Graham: Peter Pan was first presented on stage in 1904 on the Duke of York’s Theatre in London, making the staged production more than 100 years old. How does it feel to be carrying the torch of Peter Pan into its second century of existence?
Cathy: It's an honor and privilege to be able to carry on a family "memory making tradition" that has been going on for over 100 years. Everyone knows the story of Peter Pan....so many of the people I meet after the show talk of their own memories of seeing the show for the first time...wanting to fly to Neverland with Peter and the lost boys...Captain Hook ...Wendy, Michael and John, Tiger Lily and, of course, the pirates and Indians. Now they share those magical memories with their own children or grandchildren. The adults become transformed to children and the children just seem to believe in all the magic and adventure.
Graham: I believe there are four movie adaptations of the play. Peter Pan in 1924, 1953’s Disney film, Spielberg’s Hook in 1992, and P.J. Hogan’s Peter Pan in 2003. All are VERY different. Which is your favorite and why?
Cathy: I especially loved the boy who played Peter Pan's son in Hook. His performance was understated, funny, and very poignant and of course, Robin Williams IS Peter Pan!
Graham: Do you think you were born to play this role, or did you grow into it over time? What I really mean is, have you always been a little girl that refuses to grow up?
Cathy: I do think this role is one I was meant to play...not just for the physical aspect but also because I feel my childhood held many of the challenges and adventures that the play addresses.
Everything from the isolation and loneliness to believing I could do anything...the mischief and the fearlessness.
Graham: You’ve only been out to Wolf Trap one time before to perform this role, and that was 2005. To help us celebrate our 40th anniversary year, do you have any special memories from your time here that you’d be willing to share?
Cathy: I love performing Peter Pan in this amazing outdoor theater...with the trees and open sky I feel as if I'm in Kensington Gardens and the fairies are hiding under the flora and fauna...I feel as if I'm in Neverland.
Here's a video interview with Cathy on Fox5 DC this morning.
I have been looking forward to seeing Cathy Rigby play Peter Pan for a long time. I am delighted to be sharing this experience with my two children and my mother. We have watched the recorded PBS version hundreds of times. It was the first real book I read to my son, and we read it to this day. I am about to have my 3rd child and hope to be able to take him one day too! Keep it up Cathy!! You ARE Peter Pan!!
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen Cathy since we were at college together. I have done community theater as flymaster for Michael, but seeing it from the audience side was wonderful.
ReplyDeleteMy father and Cathy Rigby's mother Anita were childhood friends. I have a picture of the two of them when they were about 3. If you read this Cathy please send me an email at Grandden425@aol.com. I would love to see you with my Grandchildren when you come to New York to play Peter. Your mother sent my father and autographed picture of you, back in the 90's. I was happy to receive it. Your mother new him as Bobbie. I hope to here from you.
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