Press
Release
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Lauren Stevenson Yacina
Upper Darby
Performing Arts Center, 610.506.1355
Tickets on sale May 30 for 38th season of Upper
Darby Summer Stage!
One of the most successful youth theater programs in
the country announces family-friendly line-up
May 23, 2013 – Drexel Hill, PA – Tickets for the 38th
season of Upper Darby Summer Stage go on sale May 30! The family-oriented musical theater series has
been a Delaware Valley summer tradition since 1976.
The series includes
six one-hour Children’s Theater musicals, and “Fiddler on the Roof” the
Mainstage production, appropriate for theatergoers of all ages. Performances
begin on July 10 and take place at Upper Darby Performing Arts Center, 601 N.
Lansdowne Avenue, Drexel Hill, PA. The air conditioned, stadium-style theater
offers wheel-chair access and free parking. Tickets may be purchased online at www.udpac.org or by calling the box office at
610.622.1189.
The 2013 Upper Darby
Summer Stage season includes six Children’s Theater shows, all based on popular
children’s books: “The Musical
Adventures of Flat Stanley, Jr.!,” the book for which countless children
have reported about the travel adventures of Stanley Lampchop; Disney’s “My Son Pinocchio, Jr.,” the new
musical by the composer of “Wicked;” Disney’s “Little Mermaid, Jr.” the magical adventure under the sea; “Freckleface Strawberry,” based on the
best-selling book by actress Julianne Moore; “A Year with Frog and Toad,” featuring the well-loved characters
from Arnold Lobel’s children’s book
series; and Roald Dahl’s “Willy Wonka,
Jr.,” featuring songs from the classic film “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate
Factory.” Performances begin on July 10 and run every Wednesday, Thursday and
Friday through August 16. Specific dates and show times can be found online at www.udpac.org.
The Children’s
Theater performances are musicals 70 minutes in length, without intermission,
and are geared toward children four and up. Tickets for the Children’s Theater
shows are affordably priced for the entire family to enjoy, from $6 - $9.
Ticket-holders are encouraged to come early to enjoy pre-show activities and
stay after the show for autographs and photographs with cast members. Free
baby-sitting is available for younger family members.
The Mainstage show
is the beloved, “Fiddler on the Roof” and is professionally directed and
choreographed, featuring professionally designed costumes, set and technical
design, with professional musicians in the live orchestra pit. Young adults, up
to the age of 28, make up the cast and the Mainstage production appeals to
serious musical theatergoers because of the high-caliber talent and production
value.
The Mainstage
production is directed by professional playwright and actor Marcus Stevens, who
was recently featured in the New York Broadway community’s favorite, “Forbidden
Broadway.” Stevens directed the 2007 Summer Stage season production of “Ragtime,”
the 2011 season’s “Titanic, the
Musical,” called “the best show I’ve seen all year” by the News of Delaware County,
and the sell-out “Hairspray,” the 2012 Mainstage production.
“Fiddler on the Roof”
is presented on August 2, 3, 9 and 10 at 7:30pm with a matinee on August 10 at
1:30pm. Tickets are $10 - $13.
The New
York Daily News proclaimed “Fiddler on the Roof…a universal story of
hope, love, and acceptance, a stunning, joyful, and jubilant musical
masterpiece.” Winner of nine Tony Awards
including Best Musical, this Mainstage show is a production musical
theater-lovers won’t want to miss.
Since 1976, the
Upper Darby Summer Stage program has introduced thousands of families from
throughout the Delaware Valley to live musical theater. Each summer over 30,000 ticket-holders walk
through the doors of the Upper Darby Performing Arts Center to experience
performances at a price the entire family can enjoy.
Over 750 registrants
from throughout the Delaware Valley will participate in the program, a model throughout
the country for youth theater programs. Over 30 performances will be presented
in the short span of six exciting weeks including Children’s Theater shows,
Mainstage shows, One-Act Play performances, and a Dance Troupe-Cabaret
production. The staff of 100 professional directors, choreographers, costumers,
and technicians is committed to providing excellent musical theater training
and high-quality performances for families and the entire community.
Harry Dietzler,
Founder and Executive Director, established the Summer Stage program in 1976
and recently received the distinguished Lifetime
Achievement Award at the 17th Annual Barrymore Awards for Excellence
for his positive contribution to the regional Philadelphia theater community. The program has been recognized as
“Philadelphia’s Best Theater Group” for five consecutive years by Philly Hot
List.
The Upper Darby Performing Arts Center
is jointly sponsored by Upper Darby Township Mayor and Council and the Upper
Darby School District Board of School Directors through the Department of
Recreation and Leisure Services.
###
