Cathy Rigby reprises her famous stage role as the title character in “Peter Pan.”

By Jae-Ha Kim
Chicago Sun-Times
September 4, 1998

Cathy Rigby is a two-time Olympian and a Tony Award nominee. But ask the former gymnast what frightens her the most and she’ll answer without missing a beat.

“The thought of my 16-year-old daughter driving . . . alone,” Rigby said in a phone interview from Los Angeles. “I’ve been through it before, but you never really get used to it.”

That’s right. The former Olympic pixie, who has the title role in “Peter Pan” – opening Tuesday at the Shubert Theatre – is 45 now and has four children of her own. And they’re not only older than Rigby was when she competed on an international level, they’re also taller than their 5-foot mom.

Like “Peter Pan,” Rigby never seems to grow up – physically. She is as lithe as she was during her medal-winning heydey.

“Oh, it doesn’t always feel that way when I’m swinging through the air during the show,” Rigby said, laughing. “Without a doubt, I am not in the same condition as I was when I was 16. But on the plus side, I don’t have to work out nearly as much as I did when I was competing.

“Now I do some weight work and stretching to warm up for each (2 1/2-hour) show, but that’s about it. It’s a very physical role, so I get some amazing conditioning during each performance.”

Currently in her second national tour with “Peter Pan,” Rigby won a Tony nomination for her 1990-91 stint with the production.

Her thespian achievements have eluded Olympic colleagues such as former swimmer Mark Spitz, whose on-screen charisma was so minimal that he wasn’t able to capitalize on his seven gold medals. Then there was gymnast Mitch Gaylord, who starred in the ill-conceived feature film “American Anthem.”

“It was amazing to be nominated for the Tony because it kind of validated my career as an actress and singer,” Rigby said. “But I had studied voice and acting for seven years before I even ventured into an acting role (more than 20 years ago). It takes time for people to find their niche, and maybe acting wasn’t it for Mark or Mitch. But they had other strengths.

“After spending eight hours a day in the gym working on your routines, you lose perspective on who you are, what you want and what you can do with your life. I was really lucky in finding that something.”

`Peter Pan’
Tuesday through Sept. 20
Shubert Theatre, 22 W. Monroe
Tickets, $25-$62.50
(312) 902-1500