BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, JR. Caps Off Upper Darby Summer Stage's 42nd Season

Upper Darby Summer Stage wraps up a tour de force 42nd season with the smash hit "Disney's Beauty and the Beast, Jr!"

Due to its popularity, all four "Beauty and the Beast" performances have sold out and a fifth show has been added! It's not too late for audience members to get tickets for the August 8 performance at 10:30 am. Tickets for the August 8 show are limited.

A tale as old as time, "Disney's Beauty and the Beast, Jr." is based on the Academy award-winning motion picture and celebrated Broadway production. The stage performance features some of the most popular songs ever written by Alan Menken ("Wicked," "Aladdin," "The Little Mermaid," "Pocahontas") and the late Howard Ashman including "Human Again" and the ultimate crowd favorite "Be Our Guest!"

Tickets are affordably priced at $8-$12 and members of The Upper Darby Performing Arts Center save $1. Tickets may be purchased at udpac.org or by calling the box office at 610.622.1189. The Upper Darby Performing Arts Center is located at 601 N. Lansdowne Avenue, minutes from the Main Line, Center City and the Blue Route.

Upper Darby Summer Stage will transform into a bucolic French small-town where the studious Belle lives a simplistic life with her father, an eccentric inventor. When Belle's (Lauren Dietzler of Glenolden) father doesn't return home from a local fair, she sets out on a search to find him. Belle discovers her father has been held captive in a castle owned by a cursed Beast (Mike Weir of Drexel Hill). Discouraged by what she's come upon, she trades her freedom for her father's and finds herself trapped in a magical world with talking and dancing dinnerware. As the town favorite and obnoxious villain, Gaston (Joe Matthews of Havertown) tries to win Belle over, will she be able to help transform the Beast into the prince he once was?

The performance is approximately 60 - 70 minutes with no intermission. Parking is free. The show is recommended for ages four and up with free babysitting in the lobby offered for those who may be too young to sit quietly through the entire show.

Director Chris Monaco says that besides an entertaining experience for the younger ones, the show offers life lessons including "figuring how to look past somebody's flaws and learning the so-called flaws are what makes him or her special. It's a great lesson for the younger kids to learn, earlier than later in life."

Choreographer Marie McVeigh of Havertown, speaks about the dynamic dancing in this production. "The dancing in this show truly drives the story line, emphasizing the personality of each character," said McVeigh. "Be Our Guest' is my favorite number because of the intricate movements, the energy, and personality the cast is giving."

A Summer Stage show is a unique experience for all ages. Prior to the children's performances young audience members can enjoy pre-show activities and after each show, Upper Darby Summer Stage invites ticket-holders to a meet-and-greet with characters after each show. Autographs and pictures are encouraged!

For more information about "Disney Beauty and the Beast Jr." and Upper Darby Summer Stage's 42nd season visit udpac.org.

The Upper Darby Performing Arts Center and Upper Darby Summer Stage are 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.

Upper Darby Summer Stage celebrates 42 seasons empowering young people and entertaining families. Each season the program presents six dynamic Children's Theater productions and one professional caliber Mainstage production.

Summer Stage offers programs for students beginning at age 11 in the Apprentice Program and has participants up to age 28 in the Mainstage productions. Programs available include the Apprentice Program (11-12 yrs.), Rising Stars (12-13 yrs.), Children's Theater (14-17 yrs.), and Mainstage (18-28 yrs.). Summer Stage also offers an outstanding technical theater program for students ages 14 to 18.

Upper Darby Summer Stage is not only a great place to see a spectacular show, but also a great place for students to grow as artists and as people! Visit udpac.org for more information.

Pictured: Mike Weir of Drexel Hill as the Beast, Lauren Dietzler of Glenolden as Belle, and Joe Matthews of Havertown as Gaston. Photo by Cate R. Paxson.

To post a comment, you must register and login.