Fox Performing Arts Center Welcomes Cathy Rigby in PETER PAN, 6/29-7/1

Mc Coy Rigby Entertainment & Fox Operator Bill Malone of FX Arts, in association with Nederlander Presentations, Albert Nocciolino, Larry Payton, Michael Filerman and Heni Koenigsberg, bring audiences in Riverside the final production of the 2011-2012 season with the ultimate musical theatre experience for the entire family, Cathy Rigby and Brent Barrett starring in PETER PAN, a musical production of the play by Sir James Barrie, with lyrics by Carolyn Leigh, music by Moose Charlap, additional lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green and additional music by Jule Styne.

This new production is choreographed by Patti Colombo, the flying sequence choreography is by Paul Rubin, "The Fly Guy,” musical direction by Bruce Barnes and directed by Glenn Casale. PETER PAN opens on Friday, June 29, 2012, and perform for four performances only through Sunday, July 1, 2012 at the Fox Performing Arts Center, 3801 Mission Inn Avenue in Riverside.

ABOUT THE CREATIVE TEAM AND CAST:

Glenn Casale (Director) Broadway: Peter Pan starring Cathy Rigby (Tony Award nomination Best Revival). Off-Broadway: The Property Known as Garland starring Adrienne Barbeau, Dragapella (Drama Desk nomination Best Production). International: Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, Moscow, Spain and Italy). Los Angeles: The Prisoner of Second Avenue starring Jason Alexander and Gina Hecht, Wrestlers starring Mark Harmon and George Clooney, Company starring Carol Burnett. Televison: “The Faculty” starring Meredith Baxter and “The Wayans Brothers.” Glenn is on the faculty at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and the Artistic Director for California Musical Theatre, Sacramento.

Patti Colombo (Choreographer) Peter Pan on Broadway with Cathy Rigby (American Choreography, Ovation Awards); Guys and Dolls (Big League Theatricals); Backwards in High Heels (LORT Tour); On the Town (Paper Mill); Radio Gals (Pasadena—Ovation Award); Mask (world premiere/Drama-Logue Award); White Christmas (Denver); Kiss Me, Kate and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (Paper Mill/Goodspeed). Television: 100+ “Adventures in Wonderland” (Disney); Emmy nomination for “Peter Pan” (A&E). High Seas: Believe (Disney Cruises); numerous shows for Norwegian Cruises.

Bruce Barnes (Musical Direction/Conductor) Broadway: Peter Pan, Cabaret. Off Broadway: Nunsense, Peter and the Wolf, Everything the Traffic Will Allow. International Tours: West Side Story. Lincoln Center’s “Meet the Artist” Program. National Tours: Happy Days, Camelot, Kiss Me, Kate, Peter Pan, Cabaret, and Cats. Television: HBO’s “Cathouse, the Musical.” Accompanist to: Patti LuPone, Tommy Tune, Penny Fuller, Ruthie Henshall, Beverly Sills and Eartha Kitt.

ABOUT Cathy Rigby AND Brent Barrett:

During her gymnastics career, Cathy Rigby won numerous international medals- including eight gold- and in 1998, she was inducted into the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame. When Cathy retired from the sport, she joined ABC Sports for 18 years, providing expert commentary on the sport of gymnastics around the world.During this time, ABC’s venerable Wide World of Sports named her one of “America’s Most Influential Women in Sports.”

