UPPER DARBY SUMMER STAGE TO CONCLUDE VIRTUAL SEASON WITH 45th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION ONLINE

DREXEL HILL, PA – August 3, 2020 – Upper Darby Summer Stage, which responded to the pandemic with online programs for nearly 400 participants and more than 75 staff members, will celebrate its historic 45th season with a free streaming extravaganza on Thursday, August 13, at 8:00 p.m.

The closing night of any Summer Stage season typically features the Harry Awards, named for founder and executive artistic director Harry Dietzler, to recognize top performances from each year’s Children’s Theater, Performing Starts and Mainstage productions. The 2020 Harry’s are being expanded to celebrate the program’s 45th anniversary with a virtual reunion and special guest appearances from prominent Summer Stage alumni.

“We also want to say ‘thank you’ to the hundreds of contributors to our That’s The Ticket fundraiser. They helped make it possible for Summer Stage to continue this year, even without use of the Performing Arts Center (PAC),” Dietzler said. The campaign raised over $30,000 by asking long-time Summer Stage patrons to donate a portion of their unspent ticket dollars to help keep the program going despite coronavirus.

“This is a free show and open to the public,” Dietzler added, “and we hope all Summer Stagers—past and present—will log on, along with thousands from our community that we’d normally see at the PAC. We think it’s so
important to maintain the connections that have always been the foundation of our program.”

Upper Darby Summer Stage is jointly sponsored by the Upper Darby School District Board of Directors and Upper Darby Township Mayor and Council. It is a Best of the Main Line honoree and a recipient of the Barrymore Award for Lifetime Achievement.

The 2020 Harry’s and 45th anniversary celebration can be seen via the Summer Stage website at summerstage.udfoundation.org