In her farewell performance as Peter Pan, Tony Award nominee and two-time Olympic Gymnast CATHY RIGBY takes flight in the 100 th Anniversary of the immortal James M. Barrie tale, PETER PAN. This timeless musical masterpiece flies into TPAC’s Jackson Hall for eight performances only, June 14-19.
CATHY RIGBY’s name is synonymous with PETER PAN, having played the part on Broadway (Tony Award nomination), on a major national tour in the 1990-91 season, in the revival in 1998 and in the Emmy Award-winning A&E Special, for which she received critical acclaim. The Los Angeles Times proclaimed, “CATHY RIGBY perfectly personifies PETER PAN in this remarkably re-imagined production,” while the Boston Globe declared, “CATHY RIGBY is remarkably talented … she sings wonderfully, with precision, with range, with style … she is irresistible. Rigby will lift you out of your seat!” The Seattle Times heralded “With its wonderful cast, crackerjack stagecraft and robust choreography, the show leaps off the stage and into the heart!”
“PETER PAN is the perfect way to end this year’s Broadway season,” said Brent Hyams, TPAC’s director of marketing, “providing the entire family an opportunity to see the classic, exciting and heartwarming story translated magically onstage. CATHY RIGBY’s farewell performance is sure to steal our hearts once again—a wonderful commemoration of PETER PAN’s 100 th Anniversary.”
CATHY RIGBY is no stranger to the stage. She made her professional debut as ‘Dorothy’ in The Wizard of Oz twenty-one years ago. Since that debut, she has starred in the national tour of Annie Get Your Gun, Meet Me in St. Louis , Paint Your Wagon and They’re Playing Our Song. Most recently, audiences were treated to her whimsical performance as the ‘Cat in the Hat’ in Seussical both on Broadway and on tour. However, PETER PAN remains Cathy’s favorite. “One of the greatest gifts of my theatrical career has been the opportunity to play ‘Peter Pan.’ The thrill of seeing the faces of children as I fly over their heads sprinkling fairy dust and having the chance (eight times a week) to relive the adventure of a perfect ‘make believe’ childhood.” Her greatest joy is the reaction, letters and e-mails that she receives from countless children and adults alike.
HOWARD McGILLIN (Hook) has worked extensively in the theatre, starring roles include his record setting performance as the title role in The Phantom of the Opera. Other title roles include Mack and Mabel, Kiss of the Spider Woman, TheSecret Garden and She Loves Me. He has appeared in numerous movies, miniseries and movies for television and can be heard on books on tape and his solo CD, Howard McGillin: Where Time Stands Still .
ELISA SAGARDIA (Wendy) returns to the role she performed on Broadway, the national tour and the A&E television production. Other cast members include Tracy Lore (Mrs. Darling, Grown up Wendy), Patrick Richwood (Mr. Smee), Lauren Masiello (Tiger Lily), Gavin Leatherwood (John Darling) Shawn Moriah Sullivan (Michael Darling) and Jordan Bass, Omar D. Brancato, Janet Higgins, Ryan Mason, Theresa McCoy, Lindsay Nickerson, Nathan Balser, Tim Fournier, Suzanne Guyot, Seth Hampton, Michael G. Hawkins, Tiffany Helland, Rod Roberts, Tony Spinosa, Luis Villabon, and John B. Williford.
Based on several chapters that appeared in James M. Barrie’s 1902 novel, The Little White Bird, the play PETER PAN was first performed in London in 1904. The present musical comedy version of Barrie ’s classic first appeared in 1954 starring Mary Martin and Cyril Ritchard in the leading roles.
PETER PAN recounts the adventures of the three Darling children as they fly away from their nursery into the magic and wonder of Neverland. It is in Neverland that they encounter the cunning and evil Captain Hook, villainous pirates, a crafty crocodile and a sprightly fairy, Tinker Bell.
The score, a joint effort by Moose Charlap, Carolyn Leigh, Jule Styne and Betty Comden and Adolph Green remains a favorite of children and adults alike. PETER PAN features such classics as “I Gotta Crow,” “Neverland” and “I’m Flying.”
This all new production will be staged by Glenn Casale, a multi-Drama Logue and LA Critics’ Award winner. The choreographer is Patti Colombo and Craig Barna is the musical director. The Emmy Award-winning set design is by John Iacovelli, Shigeru Yaji designed the costumes and Tom Ruzika designed the lighting. Flying sequences are designed by Paul Rubin.
Producers of this all new production are: McCoy Rigby Entertainment, The Nederlander Organization and LaMirada Theatre for the Performing Arts in association with Albert Nocciolino, Larry Payton, J. Lynn Singleton and Bronsand Music, Inc.
Tickets for PETER PAN are scaled from $19-68, depending upon performance times and seat locations. For tickets, visit the TPAC Box Office (Downtown or at Davis-Kidd Booksellers in Green Hills) , online at www.tpac.org, or any Ticketmaster outlet. Tickets may also be purchased by calling Ticketmaster at 615/255-ARTS (2787). For information on offers for groups of 20 or more, call TPAC Group Sales at 615/782-4060.
The Kids’ Night on Broadway performance will be Tuesday, June 14 at 7:30 p.m. , with activities for young people in Jackson Lobby beginning at 6:00 p.m. On Wednesday, June 15, from 3:30 – 6:00 p.m., TPAC and PETER PAN will present an interactive workshop for all ages, “You’re Flying,” featuring special guest speakers and Broadway teaching artists, where participants can learn songs and dances from the show, perform original material written on the themes and issues in PETER PAN, ask questions of the PETER PAN cast, and win a private visit backstage. For more information or tickets, call (212) 220-6000 or visit www.studentslive.org.
The HCA/TriStar Broadway in Nashville at TPAC Series is sponsored by Am eric an Airlines, Cadillac, Coca-Cola and The Hermitage Hotel. Show sponsors for PETER PAN are WJXA Mix 92.9, WSMV Channel 4 News and The Tennessean.
The Tennessee Performing Arts Center is a private, non-profit corporation dedicated to providing and supporting the presentation of the performing arts to the citizens of Tennessee. Its four stages are home to Broadway in Nashville at TPAC, Nashville Ballet, Nashville Opera, The Nashville Symphony, Tennessee Repertory Theatre and a variety of special engagements. TPAC administers one of the largest and most comprehensive arts-in-education programs in the United States, offering learning opportunities for children and adults. The organization has served more than 1.3 million students from pre-school to high school over the past two decades. For more information, visit the web site www.tpac.org.