PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — Upper Darby Summer Stage is a renowned youth theater camp that gives hundreds of local kids the chance to perform in Broadway style musicals, right here in our backyard.<\/p>\n
It’s been an incredible moment for this camp, and the campers, who were chosen to present the world premiere of a brand new production of “Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile: The Musical Jr.”<\/p>\n
“This is a pilot production, which means we are actually one of the first theater organizations in the country to be premiering this new title,” says Chris Luner, the artistic and managing director at Upper Darby Summer Stage. “It’s really, really exciting.”<\/p>\n
Based on the award-winning book and film, it features the music of EGOT composers Benj Pasek from Ardmore, Pennsylvania, and his writing partner Justin Paul.<\/p>\n
Pat Walsh is directing this production featuring 63 young stars.<\/p>\n
“‘Lyle, Lyle Crocodile’ is about a singing crocodile who wants to perform but has really intense stage fright and needs to learn to feel safe around the people he’s with before he’s opening up and performing for them,” says Walsh. “And that’s what we’re teaching the students performing in this show as well.”<\/p>\n
Cristian Fabian, 15, plays Lyle.<\/p>\n
“A big message that Lyle can show the audience is just to how to break out of your shell and how to be confident,” says Fabian.<\/p>\n
Javier Cordoba, 14, plays the magician Hector.<\/p>\n
“I just really hope that like people love the story and it becomes a really popular show that more people can do in the future,” says Cordoba.<\/p>\n
The real magic here is that this cast is staging the show in just three weeks.<\/p>\n
“Over the course of the summer, we’re doing nine full productions, which is crazy,” says Luner. “We have around 500 students just in children’s theater alone, and between 900 and 1,000 for all of Summer Stage in general.”<\/p>\n
The storied program is celebrating its 51st year, and has produced some household names.<\/p>\n
“Tina Fey, David Cornswet, the newest Superman,” says Luner. “Summer Stage is the place to be during the summer. I like to say it’s Delaware County’s best summer tradition.”<\/p>\n
“Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile: The Musical Jr.” runs August 4-6 at Haverford High School Performing Arts Center.<\/p>\n
Disney’s “Tarzan” is also on stage now there as well.<\/p>\n