FORBIDDEN BROADWAY's Marcus Stevens Visits Upper Darby Summer Stage

Marcus Stevens, presently starring in "Forbidden Broadway: Comes Out Swinging," made a special appearance in Drexel Hill, PA yesterday to meet the cast and enjoy his musical, "Elliot and the Magic Bed." Stevens wrote the book and lyrics for "Elliot" and Brian Lowdermilk, one half of the successful singer-songwriting duo, Kerrigan-Lowdermilk, composed the music and wrote the lyrics with Stevens. The musical was originally commissioned for Upper Darby Summer Stage in 2003.

The two successful New York theatre professionals are Delaware County, PA natives who met while they were students at Strathhaven High School. They both participated in the Upper Darby Summer Stage program.

The story of "Elliot" finds a special place in the hearts of parents because of its message about finding time to spend with family.

In addition to "Elliot," Stevens and Lowdermilk have collaborated on several projects including the Richard Rogers Award-winning musical Red. Both are residents of New York City and have established successful theatrical careers that include writing, composing, performing and coaching.

Presently Brian Lowdermilk works with Kait Kerrigan - both are Upper Darby Summer Stage alumni - and together they made their off-Broadway debut in 2006 with their adaptation of "Henry and Mudge" a Theatreworks USA production that is touring nationally. In 2011 they released their first album Our First Mistake which hit #1 on the iTunes Singer/Songwriter chart. They have collaborated on numerous musicals and song projects.

Marcus Stevens is starring in the off-Broadway hit "Forbidden Broadway: Comes Out Swinging." The show has received outstanding reviews including CBS Radio calling the show, "searingly funny with an uber-talented cast." Stevens is featured on the original cast recording, scheduled for release on July 22, 2014. In the musical spoof of recent Broadway shows, Stevens pokes fun at Broadway stars such as Mandy Patinkin, Woody Allen and Harvey Fierstein.

In addition to his off-Broadway experience Stevens received a Barrymore nomination for his role as Motel in Walnut Street Theatre's "Fiddler on the Roof" and has secured leading roles in numerous theatrical productions. He has written several children's musicals.

"Elliot and the Magic Bed" is the story of Elliot a boy with a runaway imagination whose bed magically takes him to the lands of the pirates, mermaids and sorcerers.

For Stevens, "It was essentially the beginning of my life as a professional writer. What I never imagined then was how beloved the show would become to the Summer Stage community. This is its third production and it is so amazing to me to see a brand new generation taking to it in the same way the first one did. In a way, I feel like I've left a legacy. And that means a whole lot, especially when I consider how much Summer Stage has impacted my life."

Upper Darby Summer Stage not only provides over 700 young participants with a place to learn about musical theater, but it is a haven for young theatre professionals to develop their craft, be it directing, choreographing, costume designing, and for Stevens and Lowdermilk, writing and composing. "Harry Dietzler and the Summer Stage family provided me with my first commission, my first full production, and the thrill of seeing dozens of dancing mermaids dancing to my music," said Brian Lowdermilk. "What an honor to see 'Elliot' return - and how exciting to see a whole new crop of talented Summer Stagers up on stage.

The Upper Darby Performing Arts Center is jointly sponsored by the Upper Darby School District Board of School Directors and Upper Darby Township Mayor and Council through the Department of Recreation and Leisure Services.

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