Cathy Rigby has been the definitive Peter Pan ever since the Olympic champion gymnast turned her sights on musical theater in 1974. As the boy who won’t grow up, she has flown across the stage hundreds of times, earning Tony Award nominations as best leading actress in a musical and best revival of a musical. She now returns in a new production that belies her decision five years ago to shout her last hurrah in “Neverland.” The show arrives at Wolf Trap Thursday, then will make its way across the country, pausing to enhance Broadway’s holiday season.
“The role is like an old friend,” Rigby said. “I had just come off ‘Steel Magnolias’ and missed it so much I decided to do it again. I’ve never felt this happy and excited. Each production has brought in new audiences who keep coming back, but this one is especially exciting because of the new sets and costumes and wonderful scenic design.”
| Onstage |
| ‘Peter Pan’ |
| Where: Wolf Trap Filene Center |
| When: 8 p.m. Thursday to Sunday, 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday |
| Info: $40 to $80 house, $20 to 25 lawn; 877-965-3872; wolftrap.org or tickets.com |
Rigby is a ball of energy that transfers to all who work with her. Over the years, she has played many of theater’s favorite musical heroines in such hits as “The Wizard of Oz,” “Annie Get Your Gun,” “South Pacific” and “The Unsinkable Molly Brown.” She also has collected television credits and headlined in Las Vegas. Along the way, she and her husband established the McCoy Rigby Series at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts in California, where their theatrical productions are a community highlight. It serves as a center where children receive training in voice, acting, dance and other theatrical skills.
“I’m up for anything,” said Rigby, mother of four and grandmother of two, who will celebrate her 60th birthday on the road. “From among the 600 little kids we teach, several auditioned for the show and were chosen without anyone knowing that they trained with us.
“Kids get great joy from performing. Not long ago, we put on a production of ‘Annie’ with underprivileged children. One little girl was trembling when she opened her mouth to sing. She had a beautiful voice and by the time she overcame her shyness and nervousness, she knocked ’em dead. Opportunities like that change lives. We also present discovery arts at hospitals. It’s priceless to see kids forget themselves and gain confidence through the arts.”
Rigby also gives motivational talks about maintaining good health and flexibility for a lifetime to women all over the country. Women, she believes, often doubt themselves. Many would not have thought it possible to set goals and challenge themselves to work harder until they succeed and realize that they are not over the hill.
“I always tell myself that I can be better and smarter,” Rigby said. “You must not put limits on what you’re capable of doing. I love hanging out with my grandkids and hearing how proud they are when they tell others, ‘My grandmother is Peter Pan.’ ”
