Jule Styne, Cathy Rigby - Peter Pan (1997 Studio Cast)

Mary Martin created Broadway's most famous "trousers" role in the original 1954 cast of Peter Pan, but former Olympic gymnast Cathy Rigby has proven to be a worthy successor. She earned a Tony nomination for the 1991 revival, has toured extensively, and starred in the 2000 video production. While the classic J.M. Barrie story of the boy who wouldn't grow up has seen many musical treatments (including Leonard Bernstein in 1950 and Disney in 1953), this version is probably the best known, with such Moose Charlap-Carolyn Leigh songs as "I Gotta Crow," "Tender Shepherd," "I'm Flying," and "I Won't Grow Up," plus some additional material by Jule Styne and Betty Comden and Adolph Green (most notably "Neverland"). It's a charming family show well represented in this 1997 recording featuring Rigby along with Elisa Sagardia (Wendy) and Paul Shoeffler (Hook). --David Horiuchi Amazon.com

Peter Pan Flying High

My daughter is playing Wendy in a community youth theater production of Peter Pan. She has been singing along with the CD ever since we received it in the mail. Wonderful sound quality. March 2, 2006

Great revival to the Original

Ever since I saw Cathy Rigby play Peter Pan in the 1997 production I was like Holy crap she plays this role very well!
The production on this CD is very well done! Unlike Mary Martin's CD! Mary Martin's CD is the worst Peter Pan CD I've ever heard! Cathy Rigby on the other hand she beats Mary Martin's production by a huge landslide! They also add parts of the play into the CD which makes the CD even more exciting! I saw Cathy Rigby on her final tour of Peter Pan and she was so amazing! Cathy Rigby Rules!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! March 13, 2005

Cathy Rigby Is Peter Pan

Cathy Rigby is a very good Peter Pan. Her recording surpasses Mary Martin's by a landslide! Her voice is very good on this recording. She also has a DVD out for her production of Peter Pan. Cathy Rigby Rules December 19, 2004

excellent studio recording of PETER PAN

This 1997 studio cast album of PETER PAN is a fine testament to this magical musical. Cathy Rigby, star of various Broadway runs and national tours of the show, gives thrilling voice to the title character, and is joined by a first-rate supporting cast.

Paul Schoeffler, also a veteran of the Broadway/national tour, is a great Captain Hook, especially during "Hook's Waltz" and "Hook's Tango". Traditionally, he also portrays the bombastic Mr Darling.

Elisa Sagardia is, like Rigby and Schoeffler, reprising her role of Wendy from the Broadway/national tour. She gives a lovely weight to "Tender Shepherd" and "Distant Melody". She also has a great voice.

Rounding out the cast are Susan Lamontagne as Tiger Lily, Lee Honey-Jones as John, Myles Anderson as Michael, Helen Hobson as Mrs Darling, Anne McVey as Liza, Susan Dale as Jane, Julian Forsythe as Smee and Jenny Agutter as the Narrator. [CDJAY 1280] January 21, 2004

A great revival

Forty some ye3ars ago I saw Peter Pan on its premier performance on television. I bought the record with Mary Martin and I have loved it. I have to say that the Cathy Rigby recording is even better. Cathy beings a youthful presence in her songs. The recording itself is technologically better. The recording includes bits from the play not on the original. And the whole recoding seems to have a life the original does not have. "I'm Flying" is exhilerating. "Once Upon a Time Long Ago" has a more haunting ache. The timing of the songs is different, but not worse than the original. Ms. Rigby is not trying to copy Ms. Martin. Which means for Peter Pan lovers there are two distinctive performances to appreciate. I wish I could see Ms. Rigby on stage. I saw Sandy Duncan some years ago and she was good. This is a great recording. December 31, 2000

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