Flying High with Peter Pan
Cathy Rigby says goodbye to the signature role that earned her a Tony nomination in 1991. With a rare combination of acting and physical ability, Rigby has been wowing Broadway audiences since she debuted as Dorothy in the 1981 production of The Wizard of Oz. She, recently spoke with CityInfo’s Corine Cohen about her multi-faceted career and, her family and bidding a final farewell to Peter Pan.
photos by Craig Schwartz
Corine Cohen: Congratulations on being the first American woman
to win a medal in the World’s Gymnastics competition and
on winning 12 international medals. How did that feel?
Cathy Rigby: It felt wonderful! When you invest so much time and
energy it feels patriotic!
Corine: How old where you when you won your first medal?
Cathy: I was 15 at my first Olympics.
Corine: That is remarkable and inspiring! What is it like to
fly?
Cathy: Flying is like riding a ride in an amusement park or fair.
But instead of being on a roller coaster or Tilt-A-Whirl you are
attached to a wire the thickness of a pencil head. It is very
demanding physically and very exciting at the same time. You have
to stay in top shape and have great flyers. Thank God- I have
brilliant flyers. We all have to be aware of each others movement
at all times. It is like Cirque Du Soleil, -- gymnastics have
helped me with this role.
Corine: You make it look like it is and very natural. It looks
like so much fun.
Cathy: It is a lot of fun and hard work, but it has always been
worth it.
Corine: I bet. What is your favorite part of Peter Pan?
Cathy: I love the entire show. I get to act like a child and never
grow up, which is a lot of fun.
Corine: That is great. I hear this is your “farewell tour”.
What do you want to do next?
Cathy: I want to continue acting.
Corine: If you could be in any show on Broadway, what would
you pick and why?
Cathy: That is easy. Sylvia. I would want to play the dog, Sylvia
as it is the sweetest show.
Corine: Didn’t Sarah Jessica Parker play her a few years
ago?
Cathy: Yes. She was wonderful. I would love to play that part.
I love dogs!
Corine: What are your dogs' names?
Cathy: I have three dogs. Emma is my Maltese and she travels with
me. I also have a Springer Spaniel named Scout and my husband’s
dog is named Brownie.
Corine: I also heard you have four children. How old are they?
Cathy: I have two girls: Theresa, 22, and Kaitlin,20, and two
boys Ryan, 25, and Buck, 30.
Corine: Wow, four children and three dogs. You have some family!
Congratulations on being married for 22 years. You are a lucky
woman.
Cathy: I am. My children have all performed in the theater. Theresa
is currently in the tour. She plays a Lost Boy and is Wendy’s
understudy and Jane at the end.
Corine: That is really sweet. It must be fun to perform with
your children.
Cathy: It is!
Corine: Who do you admire most?
Cathy: My Mom. She is the greatest American. She raised five kids
with polio and in a wheelchair. It was rather difficult and she
never complained. Her family lost everything and her brother was
killed in World War 2. She is one of the most amazing women I
know. I also have to say I admire my darling husband.
Corine: How sweet. Is he Mr. Darling? (Laughs)
Cathy: (Laughing) No. He is darling but he is better than Mr.
Darling. He is not whiny like Mr. Darling!
Corine: Funny!
Cathy: He works very hard and is very charming -- which is great
after almost 24 years of marriage?
Corine: Congratulations. What are 5 things you love about New
York?
Cathy: 1. The Energy. New York is so vital and alive
2. The food....-
Corine: What is your favorite kind of food?
Cathy: It really doesn’t matter. But, I love French, Mexican
and Greek!
Corine: Do you have a favorite restaurant when you are in NYC?
Cathy: I love Joe Allen! (326 W. 46th St. Tel: 212-581-6464)
Corine: What else do you love about NYC?
Cathy: I love that you can walk. I live in California and you
have to drive everywhere.
CATHY RIGBY IS PETER PAN
This month only through December 30 don’t miss your last chance to see Cathy Rigby as Peter Pan. Tickets are available for $35-$99.
For show schedules and to purchase tickets call TicketMaster at
212-307-7171.
The Theater at Madison Square Garden
4 Pennsylvania Plaza
7th Ave. between 31st & 33rd Sts.
Tel: 212-465-MSG1
Corine Dana Cohen wrote this interview for the December issue of City Info Magazine.
For more info regarding City Info go to:
Corine Dana Cohen, Associate Producer of the Drama Desk Awards,
works as a freelance writer.
Interview conducted by Corine Cohen
