Peter Pan
in Las Vegas
October 19-24, 2004

“Peter Pan” flies again with Cathy Rigby and Howard McGillin.  I am very excited Cathy Rigby and Howard
McGillin are to star in "Peter Pan" in Las Vegas.  I have heard so much about McGillin for his role in  “The
Phantom Of the Opera” on Broadway (he is reported to be the longest running actor to portray the role of the
Phantom) so I can't wait to see him as Captain Hook.  For other the complete cast list click here.   Also check out
our interview with Howard McGillin (Captain Hook).

The first time I saw the musical “Peter Pan” was on TV in a production of the starring Mary Martin.   I fell in
love with the show.  It was in black and white back then, but I still loved it the show.

Then I saw Cathy Rigby on TV do the show and thought she was very good and now she will be coming to Las
Vegas.  Here is my chance to see Tony Award-nominated Cathy Rigby in the role for her farewell performance
live again.

In the 1970s my family went to a production of "Peter Pan" starring Cathy Rigby and Will B. Able as Captain
Hook.  It was after she had retired from gymnastics.  I think it was at the Los Angeles Sports Arena back then.  
There was no set (as people sat around the arena) just the gymnastic bars for Rigby to fly as Peter Pan.  They
may have had some chairs sofa, but no walls for the show.  Rigby would fly from bar to bar to travel as Peter Pan.  
It was a fun production.  I can't remember everything about the production, except seeing Rigby do her gymnastic
routines on the bars

The musical is based on Sir James Barrie’s “Peter Pan, or the Boy who wouldn't Grow Up.”   It is also the 100th
anniversary of Barrie’s play.  It premiered in London in 1904. Credits for this musical: Lyrics by Carolyn Leigh,
additional Lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green; Music by Moose Charlap, with additional music by Jule
Stein.

The musical features such great numbers as:  "I Won't Grow Up," "I Gotta Crow," "Hook's Waltz," "Distant
Melody" and "I'm Flying."

Glenn Casale directs the 2004 tour.   Patti Colombo’s percussive 1998 choreography is being used (she won
acclaim for reinventing the Indian song, "Ugg-a-Wugg" as a primal drum dance).

“Peter Pan” is a family affair!  In this touring production Rigby is the Mother of Ryan Mason (Nana, Pirate,
Indian), Theresa McCoy (Jane, Lost Boy, Twin #2) and Kaitlin McCoy (Pirate, Indian).  She is also Mother-In-
Law to Dana Solimando (Tiger Lily).  Rigby is Sister to Jill Leatherwood (General Manager) and Jeff Rigby
(Assistant Props Coordinator), Sister-In-Law to Tom Leatherwood (Concessions), Auntie to Gavin Leatherwood
(John Darling) and wife of Tom McCoy (Producer).

“Peter Pan” should be a family affair.  I saw it with my children in the 1970s.  It is a story that has tested been
done in many forms, animated, various film versions, and stage plays/musicals.  The one thing that keeps people
coming back is the way the productions are done.  In the films it is easy to have someone fly, but on live stage it is
not easy.  

Who wouldn’t want to be “Peter Pan” and never grow up?  Fight pirates, and have fun.  We all want to use fairy
dust and take that third star on the right real life is hard.  I think that is why it has been going on for 100 years.  
Now one of the longest running actors performing the role will make her final flight!  So see the show in Las
Vegas, and fly with Cathy Rigby!  Be a kid again and fly to the theatre to see this wonderful production of “Peter
Pan!”