Summer Stage Presents ELLIOT AND THE MAGIC BED, 7/16-18

Upper Darby Summer Stage presents "Elliot and The Magic Bed," the story of a boy with an endless imagination. Performances are July 16, 17 and 18 at 10:30 a.m. and on July 17 at 7:30 p.m.

Written and composed by Richard Rodgers award-winning Summer Stage alumni Marcus Stevens and Brian Lowdermilk, "Elliot and the Magic Bed" tells the magical story of a boy with a runaway imagination whose bed magically takes him to the lands of the pirates, mermaids and sorcerers.

Four, 70-minute performances of "Elliot and The Magic Bed" will take place on July 16, 17, 18 at 10:30 a.m. and on July 17 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $7 - $10 and can be purchased online at www.udpac.org or by calling the box office: 610.622.1189. Young audience members and their families are invited to come early to the morning performances for fun pre-show activities and to stay after the show to meet cast members! "Elliot and The Magic Bed" is ideal for ages four and up and free babysitting is offered for those who are too young to enjoy the show quietly. The Upper Darby Performing Arts Center is located in Drexel Hill, at 601 N. Lansdowne Avenue, minutes from the Main Line and Center City. Parking is free.

Elliot (Michaela Henry of Prospect Park) has a wild imagination that often gets him in trouble in school. He decides to escape reality for a bit with an adventure. Alongside his mom (Jacqueline Rooney of Springfield), the two travel through mystical lands making friends with mermaids, pirates and wizards all while on a quest to retrieve a magic clock from the dark sorcerer, Basil Gruesome (Danny Walsh of Aldan). Through his adventures, Elliot learns that although his imaginations may appear fantastic, there really is no better place than with the ones you love.

"Nowadays, with more and more virtual distractions, we need to take the time to imagine in the small moments that surround us," Director and Springfield resident, Nick Hunchak said. "Elliot is a great show that teaches us to listen to the imagination in others, slow down and take the time to travel with a mermaid to the moon or even plunder with a pirate."

Audience members are encouraged to bring in new toys and books for the "To Fill the World with Love" Toy/Book Drive. Contributors will eligible for a chance to win a train set provided by Bachmann Trains. Upper Darby Summer Stage is partnering with Bachmann Trains and the Delaware County Library System to benefit the young patients at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Drop-off bins will be located on site at Upper Darby Performing Arts Center.

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.

Photo Credit: Cate R. Paxson