The District Auditorium stage has been over taken by pirates, mermaids, lost boys, Indians — and a crocodile, a Never Bird and an ostrich — as Napa High drama students prepare to present the tale of the boy who wouldn’t grow up, “Peter Pan.”

They are staging a new version of J.M. Barrie’s classic, created by John Caird and Trevor Nunn of the Royal Shakespeare Company, but it retains all the fun and fantasy of the story, including the amazing flying scenes, as Peter lures away the Darling children to his hideout in Neverland. Peter’s purpose is to bring Wendy Darling to be a mother to the lost boys who make up his tribe on the island; but the Darling children encounter all kinds of adventures as they meet the other inhabitants of the islands, including the wicked Captain Hook.

“It’s fun,” said Steve Hansen, Napa’s honors precalculus teacher, who will be one of the characters in harness, flying over the set. Hansen plays the role of the storyteller.

Director Sharon Rogers said more than 60 drama students are participating in the production, including some who won’t appear on stage, but play vitals roles nonetheless. One of these is William Johnson, a senior, who is one of those who’ll be working the riggings that have Peter and company flying over the stage. It’s the first time he’s been part of a drama production, said Johnson, who is perhaps better known as one of Napa’s top varsity heavy-weight wrestlers. “Mr. Hansen recruited me,” Johnson explained. “He said he needed some thugs.”

Johnson said he hasn’t been able to see any of the play yet, but “another play could be in my future.”

Senior Lindsay Stolz plays Peter, and Bryn Owens has taken on the role of Peter’s arch enemy, the redoubtable Captain Hook. The role of Wendy is shared by Kate Devine and Leah Reisman. The other Darling children are played by Jeff Hill and Angelia DeBenedetti, and Lauren Turigliatto plays Nana, the nanny/dog.

The cast also includes Jocelyn Holdbrook as Mrs. Darling; Lauren Robinson as Liza, the Darling’s “servants”; Ariel Jackson as the Ostrich; Maggie Crane as Slightly; Lauren Hubbard as Tootles; Sarah Bockhold as Nibs; Madison Crosby as Curly; Stephanie Hill and Afton Younger as the Twins; Monica Garcia as Cecco; Steven Orloff as Bill Jukes; Cristhian Ayvar as Cookson; Cory Jorgensen as Starkey; Shane Cameron as Skylights; Jessie Featherstone as Smee; Paul Guirguis as Noddler; Tenaya Jorgensen as Mullins; Josue Zendejas as Lone Wolf; Luke Woolworth as Panther; Emily Painter as the Never Bird; and Zia Shepp as Jane. Rosie Fullerton and Shawntay Winstead share the role of the Indian princess Tiger Lily, and Fullerton and Heather Bankston will both play the Crocodile.

Joining the cast as pirates are Sarah Barry, Heather Bankston, Zach Bright, Kyle Ekstrand, Monica Garcia, Hillary Hight, Troy Joliffe, Jessica Lopez, Jennifer Madru, Rory Scotland (who is also understudy for Captain Hook) and Daniel White.

The Indians of Neverland are played by Mary Abalo, Emily Anderson, Rachel Bronk, Chris Cornish, Deborah Creiglow, Ashlyn Engleman, Kelsi Espinoza, Theodora Forbes, Lisa Hopp, Kelsey Miller, Sara Narita, Katie Ott, Lisa Rios, Chelsea Schumann, Melissa Smith, Rachel Sturm and Elly Trejo.

A touch of the exotic is added by the mermaids Celine Brace, Kate Callahan, Liz Crain, Caitliln Gill, Kayla Guinn, Erin Gulbransen, Anna Holbrook, Catie Kensok, Emily Shelley, Rebecca Taylor and Michaela Vann.

“Peter Pan” will be performed Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m. in the District Auditorium at the corner of Jefferson and Lincoln avenues in Napa. Tickets are $10 and are available at the door, one-half hour before the show begins.