets are all great, but it is distracting when some of the scenes take place in front of a backdrop in order for them to change the massive sets.

As said earlier, towards the end of the show when it was dragging on a bit too long, much of the audience seemed like they enjoyed it, but were ready to go. Then, for the curtain call, Rigby flies out over the audience doing all sorts of tricks. And then we were reminded what makes Peter Pan such a magical experience in the first place. Revisting the joy and imagination of childhood.

Posted: 6/3/05 at 7:12pm

Great review. Thank you Priest.

[BwayTheatre11]

Posted: 6/3/05 at 11:13pm

Paul and Randy (fly guys) have one heck of a workout during "I'm Flying"! I was lucky enough to watch them backstage. SUCH A WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE THAT I WILL NEVER FORGET.

[BwayTheatre11]

Posted: 6/3/05 at 11:16pm

I am glad you got to experience the audience flight. Isn't the Music Hall outside? If so, that would be very cool. Paul was not able to do the audience flight in Cleveland because of the historic theatre...he cannot alter the theatre in any way. Which explains why Phantom had to play at the Allen Theate (chandelier). That is just as historic...hmmm.

[BwayTheatre11]

Posted: 6/3/05 at 11:21pm

One more thing...I don't feel like editing my posts.

Did you notic that the nursery walls are scrims? I thought that was so neat!

[loganp37]

Posted: 6/3/05 at 11:30pm

Great review! I can't wait to see this show in Nashville later this month. I have been looking forward to this show this whole season.

[sanda]

Posted: 6/3/05 at 11:44pm

Thank you Priest. Peter Pan will come to my place next month. I did not plan to see it. But after reading your review, I may give a try.

[StickToPriest]

Posted: 6/4/05 at 1:31am

"Isn't the Music Hall outside?"
No. It isn't.

"Did you notic that the nursery walls are scrims?"
I did. The entire set was very cool.

[Thenardier]

Posted: 6/4/05 at 1:38am

Howard McGillin?

Isn't he the phantom I saw....damn....

[StickToPriest]

Posted: 6/4/05 at 1:39am

Yeah, he has played the Phantom, I think, in more performances than any other actor. Hugh Panaro may be first, but they are pretty close.

[Thenardier]

Posted: 6/4/05 at 1:45am

Yeah, he was my first, Hugh was my second.

Hated the show the first time, Loved it the second.

Cyril Ritchard will always be Hook to me...but he WAS my only...

[CapnHook]

Posted: 6/4/05 at 1:50am

PETER PAN still delights 100 years and counting.

[Thenardier]

Posted: 6/4/05 at 1:52am

I have had the VHS tape of Peter Pan for my whole life - I think I got it on like the day I was born....I have yet to buy the CD with Mary Martin....

[CapnHook]

Posted: 6/4/05 at 2:02am

The VHS and DVD of Mary Martin's PETER PAN are now out of print. eBay is your only hope. Amazon sometimes has them.

The Soundtrack (yes, the SOUNDTRACK) to the 1960 televised production is readily available in stores - especially Barnes & Noble. The Cast Recording is rare.