CATHY RIGBY AS 'PETER PAN' COMING TO A&E.

Byline: - Nancy Hewitt

When most people think of Cathy Rigby, they remember her as the young American gymnast who earned 12 medals - eight of them gold - in the 1968 and 1972 Olympics.

But there is a decidedly more creative side of Rigby finding success in a different genre.

After seven years of voice and acting training, plus 12 years of ballet, Rigby finally found her way to the theater stage.

Her first role was Dorothy in ``The Wizard of Oz.'' Other roles followed, including ``Annie Get Your Gun,'' ``Meet Me in St. Louis,'' ``Paint Your Wagon'' and more.

But the role that has endeared her to audiences nationwide is ``Peter Pan,'' a part she lovingly accepted in 1991.

Following in the illustrious footsteps of stage icon Mary Martin, who appeared in the 1954 stage production, and Sandy Duncan, who starred in 1979 on Broadway, was no easy task. But Rigby soon made the role her own.

Playing the role of the boy who never wanted to grow up meant ``letting myself go. Being more spontaneous, blunt and direct,'' she says.

The recent ``Peter Pan'' tour ended in May of this year. A&E filmed the musical for broadcast Oct. 8, with both the video and DVD of the production available later for purchase.

Rigby has been on the road promoting the video since the production closed, but she is looking forward to working with husband Tom McCoy in assembling some new productions at their own theater, La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, later this year.

If you were fortunate enough to see Rigby when she performed during one of the recent tours, you'll notice a few differences in this production.

``The direction is a little more subtle,'' Rigby says. ``The sets are the same. The wrap-around star drop really looked like you're flying in the sky. We pulled out all the stops.''

Most of the original touring cast is intact in this new version. And even some of Rigby's kids have small parts. Her son, Buck McCoy, plays the Scottish pirate, Nana the dog and the crocodile. Daughter Kaitlin McCoy plays a mermaid, while daughter Theresa McCoy plays Wendy's daughter, Jane.

But perhaps most noticeable among the changes are the more intricate floor movements - reminiscent of Rigby's own gymnastic routines during the Olympics - employed by the actress in this version of the beloved stage classic.

And when Rigby flies, she soars across the stage and over the audience as naturally as a bird. ``Flying is one of the easiest things,'' she says. ``You have to know what direction you're going and learn to make your body work.''

And the audience loves it - kids and adults alike.

Although most of her acting work has been on the stage, filming the lavish production was enjoyable because she was able to hear audience reaction.

``Part of the magic of the show and what we hear is people reacting with each other,'' she says.

But she admits that one of her greatest thrills, even after years of performances, is having children really believe in her character. ``The acting aspect is wonderful and having children really believe you're that boy.

``Every single time I do a show,`` she continues, ``there's a sense of mischief and spontaneity.''

Playing the same role over and over has never been tiring for Rigby. ``It's a very free role. You allow the kid in you to come out of you. Peter is very emotional. He holds the tragedies of his life inside.''

``Peter Pan'' airs at 8 p.m. Oct. 8 on A&E. The video is $19.95, the DVD $29.95. Both will be available Oct. 10 and can be ordered by phone: [phone].

ZANY TALES AND MUSIC: Enjoy the lively stories and infectious music of author and illustrator Barney Saltzberg, who visits Pages Books for Children and Young Adults Inc. in Tarzana at 11 a.m. Wednesday.

Saltzberg will introduce his new book ``There's a Zoo in Room 22'' and also read and draw from his book ``The Soccer Mom From Outer Space.'' Kids will also be entertained by some of the songs from Saltzberg's upcoming recording ``The Soccer Mom From Outer Space.

This program is especially suited for children ages 4 to 8. The store is at 18399 Ventura Blvd. No. 15. Information: [phone].

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Cathy Rigby as 'Peter Pan' coming to A&E