May 15, 2015 – Drexel Hill, PA – Upper Darby Performing Arts Center proudly announces the 40th season of Upper Darby Summer Stage. Tickets for all the shows go on sale May 26.
Upper Darby Summer Stage has been empowering young people and entertaining families since 1976, and has become a summertime tradition for thousands of family members throughout the Philadelphia region.
The series of summer performances includes the Mainstage production, Disney’s Mary Poppins, plus six one-hour Children’s Theater musicals. Performances begin on July 8 and end on August 14 and take place at Upper Darby Performing Arts Center, 601 North Lansdowne Avenue, Drexel Hill, PA. Tickets may be purchased online at www.udpac.org or by calling the box office at 610.622.1189.
The Mainstage musical is the Broadway hit Mary Poppins by the creator of the PBS blockbuster Downton Abbey, Julian Fellowes. Six performances will be presented on July 31, August 1, 8 & 9 at 7:30 pm with two family matinee performances on August 1 and 8 at 1:30 pm. Audience members can meet the cast after the matinee performances! Tickets are only $12-$16.
Mary Poppins is a full-length musical featuring professional directors, choreographers, costume designers, set designers, and technicians, as well as professional musicians in the orchestra. Young adults, up to the age of 28, make up the cast. Mary Poppins is not only appropriate for children ages 8 and up, but will appeal to serious musical theatergoers because of the high-caliber talent and production value. “One thing you can always count on with this company is a solid production with excellent production values,” Stage Magazine.org.
In addition to the Mainstage production, Upper Darby Summer Stage offers six hour-long children’s theater musicals: The Wizard of Oz; Yo, Vikings!; Disney’s Peter Pan, Jr.; Junie B. Jones, the Musical; Disney’s Cinderella, Kids; and Disney’s Aladdin, Jr. Performances begin on July 8 and run every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday through August 14. Specific dates and show times are posted online at www.udpac.org. All Children’s Theater shows are geared toward children four and up. Tickets are affordably priced at $7-$11. 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 babysitting is available for younger family members.
Since 1976, Upper Darby Summer Stage has introduced countless family members from throughout the Philadelphia region to live musical theater. Each summer over 30,000 ticket-holders experience affordable, family-friendly entertainment. Summer Stage is a five time winner of Philadelphia’s Best Theatre Group on the Philly HOT LIST and recently has been recognized as the “The Best Children’s Theater” by Main Line Parent Magazine.
Over 750 young people from the Philadelphia region participate in the program which has become one of the most successful youth theater programs in the country.
In the short span of six weeks Summer Stage presents over 35 performances including the Children’s Theater and Mainstage performances, an evening of scenes and one-acts, a Dance Troupe performance and Cabaret production. Summer Stage’s staff of over 100 professional directors, choreographers, costumers, and technicians is committed to providing excellent musical theater training and high-quality performances for families throughout the region.
Harry Dietzler, Founder and Executive Director, established the Summer Stage program in 1976 and has received the distinguished Lifetime Achievement Award at the Barrymore Awards for Excellence for his positive contribution to the regional Philadelphia theater community.
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.
###
Theater/Organization Upper Darby Summer Stage at Upper Darby Performing Arts Center
Theater/Organization Website: http://www.udpac.org
Theater/Organization Address: 601 N. Lansdowne Avenue Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania 19026 (Map It)
Theater/Organization Phone: (610) 622-1189
