For the last few months, the Arkansas Festival Ballet has been preparing for the May 22-23 production of Peter Pan at the Arkansas Arts Center. Auditions were held in February for the 92-member cast, comprised of company dancers, academy students, local dance students, University of Arkansas at Little Rock dance students and cameo appearances from stage cohorts.

According to Rebecca Miller, artistic director for the ballet and choreographer of Peter Pan, wardrobe mistress Heather Gray and her staff have created spectacular costumes for the Crocodile, Peter Pan, Wendy, Hook, Tiger Lily, Indian Princesses, Mermaids and more.  Tinker Bell’s costume even comes complete with pixie dust. Gray Daniels, UALR technical director, designed and built the sets for the production.

“Our production of Peter Pan is sure to charm the audience with a high dose of wonderment,” notes Rebecca. “As the cast dances the story from the Darling Nursery into Never Land, the audience will discover untidy Lost Boys, stylish Indian Princesses, swashbuckling Pirates, an ostentatious Captain Hook and a ticking Crocodile. To add to the excitement of all the delightful characters, Peter Pan and his friends will be teeming with pixie dust as they fly across the stage. It will be magical!”

Performances are at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for children. They are available online here or by calling (501) 227-5320.