Tony Award nominee Cathy Rigby stars in this dazzling new, state-of-the-art production that tells the story of a boy who refuses to grow up. Capturing all of the timeless charm and enchantment of the long-running smash hit Broadway musical, Peter Pan transports your entire family like never before into J.M. Barrie's beloved adventure of lost boys, Indian maidens and pirate rogues. The richly scored music, performed by the National Symphony Orchestra of England sparkles with such musical favorites as "I'm Flying", "I Won't Grow Up", "Ugg-a-Wugg", and so much more! This engaging story is the perfect way to introduce a whole new generation to the magic of Broadway and to one of the most treasured family classics of all time.

Filmed for a special A&E presentation, an all-new Broadway musical production of one of the most beloved tales of all time, PETER PAN. Starring Tony Award nominee and Olympic gymnast Cathy Rigby and featuring performances of suchics as "I'm Flying," "I Won't Grow," and "I Gotta Crow." Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: CHILDREN Rating: NR Age: 82956704

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The Tony Award nominee and Olympic gymnast plays the role of Peter with an English accent and "boyish" ways that are just delightful. Miss Rigby's rich trained singing voice will definitely surprise you. Paul Schoeffler's shenanigans as Captain Hook is hilarious. The singing and dancing the pirates and Indians do is just awesome! Watching the extended dancing in the "Ugh-A-Wug" song was breathtaking. There's even an added scene not in the 60's version. And, of course, the flying is out of this world!

14 of 14 found the following review helpful:

the classic musical flies again!Jul 08, 2002
By Byron Kolln
The classic Broadway and television musical PETER PAN has come back to life thanks to acclaimed gymnast and Broadway star Cathy Rigby, who has made the role her own in several Broadway incarnations and national tours over the last decade.

Cathy Rigby's PETER PAN maintains the spirit and integrity of the much-loved Mary Martin version but adds a few modern touches to keep in step with theatregoers. Choreographer Patti Colombo offers a breathtaking new STOMP-like spin to the "Ugg-A-Wugg" musical number, and takes advantage of Rigby's history as an Olympic gymnast in the "I'm Flying" ballet.

Filmed before a live audience during a performance at the La Mirada Theatre, this new PETER PAN features an impressive supporting cast headed by Paul Schoeffler in the traditional dual-roles of Mr Darling and Captain Hook. Elisa Sagardia plays a delightful Wendy and Barbara McCulloh is a touching Mrs Darling as well as a cunning Mermaid in the Marooner's Rock scene.

Dana Solimando plays both maid Liza as well as Tiger Lily (which sadly means the omission of "Liza's Ballet" which was a highlight in the Mary Martin version). Aileen Quinn (who played the title role in the film version of ANNIE as well as the Canon MovieTales version of THE FROG PRINCE) makes a welcome appearance as Lost Boy Tootles. Drake English and Barry Cavanagh play Wendy's younger siblings John and Michael.

This is a thrilling production with superb theatrical values. It should be a mandatory DVD in any Broadway-lovers collection.

The DVD includes backstage footage and sing-along supplements.

15 of 16 found the following review helpful:

Former Olympic gymnast is just wonderful as Peter Pan!Nov 01, 2000

Cathy Rigby as Peter Pan? Who would have thought! As it turns out, this former Olympic gymnast is just wonderful! According to her bio, after her gymnastic career was over she studied acting, singing and dancing. Well it paid off! Overall, I think she is the best actress to play Peter so far! It's no wonder she was nominated for a Tony award for "best actress in a musical" in this role. Although her singing voice isn't as good as Mary Martin's, her voice is trained and very pleasant to listen to. Her acting is superb. I get the sense she created her rendition of Peter from the James Barrie book not from watching the Mary Martin video. She plays him very boyish. And, true to the book, sometimes cocky and rude but still lovable. At 47 years old her athletic abilities are still prominent and the flying sequences have taken on new heights as Cathy even flies with vertical flips! Paul Schoeffler, who plays the father and Captain Hook, is a very good actor and singer and his portrayal of Captain Hook is strong and powerful. The actor who plays Smee is funny and they are hilarious together. The Darling children are very well cast with the actress playing Wendy doing a wonderful job being smitten with Peter. The choreographer has done a great job! The dancing the lost boys, pirates and Indians do is exciting and fun to watch. My only complaints are technical ones. Why wasn't this shot in a wide screen version? (After all, it's a stage show and there's a lot to see.) Why are there some close ups when there should be wider shots? Why aren't the voices prominent in the center speaker on the DVD Dolby 5.1 Digital version? Even with those things, I highly recommend this version of Peter Pan. I understand why this production was nominated for a Tony award for "Best Revival of a Musical". Enjoy!

8 of 8 found the following review helpful:

Disappointed I'd SayOct 17, 2000
By J. Derych "4thebears"
After seeing this edition of Peter Pan on Broadway, I was quite excited over the fact that it had come out in video form. My excitement diminshed as I began to watch the show. Though I will rate the performance 4 stars, I would rate the editing of the performance for videotape 2 stars. Whoever edited the tape gets a failing grade. Too many times you can clearly see that Ms. Rigby is lip synching the songs. Though this might make for a better tape, there are times when you hear her voice but her mouth has stopped moving. The biggest disappointment was the fact that the video version did not have the sequence showing when the Darling nursery stage set "breaks apart", and the stage is transformed into a vision of a star filled night as Peter Pan and the children fly off to NeverLand. Seeing this live on Broadway only builds ones excitement. Not seeing it on the video makes me feel short changed.

8 of 9 found the following review helpful:

a disappointment!Dec 22, 2005
By a theatre student!
I must agree with a few others on here that I was disappointed with this version of 'Peter Pan'.

PROS:

-Cathy Rigby's skill as an olympic gymnast really gave Peter a great element of athleticism. Great voice and fun actress.

-Scenic design and set design all really nicely done, a bit predictable, but predictable is what an audience wants to see when they to to a production of 'Peter Pan'

CONS:

-The cuts! Like others have said, this production is totally rushed and they made some weird cuts.

-The face value acting doesn't go deep enough into the characters. While all these performers are skilled individuals, I was not impressed with their acting. However, this could be partially the fault of the director as well.

-The lip synching was a huuuuuuge disappointment!

-I don't understand what the deal is with the adults playing lost boys. Yes, adult performers can often perform more sophisticated choreography, but a certain nostalgia and innocence is brought to the production when actual kids are invovled.

With all that said, I think that kids would love this video. However, as a musical theatre student there are several shortcomings to this production overall. Nice musical, so-so interpretation. :)

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