Ballet West brings Trey McIntyre's 'Peter Pan' to Utah

The production features flying choreography, magical transformations, and music by Sir Edward Elgar.

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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Ballet West is set to premiere Trey McIntyre's full-length ballet adaptation of the classic story 'Peter Pan' in Salt Lake City. The production, which draws from the original Barrie novel, features flight choreography, scenes of magical transformation, and a fight scene on a pirate ship. The ballet is set to music by Sir Edward Elgar, performed by the Ballet West Orchestra.

Why it matters

The 'Peter Pan' story is an enduring classic that explores the conflict between the innocence of childhood and the responsibilities of adulthood. McIntyre's ballet adaptation aims to capture the emotional undercurrents of this timeless tale through movement and music.

The details

The ballet features fanciful costumes by Broadway designer Jeanne Button, imaginative sets by Tom Boyd, and ethereal lighting by Christina Giannelli. The score, arranged by Niel DePonte, incorporates excerpts from 22 pieces by Elgar, including the breathtakingly beautiful violin solo from the Crown of India Suite. The production will feature two casts rotating during the run, with dancers portraying iconic characters like Peter Pan, Wendy, Captain Hook, and Tinkerbell.

  • The Utah premiere of Trey McIntyre's 'Peter Pan' ballet will run from February 13-21, 2026 at the Capitol Theatre in downtown Salt Lake City.

The players

Trey McIntyre

A polymath choreographer, photographer, and creative partner of the BODYTRAFFIC contemporary dance company, who adapted the 'Peter Pan' story into a full-length ballet.

Adam Sklute

The artistic director of Ballet West, who noted that the 'Peter Pan' story underscores the conflict between the innocence of childhood and the social responsibility of adulthood.

Ben Stevenson

A master storyteller and former artistic director of Houston Ballet, who was an influential mentor to McIntyre.

Michael Curry

A designer known for his work on 'The Lion King' on Broadway, the Olympics opening ceremonies, the Met Opera, and Cirque du Soleil, whose experiences influenced the spectacle elements of McIntyre's 'Peter Pan' ballet.

Niel DePonte

The arranger who incorporated excerpts from 22 pieces by Sir Edward Elgar to create the score for the ballet, deliberately avoiding Elgar's most well-known works.

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What they’re saying

“The story's main thrust is a metaphor about what it means to be an artist. to stay connected to what it means to be an artist and to understand the unlimited possibilities in life and be aware of how and why we place restrictions on ourselves.”

— Trey McIntyre (The Utah Review)

“Peter Pan remains an enduring story because its themes speak to humanity. The story underscores the conflict between the innocence of childhood and the social responsibility of adulthood. Barrie seems to have understood the psychology of children in ways that were ahead of the times, and he based many aspects of the story on people and situations from his own life.”

— Adam Sklute, Artistic Director, Ballet West (The Utah Review)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This production of 'Peter Pan' by Ballet West promises to captivate audiences with its blend of technical wizardry, emotional storytelling, and timeless themes about the human experience. The creative team's dedication to honoring the original Barrie novel while infusing the ballet with their own unique vision sets the stage for an unforgettable theatrical experience.