THE ARTS ETC
_______________________________________________________________
The Bushnell
in Hartford, Connecticut
www.bushnell.org
CATHY RIGBY
IS
PETER PAN
THE ULTIMATE FAMILY EXPERIENCE
IS CHARMING AUDIENCES
AT THE BUSHNELL CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
NOVEMBER 22-27, 2011
Discover the magic all over again
of this two-time Emmy Award winning
and two-time Tony® Award nominated production.
Director – Glenn Casale
Lyrics – Carolyn Leigh Music – Moose Charlap
Additional Lyrics – Betty Comden & Adolf Green
Additional Music – Jule Styne
Musical Director – Keith Levenson
REVIEWED BY B. K. GRANT
Peter Pan has been part of every generation since the play was first written by the character's creator, Sir James M. Barrie, in 1904. Walt Disney Studios created an animated feature film in 1953, and Mary Martin starred in the 1954 Broadway musical. That version became immortal when broadcast on television in 1955, 1956 and again in1960. In the late '70s, Sandy Duncan played the role on Broadway and on tour. Movie goers have also enjoyed portrayals by actors Robin Williams and Jeremy Sumpter. Cathy Rigby took her first Broadway bow as Peter Pan in 1990. Being a fan of Peter Pan, this reviewer was excited to experience the McCoy Rigby treatment.
Cathy Rigby is still Peter Pan.
Sitting next to a little person of about 5 years of age, I was torn between enjoying her wide-eyed reactions to the frolics on stage, or taking in (and noting) the wonderful goings-on for myself.
Act One opens in the well-appointed nursery of the socially conscious Darling residence where Mrs. Darling is busying herself with getting the children to bed. Kim Crosby is both gracious and convincing as a doting mother willing to join her husband on an evening out, but hesitant about leaving the children. Her sensitive nature and lovely voice set the mood for the evening. Also playing the part of the seductive mermaid, Ms. Crosby projects quite a different persona.
The Darling children are typically mischievous: Wendy (Krista Buccellato), John (10 year old Cade Canon Ball) and Michael (9 year old Julia Massey or 12 year old Jordyn Davis) are all wonderful and very much in character, resisting their bedtime routine with last minute thoughts and requests. Enter a frustrated Mr. Darling, bowtie clenched in an extended hand.
“It works on the bedpost…!” Mr. Darling is a somewhat disciplined father, wanting order but not quite succeeding in achieving it. Tom Hewitt nails this exasperated personality as he attempts to unwind his active children and make final preparations for the evening out. All is looking rather favorable.
That is, until Nana steals the scene!
If the shaggy fur, the lolling tongue and the lacy cap aren’t enough, Clark Roberts’ lumbering antics as Nana the dog are surely the cat’s meow. The exaggerated postures and the vocals are amazing, fully enjoyed by children and adults alike until, sadly, she is banished to the yard’s doghouse. We see Mr. Roberts later as tic tock the formidable Croc, appropriately costumed, slithering across the stage floor.
With the clever use of light and music (Michael Gilliam, lighting designer and Keith Levenson, musical director), Tinkerbelle enters the nursery, being her playful and sometimes naughty self. Peter Pan is not far behind, seeking the shadow he lost on a previous visit. Cathy Rigby’s entrance through the tall Victorian windows meets with resounding applause and cheers from the captivated viewers. Rigby’s Pan is innocent, guarded yet vulnerable and free from earthly entanglements. She flies, tumbles, sits atop door frames and the mantel, enticing the children to come to Neverland by simply “thinking lovely thoughts”. And it works, with a sprinkling of pixie dust! Thanks to the expertise and strength of Paul Rubin (flying sequence designer), James Little and Leon Lobsinger the flights are smooth and believable.
The Lost Boys of Neverland are hilariously rambunctious, unkempt and full of youthful energy. Collectively they are a great troupe, reacting to each other’s stimuli and totally engaging the audience.
In his major role for this production, Tom Hewitt is Captain Hook, visibly reveling in the part, brandishing his shiny hook and strutting about. His first appearance on stage is met with loud “Boo’s” from the many children watching. He stiffens, raises his chin and retorts with “Grow Up!" adding to our delight.
In Neverland we are also introduced to the fearful Indians, where a combination of jazz, ballet and gymnastics yields an unbelievable dance number. J. David Anderson, Seth Belliston, Jasmine Ejan, John Todd and Andrew Wilson jump, flip and never miss a step. But it is Jenna Wright as Tiger Lily who stands out in her first National tour. The lithe Indian Princess beautifully executes her moves, showing both fierce personality and serious training.
If one took advantage of the intermission to catch a few winks, the opener in Act Two is definitely an eye-popper. In the “Ugg-a-Wugg” piece, full of complicated choreography, the stage overflows with action and excitement, everyone consistently on the beat from the littlest Darling to the tallest Indian (…reviewer out of breath…watching). Kudos to those responsible (Patti Colombo, Jerome Robbins, Rod Roberts) for the exhilarating moves not only in this number, but throughout the entire production.
The unique use of the transparent curtains depicting scenery, then fading to back-lit sets, the set construction itself (the detailed nursery, the lovely underground hideaway for Peter and the boys, Hook’s pirate ship complete with crow’s nest) are the wonderful creations of John Iacovelli, Dan Sylvia, Ruth Gilmore and Michael Turner.
The costuming for Peter Pan must have been an incredible task, not to mention the wardrobe changes as the actors jump in and out of different roles. To the costumers Shigeru Yaji, Charlotte Stratton, Swant Je Tuohino, Bronwen Burton, Jennifer Hart, Mary Bergot, Conni Joslin, Julie Keen and Joe Kucharski; and to wardrobe’s Donna MacNaughton and Lorna Lombardo, hearty congratulations on a job extremely well done.
At this opening night performance, there seemed to be a problem with the PA system. When two understudies were announced, their names were garbled beyond understanding, so I may be giving pats-on-the-back to the wrong actors. There were also omissions in the program: Pirate and Indian were listed specifically but not Lost Boy. Consequently, it's impossible to give individual credit to the lost boys out of multiple possibilities, which, if we look on the bright side, authenticates that the lost boys were definitely lost. Other than these minor glitches, Peter Pan was fab!
McCoy Rigby Entertainment is a professional theater company employing members of Actors’ Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers in the United States.
The Bushnell Broadway Series is co-sponsored by Travelers and Webster Bank
McCoy Rigby Entertainment, Nederlander Presentations, Albert Nocciolino
in association with
Larry Payton, Michael Filerman, Heni Keonigsberg
and
La Mirada Theatre For The Performing Arts
The Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts
166 Capitol Avenue, Hartford, CT 06106
(860) 987-6068 (phone) (860) 987-6070 (fax)
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