JM Barrie's Peter Pan is a classic for children and adults alike, Peter is not the most likable of characters but it is very meaningful, heart-warming, dark, charming and surprisingly complex as well(especially with the character of Captain Hook). This 2000 Broadway production is magnificent and captivating all the way through, there will always be a fondness for the Mary Martin version but in my personal opinion this one eclipses it in almost every way, though the ending has more of an emotional impact in the Martin version. What is remarkable about this production is not just how charming and light-hearted it is, to the extent that older audiences will feel like a child again in a good way, but how it's not afraid in bringing out the darker aspects of the story, the mermaids are quite evil here. Very faithful in detail and spirit. Even more remarkable is how it works on its own and as a musical. The production values are lavish, the costumes are fitting for the characters and the settings for the nursery and Marauders Rock- very creepy- are really effective. The rustic setting for the underground house appeals too. The music is rousing and beautiful, Peter's song(s) in the nursery and the numbers with the pirates and Hook were particularly great. The flying effects looked magical, the special effects are well incorporated and the choreography is full of life, especially with the Indians and pirates.The dialogue is both heart-warming and funny, you will shed a tear or two at the end and Hook and Smee's interactions are an immense joy to watch. The production is full of energy throughout, with the comedy and drama always convincing. The performances are spot on, especially from Cathy Rigby and Paul Schoeffler. Rigby is wonderfully boyish, and her performance is full of charisma, energy, comic timing and likability. She is also very athletic and has an amazing, powerful voice, all of this makes up for an accent that comes and goes(in fact a couple of the accents on the whole can sound a tad overdone), considering how so good her performance overall that feels like nothing. Schoeffler's baritone voice is rich and warm, he even hits some great top As and A flats. And his Hook from the facial expressions to how he uses his voice is hilarious without ever feeling like a buffoon. He succeeds also in bringing out some menacing aspects in the capture of Wendy, her brothers and the Lost Boys and with the poison, so while his performance is primarily on the comedy side it doesn't feel entirely done-for-laughs. Eliza Sangardia brings great charm to Wendy and gives the character great spunk, she does have a beautiful voice(much more appealing than the Wendy in the Mary Martin version) that you wish you heard more of. Wendy's brothers and the Lost Boys are full of enthusiasm and none of them show signs of fatigue or nerves, while Tiger Lily's athletic dancing is just jaw-dropping and the pirates are the very meaning of rollicking. All in all, hugely entertaining and magnificent in quality, an absolute must. 10/10 Bethany Cox

"Peter Pan", an A&E Network presentation, on DVD, of the JM Barrie stage musical. I remember Cathy Rigby, the gymnast, from the early 1970s. I had heard over the years that she was pretty good as peter Pan. In fact, she and the musical are coming to my city in just a couple of weeks. But I was not prepared for how good Rigby is, and how funny and good this stage production is.I found this DVD at my local public library and, having just seen "Finding Neverland", which tells the story of how Barrie got his inspiration, I just had to see "Peter Pan." I actually saw another version also, the recent theatrical film with Ludivine Sagnier as Tinker Bell, and the Rigby stage version is superior in every way. I highly recommend it, to kids and adults alike.

I have seen several productions of Peter Pan and this has to be my favorite. It has the lighthearted appeal of the original story, with colorful and imaginative sets and costumes that are a joy to see. While children can enjoy the story as a new experience, those of us who are adults can enjoy the acting skills, as well as the stunning special effects. While they may be commonplace on most videos which were movies, the flying alone is a wonderful example.While I know that there are those who see Mary Martin as the ONLY Peter Pan, in the spirit of Peter Pan, I just have to say "phft-ft-ft-ft!" Mary Martin was always just Mary Martin playing a role. While with Cathy Rigby, I actually found myself forgetting that it was a woman, and not a young boy playing Peter Pan.

The revival of the Broadway hit, with former gymnast, Cathy Rigby, making the role her own. This show has it all, great musical numbers, enchanting characters, and of course, flying. Rigby and company never let up the energy level, and the entire stage production is first rate. The wonderful number "I'm Flying", has got to be the greatest showstopper in Broadway history, and it never has been performed with as much gusto, as Rigby pulls out all her gymnastic stops. Many will remember the Mary Martin version, that was beloved for many years. At last, there is a production of higher video and sound quality, and performances that are the original's equal, to enjoy over and over again. The entire family will love this show. It's a great production.