In one of the most iconic moments of the play, Wendy, played by Cheyenne Syvertson of Pine River, offers to give Peter Pan, played by Anna Gardner of Baxter, a kiss. Having been so long absent from the real world, Peter doesnÕt know what a kiss is and sticks out his hand to accept WendyÕs kiss. So, Wendy places in his hand a Òkiss,Ó which is more commonly known as a thimble.

More than 100 years after J.M. Barrie's 1904 original version of "Peter Pan" was firmly established as a classic, a cast of youthful actors is making the beloved classic soar once again.

Greater Lakes Area Performing Arts' (GLAPA) production of "Peter Pan" has a cast of 24 that ranges in age from 10 to mid-40s. The majority of the cast is young, but that isn't translated into the quality of the show.

The youth bring an energy and enthusiasm to the show that transfers to all seats in the theater. Besides their wonderful energy, cast members are extremely professional and were off book with all their lines memorized weeks before the show was scheduled to open.

First-time actor Mike Pierson of Pequot Lakes does not have a large role as the Crocodile, but makes himself unforgettable. When the tick, tick, tick of the clock tocks through the theater, the audience watches in anticipation for Pierson as he comes for the rest of Captain Hook.

Cheyenne Syvertson, as Wendy, portrays a young girl on the cusp of womanhood. She expertly plays up the struggle Wendy goes through as she sits on the brink between the make-believe world of motherhood and the real, more grownup feelings she has for Peter Pan. Syvertson soars with Peter Pan but very expertly demonstrates that never growing up means missing out on a very vital part of life.

Jordan Voges shows great range as he acts out both the lovable and silly Mr. Darling and the cranky and vengeful Captain Hook. Voges delivers his lines with power and articulation that is easily heard in every corner of the theater.

He portrays Captain Hook as competently as the contradictory villain J.M. Barrie wrote him to be. Voges expresses Captain Hook's villain ways expertly when he plots revenge against Peter Pan as well as Captain Hook's innocence when he decides to capture Wendy and have her be a mother to him and his crew of pirates. Voges really is very good at creating a villain you love to hate.

And the young, talented Anna Gardner embodies the devil-may-care, always-looking-for-an-adventure attitude that is Peter Pan. During the show she transforms herself into a pre-pubescent boy who jumps, flies, fights and crows with the abandon that only comes from those with absolutely no responsibilities. Never growing up and always having fun mean Peter misses out on many of life's special experiences, but Gardner remains true to the Pan character and is steadfast in her portrayal.

The sets, which were created by Dr. Styrofoam himself, Tim Leagjeld, seem to be right out of the mind of a child.

When the lights come up on Neverland, it strikes the spectator that a child's make believe world of Peter Pan has exploded onto the stage.

The sets and props are brightly colored and ingeniously weave in the very heart of the tale of Peter Pan. A main focus of the play is stories and the world of make-believe that authors create.

Leagjeld has successfully brought this theme into play with the sets, and many are designed to look like books. Even Captain Hook's ship is created from books both open and closed. The sail is an open book with the story of Peter Pan on its large pages.

First-time director David Allan Pundt, along with the rest of the cast and crew, has done a wonderful job creating a world of make-believe that entices audience members to take a break from the bleakness of the gray Minnesota winter and step into the colorful, warm and exciting world that is "Peter Pan."