Ticket sales are currently underway for the 48th season of Upper Darby Summer Stage at the Upper Darby Performing Arts Center. Performances this summer will include popular fairy tale classics, three Summer Stage premieres, and Broadway’s Tony award-winning, Memphis. Above, cast members from last season’s production of Disney’s “Moana Jr.” (COURTESY PHOTO)
UPPER DARBY — Upper Darby Summer Stage has kicked off its ticket sales for a thrilling lineup of musical theater performances by talented young people this summer.
The season opens on July 5 with Disney’s “High School Musical 2 Jr.,” in which Troy, Gabriella and the whole Wildcat gang find summer jobs at the country club to the tune of iconic hits “Fabulous,” “Work This Out” and “You Are The Music In Me.”
Up next comes the premiere of “Matilda Jr.,” a witty ode to the anarchy of childhood and the power of imagination. Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast Jr.” plays the following week, transporting theater-goers to the Beast’s enchanted castle populated by the likes of Lumiere, Cogsworth and Mrs. Potts.
July closes out with performances of “The Three Little Pigs,” a charming tale of adventure from the award-winning musical writers of “Honk!” and Broadway’s “Mary Poppins.”
August begins with Rodgers & Hammerstein’s “Cinderella: Youth Edition,” a traditional take on the fairy tale that casts a spell with its timeless beauty and enchanting melodies.
Finally, Children’s Theatre culminates with the highly anticipated Summer Stage premiere of Disney’s “Finding Nemo Jr.,” which brings a vibrant underwater world to life on stage in a story full of family, friendship and adventure.
The six Children’s Theatre shows begin July 5 and end on August 10, one debuting each week.
The four performances of each show take place Wednesday and Thursday at 10:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m.
All performances take place at Upper Darby Performing Arts Center, 601 N. Lansdowne Ave., Drexel Hill.
Tickets for Children Theatre shows are $11 to $15 and tickets for the Mainstage show are $18 to $22. Tickets may be purchased online at or by calling the box office at 610-814-7270.
Also in late July and early August, this season’s Mainstage offering, “Memphis,” invites audiences into the underground dance clubs of 1950’s Memphis, Tennessee, for a Broadway hit that bursts off the stage with dancing, songs and a thrilling tale of fame and forbidden love.
Winner of Broadway’s “triple crown” for Best Book, Best Original Score and Best Musical, “Memphis” is filled with laughs, thrills, and rock ‘n’ roll music penned by Bon Jovi founding member David Bryan.
The Mainstage performances are recommended for teens and adults, and those showtimes are July 28 at 7:30 p.m., July 29 at 1:30 and 7:30 p.m., and Aug. 4 and 5 at 7:30 p.m.
Entertaining over 30,000 ticket holders every summer from the metro region, Upper Darby Summer Stage is known as one of the most successful and longest running youth-theater programs in the country.
Over 125 Summer Stage staff members who are professional directors, choreographers, costumers, and technicians are committed to providing excellent musical theater training for students, and high-quality performances for families.
KEVIN TUSTIN – MEDIANEWS GROUP
An event in 2019 in the Upper Darby Performing Arts Center.
Summer Stage Children’s Theatre is an immersive experience that begins at the entrance of the Upper Darby Performing Arts Center, where kids and families are greeted by invigorating sights and sounds that set the scene for the show as well as enthusiastic show participants eager to welcome visitors.
Upper Darby Summer Stage is a program of the nonprofit Upper Darby Arts & Education Foundation, which has been serving the Upper Darby community for 25 years.
Heinz Refuge holds free family fishing days
The John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge in Tinicum Township will host free family fishing days, noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, June 17 and Thursday, Aug. 10 at the site, 8601 Lindbergh Blvd., Philadelphia. No fishing license is required.
Volunteers will help visitors hook their first fish. Rods and bait will be available for loan or visitors can bring their own. All ages are welcome. For more information, visit
St. John’s holds blood drive this week
St. John Chrysostom Parish, 615 S. Providence Road, Wallingford, will host a summer blood drive on Friday, June 9 from 1 to 6 p.m. in the lower church hall.
Needed are Blood Types A, B, and O to save lives this summer. To sign up to donate blood, visit
PennDOT hosts hiring event for local open positions
PennDOT will host hiring events at its Chester and Delaware County maintenance facilities in an effort to reach qualified candidates to fill vacancies.
Those interested in a career with PennDOT are encouraged to attend one of the following events:
• Wednesday, June 14, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Chester County Maintenance Facility, 711 Ryan Blvd., Coatesville. For more information, call 484-340-3200.
• Thursday, June 15, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Delaware County Maintenance Facility, 426 S. Old Middletown Road, Media. For more information, call 610-566-0972.
Applicants are encouraged to view open positions and submit their application through the employment website, whether they can or cannot attend the hiring event, at
Prospective candidates may also view other positions on the employment website available in the Philadelphia region and statewide and do not have to live in the county to qualify for a job.
Examples of open positions include transportation equipment operators, transportation operator trainee, diesel construction equipment mechanic, automotive mechanic and highway maintenance worker.
If for any reason an applicant cannot complete an application on the website before the scheduled hiring event, staff with laptops will be available at both locations to help interested participants navigate the electronic application system.
For positions that require a Commercial Driver’s License, PennDOT will conduct on-the-spot interviews for CDL operators.
Driving tests will also be administered the same day, if available. CDL operators should bring their current driver’s license and medical examiner certificate to the job fair.
Requirements for a CDL will be posted on the job description on the employment website. PennDOT will train an employee for a CDL if hired for the Transportation Equipment Operator Trainee position.
Havertown Irish Festival announces lineup
The Kelly Center for Music, Arts and Community in Havertown has announced the music lineup and schedule for the Havertown Irish Festival, noon to 8 p.m. Saturday June 10.
The free annual outdoor festival has moved this year to a new location at 50 E. Eagle Road, to accommodate two stages and a Crafter Village. The main stage will feature top Irish Bands from around the region. The acoustic stage will offer a mix solos and duos.
The main stage:
• 2 p.m., Brian Fox, bagpiper, with Shannon Daly, national anthems
• 2:30 p.m., John Byrne Band
• 3:30 p.m., Emerald Isle Dancers
• 3:45 p.m., Jamison
• 5:20 p.m., Tan and Sober Gentlemen
• 6:45 p.m., Reilly’s Daughter featuring Tommy Conwell.
The acoustic stage:
• Noon, Peeks
• 12:30 p.m., JP Bohannon
• 1 p.m., Shannon Daly
• 1:30 p.m. Kate Assiran
• 2 p.m., Annabelle Soley
• 2:30 p.m., Two Thirds Trio
• 3 p.m., Nik Rose
• 3:30 p.m. Holligan Jack
• 4 p.m. Bianca Bilc
• 4:30 p.m. Peeks.
More information on performers and more details about the festival, can be found at
Readers can send community news and photos to Peg DeGrassa at [email protected].