Cathy Rigby may be a grandmother, but you'd never know it from watching her. Her Peter Pan is brash, butch and vigorously athletic — and, like everything else in this production, kinetic and exuberant. With its tangoing pirates, leap-frogging Lost Boys, war-dancing Indians, aerialists, sword fights, slapstick and pratfalls, the musical provides endless visual excitement. But, for all its nursery coziness and spectacular theater magic, J.M. Barrie's script retains its bittersweet, lurking sadness, and a bit of delicate subversion: the fact that the same actor (the flamboyantly elegant Brent Barrett) plays both Father Darling and Captain Hook adds a soupçon of Freudianism to the proceedings, and both are send-ups of adult pretensions and petulance. Krista Buccellato is a winsome Wendy, Jenna Wright is a lithe, lean and sexy Tiger Lily, and Kim Crosby is an ideal Mummy for the Darling clan. Director Glenn Casale keeps the action moving like an express train, John Iacovelli's sets are apt and lavish and Patti Colombo provides the high-energy choreography. Paul Rubin's flight choreography is a delight in itself, and it's hard to resist the thrill of excitement when Rigby comes soaring in through that nursery window like a wingless Winged Victory. Pantages Theatre, 6233 Hollywood Blvd., Hlywd.; Tues.-Thurs., 7:30 p.m.; Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 2 & 8 p.m.; Sun., 1 & 6:30 p.m.; thru Jan. 27. (800) 982-2787, BroadwayLA.org or Ticketmaster.com.

Tuesdays-Thursdays, 7:30 p.m.; Fridays, 8 p.m.; Saturdays, 2 & 8 p.m.; Sundays, 1 & 6:30 p.m. Starts: Jan. 15. Continues through Jan. 27, 2013

Advertising disclosure: We may receive compensation for some of the links in our stories. Thank you for supporting LA Weekly and our advertisers.