In celebration of the book’s 70th anniversary, Enchantment Theatre Company brings the beloved “My Father’s Dragon” to the stage, 2 p.m. March 17, Miller Symphony Hall, Allentown.

Enchantment Theatre Company Artistic Directors Landis Smith, his wife Jennifer Smith, and Leslie Reidel collaborated to adapt author Ruth Stiles Gannett’s three tales of nine-year-old Elmer Elevator and Boris the Dragon.

The show’s score is by Charles Gilbert, composer of Enchantment’s “Peter Rabbit Tales.” The production design is by C. David Russell, designer for Enchantment’s “Peter Rabbit Tales.”

“Elmer wants to learn to fly,” says Landis Smith in a phone interview. “And he has all kinds of adventures trying to outsmart the wild animals and free the baby dragon. It’s a classic tale of searching out and rescuing.”

“My Father’s Dragon” was written in 1948 when it was named “Children’s Book of the Year” by the New York Herald Tribune. It went on to become a Newbury Honor book and one of the New York Public Library’s “100 Greatest Children’s Books.”

With puppets, masks, projections on screens and original music, Smith and his team transform the story book into a live-action performance.

“Sometimes the dragon is a puppet,” he says, “and sometimes the dragon is an actor wearing a costume.

“The way we depict the dragon is very important. The actor who plays the dragon is a very strong and robust talent. He manages to become the dragon simply by wearing a simple mask. The projection screen provides the illusion of flight.”

Smith believes that the experience of theater-going is important for all ages. “It’s an opportunity to value an experience over a thing, to be off our phones, away from screens.”

Smith also believes that the live production of “My Father’s Dragon” can touch all ages, not just young children:

“It’s a good story about friendship, about going on a mission of good to help someone. The adults are not going to be at all bored by it. It’s really very charming. There are many different types of magic in it. Grandpa will enjoy it as much as his grandchildren.”

Pre-show activities for children are at 12:30 p.m. March 17, Rodale Community Room, Miller Symphony Hall.

Tickets: Miller Symphony Hall box office, 23 N. Sixth St., Allentown; allentownsymphony.org; 610-432-6715