Peter Pan, played by actress Tiana Checchia, soars through the Darling children's bedroom during Beef and Boards' production of "Peter Pan."

Rainy weather got you down? Did you have a bad day at work? Or are you just plain tired of your normal, everyday routine?

Well grab your spouse, your kids, or your date for the evening, and head on over to Beef and Boards Dinner Theater in Indianapolis for the live production of "Peter Pan."

The instant the stage lights go down, you'll be swept away to

"Neverland" as you're surrounded by the sights and sounds of this truly magical -- and musical -- performance. The show includes many songs that were not included in any of the movie versions.

When I attended the show Saturday night, a representative of Beef and Boards told me that "Peter Pan" requires one the largest casts of any production at the theater. If you've ever been to Beef and Boards, the stage isn't exactly massive.

Directed by Eddie Curry, the large cast includes all the favorite characters including Peter Pan (dictated by tradition to be played by a woman), Captain Hook, the Darling children Wendy, John and little Michael, the Lost Boys and more.

My personal favorite (and that of my companion for the evening, Kevin) was Captain Hook, played by actor Jeff Stockberger.

Anyone who knows anything about the story of Peter Pan knows that Captain Hook sets out to capture and kill Peter. But it's the mannerisms and the underlying comedic narratives of the incompetent pirate that make his character so funny. Kevin and I laughed loudly about every time Captain Hook took to the stage, but we quickly stifled our chuckles when we realized no one around us was laughing particularly hard. Oh well, what do they know about good comedy?

Like any quote on quote -- kids movie -- there is a fair amount of adult humor that makes the show ideal for all ages.

For the kids in your family, it's worth going to the show to see Peter Pan and the Darling children take flight from the stage and soar over the people in the audience as they make their way to Neverland. It's really quite an amazing stunt to see! Here's what Beef and Boards fly director Troy Trinkle had to say about his job to make sure Peter gets off the ground during the show:

"A lot of people try to do it themselves," he remarked. "It's not really hard to make people fly. What I mean is, it's not really hard to pick them up off the ground.

"But to make it look like something, it takes a long time to learn how to use the equipment."

Understanding the rigging is vital, Troy said, noting he has had some specialty training. "Doug (Stark, owner of Beef and Boards) sent me to a flying seminar and I've gone to some flying seminars on my own, which teaches me about the equipment and the aerial choreography. But basically, the more you do it, the better you get at it."

Months before the rehearsals for the production began, Troy was working with the technical staff at Beef and Boards to install the necessary equipment for Peter Pan.

But the equipment is only part of the formula needed to fly. The people controlling it -- the fly crew -- are an integral part of successful stage flight.

"I come in and I help the fly crew become part of the choreography," Troy explained. "Even though they're not on stage, they're part of the movement. They're creating the movement, and they're motivating the actors on stage to move. It's like a waltz."

And while the audience may get nervous with actors over their heads, Troy isn't.

"It is so reliable and so safe," he said. "It's a matter of mechanics and art because there's no technology involved."

For those of you who have never visited Beef and Boards, it's located just south of Interstate 465 and near Michigan Road, on the Indianapolis north side. From Putnam County, you can make the drive in a little more than an hour. But it's definitely worth the gasoline to go.

The show continues now through June 29 and there are several performances scheduled throughout the week and weekend, including daytime showings. As always, your show includes a buffet dinner that you can enjoy prior to the performance.

Take my word for it, you won't be sorry you went.

By the way, if you go, write to me on this blog and tell me what you thought. Okay?