The original ballet, choreographed by Anne Blackwell and Leslie Cooper, features flying assistance from the renowned Flying by Foy, a company that has staged flying portions of the show for 50 years — including the Broadway versions starring Mary Martin, Sandy Duncan and Cathy Rigby.

“Peter really flies, and they really do somersaults in the air,” said Blackwell, who said the ability to fly was a must. “It’s a lot more realistic and creative this way.”

But it was costly, she said.

“We’ve saved and saved and saved so we could afford the expense of having these people come in and really do it right,” she said, referring to the technical flying assistance.

Up to five cast members will be able to fly at once, with the help of harnesses rigged on the stage. A Flying by Foy representative worked with the Winthrop theater department to install the rigging and provided flight training to the crew and performers.

“The flips were difficult to master, but I wasn’t really very scared,” said Taylor Burnette, a 17-year-old Rock Hill High School senior who plays the starring role, Peter Pan.

However, the flying has taken a lot of practice, both for the show’s performers and technical crew, she said. “It’s hard controling yourself when you’re in the air,” she said.

Harold Christensen, flying director with the company, refused to discuss the flying details. He insisted that the flying feat is made possible by “fairy dust and magic.”

“Any appraratus we may have in the air is just a safety feature required by OSHA in case the performer forgets their happy thoughts or runs out of fairy dust,” he quipped.

The show, which opened Thursday night and is based on the novel by J.M. Barrie, continues tonight through Sunday at Winthrop University’s Johnson Hall Theater.

Burnette, who has danced in previous productions of “The Nutcracker,” said “Peter Pan” has been a great new experience. “It’s been kind of different playing a male figure when I’m so used to being graceful, like a female ballerina,” she said. “But I’ve really enjoyed it. Flying, especially, is awesome.”

The production features all members of the York County Ballet and students of the School of Ballet. In other lead roles are Jessica Miller as Tinkerbell, Jessica Tillman as Wendy and Victor Melvin as Captain Hook.

Other performers are Eliza Blades as Smee, Maggie Cooper as Tiger Lily and Katherine Keener as Nana. The children are played by Jamie Scott as John and Katie Dobrowski as Michael.

Blackwell said the company has been wanting to do the show for a long time. They researched the music, looked at their dancers and tried to stay true to the story.

The colorful show includes a pirate ship set built for Captain Hook, Blackwell said. “We’ve thought about it for a long time, but we’ve never done it before. It’s kind of a daunting thing to do.”

Jennifer Beckell • 329-4077

Want to go?

What: York County Ballet Company presents “Peter Pan.”

When: 8 p.m. today and Saturday and 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Where: Johnson Hall Theatre, Winthrop University.

Tickets: $12, at the Bookworm, 700 Cherry Road, Rock Hill, Johnson Hall box office before the performances and online at www.yorkcountyballet.org.