Two New Stars on Walk of Stars

Pavement work under way at Starlight Theatre this spring presented an opportunity to install two new bronze stars in the Shirley Bush Helzberg Walk of Stars. The stars were previously cast and presented to two Hollywood stars – Cathy Rigby and George Hamilton – who performed on the Starlight stage during the 2012 Broadway season.

As you enter the venue from the east side this summer, be sure to glance down at the new stars in the pavement alongside the Applause Club and Helzberg Fountain in honor of:

• Cathy Rigby, who was a high-flying success when at age 59 she reprised her leading role as Peter Pan in a touring production in July 2012; she had previously soared in Peter Pan at Starlight in 1998. Rigby also appeared at Starlight as Annie Oakley in 1993’s Annie Get Your Gun. After winning America’s hearts as an international award-winning gymnast, Rigby embarked on a new career in entertainment after she retired from the sport in 1972. While an expert commentator for ABC Sports, she also studied acting and singing for nearly a decade. Rigby made her stage debut in 1981 as Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz and went on to perform in several national touring musicals. She starred in Broadway’s 35th anniversary production of Peter Pan in 1991, earning a Tony Award® nomination for Best Actress. She reprised the role in the A&E television production in 2000.
• George Hamilton, who starred as nightclub owner Georges in the national tour of La Cage Aux Folles that played at Starlight on Aug. 28-Sept. 2, 2012. Perhaps best recognized for his jet-setter image and perpetual tan, Hamilton has appeared in numerous dramatic and comedic film roles, including MGM’s Where the Boys Are, a ‘60s coming-of-age romcom in which he played a smooth Ivy League type. Hamilton made two memorable bio-pics: Your Cheatin’ Heart in 1964, in which he portrayed country-western music legend Hank Williams, and in 1971, Evel Knievel, the life story of the motorcycle daredevil. He was nominated for a Golden Globe Award as the campy neck-biter in the Dracula spoof Love at First Bite (1979), which he executive-produced.

Starlight’s Shirley Bush Helzberg Walk of Stars also includes:

Six other stars are displayed at Starlight, but you’ll only see them on a backstage tour. These stars were cast to posthumously honor several Kansas City area residents who performed on Starlight’s stage or provided essential backstage support for Starlight productions.