She can sing, she can
dance, and she can even fly. Cathy Rigby took off this past week
in the title role of SLOA's latest Broadway Series offering PETER
PAN, at the Sacramento Community Center Theater, Dec.
23-28.
Cathy Rigby is really an amazing person.
I best remember her as an Olympic gymnast, but opening night for
PETER PAN at Sacramento Light Opera Association's latest Broadway
Series offering proved she can do a lot more.
Cathy not only has a lovely voice, but
holds her own with the best that have appeared on stage in
Sacramento. Her performance as PETER PAN was a pleasant surprise
to those of us who have not seen her perform before.
Rigby earned a Tony award nomination for
Best Actress in 1991 as she starred in PETER PAN's 35th
anniversary production on Broadway and has logged a lot of flying
time since, performing the role more times than any other
actress.
She is no stranger to Sacramento
audiences either. In 1981 and 1986 she performed the role of
Dorothy in Music Circus productions of WIZARD OF OZ. The 1981
role was her first musical ever. In 1982, she appeared in MEET ME
IN ST. LOUIS. Rigby also appeared in Sacramento in the title role
of PETER PAN in 1991 on its first national tour.
Backing up Cathy Rigby on stage were
excellent performances by Elisa Sagardia (Wendy Darling), Michael
LaVolpe (John Darling), Paul Tiesler (Michael Darling), Susan
Lamontagne (Tiger Lily), Barbara McCulloh (Mrs. Darling) and Paul
Schoeffler (Mr. Darling/Captain Hook).
Sagardia was absolutely enchanting as
Wendy. She has a diverse background of experience with roles in
everything from the lead in ANNIE to FIDDLER ON THE ROOF and THE
KING AND I. LaVolpe and Tiesler played her younger siblings with
a surprising proficiency. The eight-year-old Tiesler quickly
earned a warm spot in the hearts of the audience with his
enthusiastic portrayal of the youngest Darling.
Lamontagne as Tiger Lily was a real
bright spot despite her brief appearances on stage. Her and Rigby
had a great set playing opposite sides of a drum in "Ugg-a-Wugg"
- a rhythmic production number that was probably the most
enjoyable of the show.
McCulloh was flawless as the mother of
the Darling children. She recently played Anna for over a year in
the Broadway production of THE KING AND I.
And last, but not least, Schoeffler
played a fabulous dual role as Mr. Darling and Captain Hook. He
filled both roles with charm (and delightful, but comical evil as
Hook). He has played in numerous Broadway productions, including
CYRANO and VICTOR/VICTORIA, as well as being seen as Javert in
the national tour of LES MISERABLES.
Rigby and the Darling childrens' flying
stunts around the stage helped create the fantasy of the story,
and when Peter Pan tossed the magical "fairy dust" into the air,
it sparkled and shimmered in the spotlights to create a truly
magical atmosphere.
PETER PAN was a delightful experience
that whisked the adult members of the audience back to their
childhood and held the younger members of the audience entranced
throughout.
The only bad part of a musical like this
is that it eventually had to end.
Next up for the Broadway Series is BRING
IN 'DA NOISE, BRING IN 'DA FUNK, scheduled for a Jan. 27-Feb. 1,
1998 run at the Sacramento Community Center Theater.
Tickets are now on sale. For information,
call the Broadway Series box office at (916) 557-1999.
