New York firm teaches some in cast of 'Peter Pan' how to fly

Michael James thinks everyone, at some time in his or her life, has thought about having the ability to fly.

"Flying isn't easy, though," he said.

Neither is singing in perfect pitch while flying 15 feet in the air across a stage, but James has just about mastered both. He will play the lead in the ultimate flying musical, "Peter Pan."

This is the spring production for The Culture House, an academy for dance, theater and music in Olathe. The 140 cast members and crew, ranging from 6 to 19 years of age, will perform "Peter Pan" at 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday and 2 p.m. Saturday at the Youthfront Auditorium, 4715 Rainbow Blvd., in Westwood.

James said singing and learning his lines was easy compared to flying because he's afraid of heights.

"I knew I had to face my fears," he said.

He accomplished it, along with the other flying members of the cast, by practicing 12 hours a day for three days with ZMX Inc., a New York company that specializes in teaching theatrical casts how to fly.

James will share the lead role with Caleb Wayne of Olathe.

"The two are both so good, we C_00262_00had trouble deciding who would play Peter," said Jeremiah Enna, who is executive director and co-founded The Culture House with his wife Mona.

The cast decided to let James and Wayne take turns playing the lead.

"Everyone has worked really hard and it should be a good performance," Enna said. He, however, gives Kelley Reitmeier, the musical's coordinator, credit for making the full-scale production work.

From sword fights between Captain Hook, his pirates and Peter Pan and the Lost Boys to flying Wendy, John, Michael and Peter across the stage, Reitmeier has her hands full.

"She's done a great job," Enna said.

For tickets to Peter Pan and more information, call The Culture House at 913-393-3141.