Date: Fri 24-Apr-1998

Publication: Bee

Author: DONNAM

Quick Words:

Shubert-Rigby-theatre-Pan

Full Text:

(rev "Peter Pan" @Shubert)

Theatre Review--

Shubert's Latest Is Top Flight For Kids

By June April

NEW HAVEN -- First theatre experiences should be magical, and few productions

are as entrancing as Peter Pan . The musical score is as beautiful, bewitching

and meaningful as any ever written, and timeless. A pre-Broadway production is

currently at the Shubert Theatre, starring Cathy Rigby.

As the eternal (and rather chauvinistic) youth, Rigby has a unique quality for

this portrayal. The first American woman to win a medal in the World

Gymnastics competition, the two-time Olympic gymnast and holder of 12

international medals uses her more muscular form infuses Peter with a more

rough-and-tough body, able to exhibit some impressive stances. The national

touring production is being produced by Mrs Rigby and her husband, Tom McCoy.

Based on the choreography of the brilliant Jerome Robbins, award winning

choreographer Patti Colombo has put her own special mark on this production,

and it is one of the production's greatest assets!

For those of us who cut our theatrical teeth in 1954 with Mary Martin as Peter

and Cyril Ritchard as the cantankerous and calculating Captain Hook, this

production is but a shadow. Nevertheless, it is a wonderful experience and a

must for those young, and young at heart.

Another important reason to support this production is that the author of

Peter Pan , Sir James Barrie, left the copyright of this story to the Hospital

for Sick Children at Great Osmond Street in London. Thousands of young people

continue to benefit from this memorable classic, and will forever.

(Performances continue Tuesday through Sunday, with evening and matinee shows,

until May 3. The theatre is on College Street in New Haven. Call 624-1825 for

show times and ticket information.)