Peter Pan

Houston Ballet principal dancer Sara Webb has spent the last few years getting ready to return to her role as Wendy in Trey McIntyre’s Peter Pan. Not only did Webb originate the role when it was first performed by the company in 2002, but she has a young son who occasionally behaves a bit like Peter Pan, she says via press materials.

The three-act ballet is based on the story of the same name by James M. Barrie. Peter Pan is performed to the music of Edward Elgar (arranged here by Niel DePonte) and includes swashbuckling sword fights, ticking crocodiles, lost boys, a devilish pirate and lots of flying. Webb says one of her favorite moments in the show is when Peter Pan first helps Wendy to fly. She delicately puts one of her feet into his outstretched hand. Taking her seemingly by the toes, Peter lifts her up into the air over his head, then gently sets her down again. ”It’s actually a tricky part to try and pull off without making it look jerky or anything like that, but it’s very effective.”

Choreographer Trey McIntyre is a longtime favorite of Houston Ballet audiences; he spent some 20 years with the organization, starting as a student in the Houston Ballet Academy in 1987, becoming a company member in 1989 and serving as choreographic associate until 2008, when he left to found his own company, Trey McIntyre Project. He gets plenty of praise from Webb: ”[He] did such an amazing job with this production. He really tried to make the audience become part of it. You feel like you’re in the story with us.”

Webb shares the role of Wendy with Melody Mennite. Joseph Walsh and Christopher Gray appear as Peter Pan, with Karina Gonzalez, Allison Miller and Melissa Hough performing as Tinkerbell.

7:30 p.m. June 13, 15, 21 and 22, 2 p.m. June 15, 16 and 23. Wortham Theater Center, 501 Texas. For information, call 713 227 2787 or visit houstonballet.org. $19 to $165.

Thu., June 13; June 15-16; June 21-23, 2013