Tickets go on sale June 2! NOW!
A Philadelphia-region summer tradition, Summer Stage announces the family-friendly line-up at Upper Darby Performing Arts Center
May 21, 2014 – Drexel Hill, PA – Upper Darby Performing Arts Center proudly announces the 39th season of Upper Darby Summer Stage! Tickets go on sale June 2. Since 1976 the family-friendly musical theater series has been a Delaware Valley summer tradition. The series includes six one-hour Children’s Theater musicals and the Mainstage production “Shrek the Musical.”
Performances begin on July 9 and take place at Upper Darby Performing Arts Center, 601 N. Lansdowne Avenue, Drexel Hill, PA. The air conditioned, stadium-style theater is wheel-chair accessible and offers free parking. Tickets may be purchased online at www.udpac.org or by calling the box office at 610.622.1189. Tickets for the Children’s Theater shows are $7 – $10 and for the Mainstage production, $12 – $15.
The 2014 Upper Darby Summer Stage season includes six Children’s Theater shows:
- “The Circle of Life,” featuring songs from Disney shows – July 9, 10, 11 at 10:30 am and July 10 at 7:30 pm
- “Elliot and the Magic Bed,” a magical adventure by award-winning Summer Stage alumnus, Marcus Stevens, who is now on Broadway – July 16, 17, 18 at 10:30 am and July 17 at 7:30 pm
- “Doctor Doolittle, Jr.” based on the beloved movie musical – July 23, 24, 25 at 10:30 am and July 24 at 7:30 pm
- “School House Rock Live Jr.,” the pop culture phenomenon – July 30, 31 and August 1 at 10:30 am and July 31 at 7:30 pm
- “Honk, Jr.,” a modern twist on the classic, “The Ugly Duckling” – August 6, 7, 8 at 10:30 am and August 7 at 7:30 pm
- Disney’s “Alice in Wonderland, Jr.,” featuring favorite songs like Zip-a-dee-doo-dah and The Unbirthday Song – August 13, 14, 15 at 10:30 am and August 14 at 7:30 pm
The Children’s Theater performances are musicals that are approximately 70 minutes long without intermission and are geared toward children four and up. Audience members are encouraged to come early to enjoy pre-show activities during the morning performances and stay after the show for autographs and photographs with cast members. Free babysitting is available for younger family members.
The Mainstage show “Shrek the Musical,” based on the Oscar-winning DreamWorks film, is presented on August 1, 2, 8 and 9, at 7:30 pm with a matinee on August 9 at 1:30 pm. The Broadway caliber, full-length production features professional directors, choreographers, costume designers, set designers, technicians, as well as professional musicians in the orchestra. Young adults, up to the age of 28, make up the cast, and the Mainstage production is appropriate for children ages 8 and up and will appeal to serious musical theatergoers because of the high-caliber talent and production value.
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 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. Summer Stage 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.
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