After seven years of intense voice and theatrical training, she embarked on a new career in performing arts. National and regional tour credits include: Annie Get Your Gun, Meet Me In St. Louis, South Pacific, Paint Your Wagon, The Unsinkable Molly Brown, Silvia, and Steel Magnolias. On Broadway, she starred as the title role in Peter Pan in 1991 and 1998, and in Seussical the Musical as Cat-In-The-Hat in 2002. Cathy has been honored with the National Broadway Theatre Award, “Ovation” Lifetime Achievement Award (the West Coast version of a “Tony”) and the 2004 Distinguished Lifetime Service Award from The League of American Theatres and Producers. In 1991, Cathy was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Leading Actress in a Musical when she starred in the 35th Anniversary production of Peter Pan on Broadway. In addition to multiple Tony nominations, Peter Pan also garnered several Emmy nominations, and a win, when A&E filmed the show for television broadcast in 2001. She recently finished filming An American Girl: McKenna Shoots for the Stars. Cathy and her husband, Tom McCoy, are Executive Producers of the McCoy Rigby Entertainment Series at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts in La Mirada, California, and the new Fox Performing Arts Center in Riverside, California. They have successfully produced 18 seasons, and have launched several national touring productions including: Jesus Christ Superstar, Peter Pan, Camelot and Happy Days, the Musical. The McCoy Rigby Conservatory of the Arts in Yorba Linda, California provides students with an opportunity to find their creative outlet, whether it be acting, dancing, singing, art or playwriting. After two Olympics, 18 years as a sports commentator, a successful entertainment career, 4 kids, 4 grandkids and 30 years of marriage to the same man, Cathy spends much of her spare time as a motivational speaker on the topics of nutrition & wellness, and The Art of Reinventing Yourself.

Brent Barrett (Captain Hook/Mr. Darling) Broadway: Chicago, Annie Get Your Gun opposite Reba McEntire, Dance A Little Closer, Grand Hotel, Candide, Brigadoon, West Side Story. Off Broadway: Hannibal Lecter in Silence! The Musical, Closer Than Ever, March of the Falsettos, The Time of Cuckoo and Portrait of Jenny. West End: Kiss Me, Kate (Olivier nomination) filmed for PBS and Grand Hotel. Regional: Phantom in Phantom: The Las Vegas Spectacular, Ben in Follies (Chicago Shakespeare Theater), Leading Ladies, Annie Get Your Gun opposite Cathy Rigby, Chicago (L.A. Drama Critics Award). Solo recordings: The Alan Jay Lerner Album, The Kander and Ebb Album, and Christmas Mornings, plus numerous other recordings. Brent has appeared as a soloist with many prestigious symphonies around the world. Feature Film/Television: “The Producers,” “Longtime Companion,” “Hercules,” “All My Children.”

The cast of PETER PAN will also feature: Kim Crosby as Mrs. Darling, Krista Buccellato as Wendy, Cade Canon Ball as John, Julia Massey as Michael, Jenna Wright as Tiger Lily, James Leo Ryan as Smee, and featuring Dane Wagner, Carly Bracco, Shanon Mari Mills, JC Layag, Marc Andrew Nunez, Clark Roberts, Michael A. Shepperd, Joseph Keane, Cameron Henderson, Patrick Loyd, Anthony Bryant, Kalen Sakima, Jasmine Ejan, Colin Wilson, Rod Roberts, Melissa Roberts and Sam Zeller.

PETER PAN has assembled an award-winning design team. The flying sequences choreographer is Paul Rubin. The scenic design is by John Iacovelli. The lighting design is by Michael Gilliam. The sound design is by Julie Ferrin. The costume design is by Shigeru Yaji. Hair and make-up design is by Mitchell Hale. The fight director is Sean Boyd. The casting director is Julia Flores. The production stage manager is Michael McEowen.

PETER PAN will open on Friday, July 29, 2012 at 8pm and will also perform on Saturday, July 30 at 2pm & 8pm and Sunday July 1 at 2pm.

Tickets are available through Ticketmaster or at the Fox Performing Arts Center Box Office, which is located at 3801 Mission Inn Avenue in Riverside. Ticket Prices range from $28 - $62. The Box Office is open Monday -Friday from Noon to 6:00 PM, Saturdays from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM and on all show days from 10:00 AM to Show Time. The Box Office Phone number is: 951-779-9800.

Photo credit: Isaac James Creative