A number of talented women have played the title role in the musical version of J. M. Barrie's "Peter Pan."
Mary Martin, Sandy Duncan and, over in San Bernardino, Ruta Lee are names that come to mind. All were excellent -- charming, gifted singers, remarkable fliers and highly likable.
But with all of them you were always aware that this was not a real little boy out there on the stage, it was a woman posing as a boy. You weren't expected to suspend disbelief that much.
Now we have Cathy Rigby at the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood playing the little boy who doesn't want ever to grow up, and by golly, when she comes flying through the window into the Darling home you think, "Why, that is a little boy."
Partly, I suppose, it's her diminutive stature and the small boy haircut that aid in the illusion, but more than that, it's the genuine boyish spirit Rigby exudes that make her the most convincing Peter yet to don that flying apparatus and soar out over the audience.
Her strong, sure singing voice and her bodily grace from her days as an Olympic gymnast help make for a completely endearing performance.
Paul Schoeffler is comically brusque as Mr. Darling and comically villainous as Captain Hook in the Pantages production. Elisa Sagardia is a charming young Wendy; Barbara McCulloh is a lovely Mrs. Darling and later grown-up Wendy; Dana Solimando is a lithe and limber Tiger Lily, and Michael Nostrand as Smee, Hook's pushed-around aide, makes a happy comic appearance at the end.
Chase Kniffen as John, Drake English as Michael and all of the lost boys, Indians and pirates contribute to a colorful ensemble, ably directed by Glenn Casale.
Solimando expertly doubles as Nana,the nursemaid dog, and the crocodile with a taste for Hook. A difference from previous productions of "Peter Pan": Instead of Flying by Foy, the flying is handled by ZFX Inc. They do a great job.
Theater Review
"Peter Pan"
Where:, Pantages Theatre, 6233 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood.
Tickets and performances: 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays-Thursdays, 8 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Sunday. Through Aug. 16. $22-$48. (213) 365-3500.
Published 8/6/1998