During her gymnastics career, Cathy 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 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. There, they have successfully produced 19 seasons, and have launched several national touring productions including: Jesus Christ Superstar, Annie Get Your Gun, 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 is 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.
“Cathy Rigby IS PETER PAN. Director Glenn Casale’s effectively reimagined production resonates with unaccustomed truth. John Iacovelli’s wonderful sets have the quirky and surreal details of Tenniel illustrations, Shigeru Yaji’s splendid costumes range from opulent to ragtag and lighting designer Martin Aronstein casts a rich glow on the whole production. Craig Barna’s musical direction is excellent and Patti Colombo’s terrific choreography soars.”
– Los Angeles Times“The remarkable production is as lush and complete and as wonderful as one can imagine! Cathy Rigby’s voice has the range and power to move me and the subtleness to make me tear up.”
– The Orange County Register“With its perfectly cast roles, crackerjack stagecraft and robust choreography, the show leaps off the stage and into the heart! Cathy Rigby completely embodies the spirit of the forever-young flyboy and from her first swooshing entrance on, you never want to take your eyes – or ears, for she has a fine powerful singing voice – off her!”
– The Seattle Times“The first major revival to reimagine the show for a new generation and it soars!”
– Detroit News“Rigby hits new heights in PETER PAN. She was nominated for a Tony Award during her last PETER PAN tour and if anything her portrayal has intensified since then. This is a $1.3 million production that looks like $4 million!”
– USA Today“Cathy Rigby is still the gold medal winner in this exhilarating production of PETER PAN.”
– Boston Globe“This dynamite production is a sharp double-edged sword that makes us laugh with delight while breaking our hearts at the same time.”
– Christian Science Monitor“PETER PAN sparkles with fairy dust! Rigby has mastered the singing, dancing and aerial shenanigans, but has also gotten to the core of the boy who wouldn’t grow up.”
– The Washington Post
