LiveWorld Transcripts

Borders.com presents

Cathy Rigby
Producer and Star of "Peter Pan"

October 11, 2000

For most people, being the first American gymnast to receive a medal in world competition would be the achievement of a lifetime. But for Cathy Rigby it was just the start. Cathy chats about her life as a sports commentator, stage and screen actress, and now, the producer and star of a Tony Award-nominated revival of "Peter Pan."

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NetCafe: Welcome to NetCafeLive! Tonight we are chatting with Cathy Rigby, the star of "Peter Pan." NetCafeLive is presented by Borders, Inc. and Talk City, Inc.

Cathy Rigby: Greetings from Neverland! I'm excited to be online with all of you, especially since "Peter Pan" is a story and, of course, a project, that is near and dear to my heart. I just got off the road after a 2 1/2 year national and Broadway tour. This is a brand new version of the classic version of "Peter Pan" with all new sets, costumes, and choreography, and we are thrilled because we were just nominated for a Parent's Magazine Award. It's just incredibly exciting to me to know we have it on video and DVD forever! Let go with the questions now! I'm anxious to hear them!

Alley Cat: Have you had any formal training in acting?

Cathy Rigby: I started studying voice and theater after the 1972 Olympics. I studied for over 25 years, and I still study. I retired from gymnastics at 19, and I figured I needed something else to do, so I started voice lessons. I studied for about 20 years before I ever stepped out on stage. I think I also realized that two percent of the people in this business can make a living at it, and I didn't want to take the place of anyone such as "Peter Pan" or "The Unsinkable Molly Brown." I wanted to be well versed and qualified in this particular arena. I started my theater career, actually, in 1981. My first role was Dorothy in the "Wizard of Oz." I've done "Meet Me in St. Louis," "Annie Get your Gun," and, recently, "The Unsinkable Molly Brown." I have probably logged more frequent flyer miles than anyone with "Peter Pan." Those are just a few of the ones I've done. I've done many, but those are my favorites.

Wolverine84: What did you feel like when you received your first gold medal?

Cathy Rigby: Let me give you a little history. I was the first American to win a medal in World Championship Competition. We were pioneers in the sport back in the 70s, and it felt…you know…I think to be the first in anything is always thrilling, especially when everything is great, the coach and your team has invested so much in you, and in your heart and soul you want to please. So to watch the American flag go up, and know that my family and coach were all there to watch it, was probably one of the greatest thrills in my life, next to my husband and my children.

Diva Lady: How did getting the gold rate compared to being nominated for the Tony?

Cathy Rigby: Well, gymnastics was at a different time in my life. I loved gymnastics, but I think I was probably better able to appreciate and enjoy Broadway and Tony nominations and all of that much more, because I could put my life in perspective. When I was in gymnastics, I felt I was only as good as my last competition, and I think I just enjoy the entire process now, much more, from the rehearsals to the performance.

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