DES MOINES — This week only, the stage at the Des Moines Civic Center has been transformed in Neverland — complete with pirates, dastardly villains, a crocodile and flying heroes.

The opening night of “Peter Pan” featured Cathy Rigby in her farewell tour, playing the young boy who could fly and refused to grow up. With several family members along for the ride, Rigby delivered a performance that enchanted the audience and showed them the miracle of believing in fairies.

The production marks the 100th anniversary of James M. Barrie’s tale of Peter Pan and the ageless boys of Neverland. Rigby has been playing the role of Pan for 16 years and will retire in July from the role that defined her career.

The stage sets varied from the Darling family’s nursery and the starry night sky to Peter Pan’s underground cave and Captain Hook’s pirate ship.

“It’s so intriguing and you can’t stop watching it,” says Gabrielle Burnett of Waukee. Burnett watched the play with friend Caroline McGowan of Waukee, and both say they enjoyed the performance.

Howard McGillin, who played Hook, very closely resembles the Pan-hating pirate. McGillin has been cast in several Broadway plays and has starred in “The Phantom of the Opera,” Jerry Herman’s “Mack and Mabel” and “She Loves Me,” among others.

The show was filled with exciting effects and choreographed flying scenes and sword fights. The dance numbers were lively and fairy dust — glitter — was used throughout the performance. Cast members were flown over the stage with clear bungee cords, which were attached to harnesses under their costumes.

The one thing that caught audience members off guard, however, was Tinkerbell’s performance — portrayed by a dimly lit flashlight accompanied by the sound of a tinkling bell.

“This is my first time seeing it, and it’s impressive,” says Doug Sawyer of Des Moines. “My daughter has seen the Disney version and knows the story and at one point, she turned to me and said, ‘This is a little different.'”

He also says even though he had some expectations because he is used to the old version, the acrobatics were amazing.

“And I didn’t know Rigby could sing,” Sawyer says.

“Ugg-a-Wugg,” a dancing scene featuring Peter Pan and his friends, Tiger Lily and the Indians was one scene that wowed the audience.

“It’s fun to watch and is very creative,” says McGowan. “I’m very impressed.”