Monday, November 21, 2011

CATHY RIGBY AS PETER PAN IS STILL FLYING HIGH




Cathy Rigby is proud to say she’ll never grow up.  At almost sixty years of age, she is still like the trim athletic gymnast who participated in and won high scores in the U. S. Olympics from 1968 until her retirement in 1972.  As the fearless flying, ever youthful Peter Pan, she has spent two decades soaring over the crowds, crowing with pride and sprinkling fairy dust freely.

Capture the magical adventure once again as Cathy Rigby flies into Hartford’s Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts in “Peter Pan the Musical” until Sunday, November 27, with music by Mark Charlap, Jules Styne and Carolyn Leigh.  This classic tale by J. M. Barrie is stuffed with memorable moments:  front and center is a mischievous lad who refuses to leave childhood, who shepherds his crew of Lost Boys on a remote island called Neverland, a space populated by pirates, Indians, fairies and even the occasional mermaid and crocodile.

To Neverland, Peter entices Wendy Darling and her brothers John and Michael to join him on his flying adventures, for he wants Wendy to be “mother” to his tribe of orphans.  Peter has a protective fairy named Tinker Bell who looks out for his well being, in addition to a fierce and frightening enemy named Captain Hook, who in turn has a sniveling sidekick Smee.

Once Peter spirits Wendy and her siblings out of the window of their London home, away from the guardianship of their faithful dog Nana, they are caught up in a series of special encounters that test their mettle and provide chills and thrills.

For tickets ($17-68), call the Bushnell, 166 Capitol Avenue, Hartford at 860-987-5900 or online at www.bushnell.org.  Performances are tonight at 7:30 p.m., Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.

Let the energetic and effervescent Ms. Rigby add sizzle to your Thanksgiving holiday with this wonderful family treat, one where you don’t have to worry about counting the calories.

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