No, it’s not a sequel to Arachnophobia. In fact, this new show at the Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park has nothing creepy about it. It’s a brand-new, charming musical and the title is an affectionate name an orphan uses to address her anonymous supporter in a series of letters — which composer Paul Gordon has turned into songs. Jean Webster’s 1912 novel about growing up has inspired several films (including one in 1935 with Shirley Temple, Curly Top, and another with Fred Astaire in 1955, also called Daddy Long Legs, though it was more about dancing). But this version, adapted by John Caird, sticks close to Webster’s original and the story of Jerusha Abbott, age 18 and about to leave an orphanage where she’s been raised.
Caird took this tale, created the character of her benefactor, Jervis Pendleton, and worked with Gordon to give it a refreshingly musical score. It’s only been onstage twice before, so the Playhouse production offers you another chance to see a work winding its way across America and perhaps to Broadway. Caird, by the way, knows the way since he directed the original production of the megahit musical Les Misérables (for which he won a Tony Award). He also staged the Playhouse’s production of Emma last season, another work with music by Gordon.
Through April 10. $25-$67. Get showtimes, tickets and find nearby bars and restaurants here. Read Tom McElfresh’s review here.
This article appears in Mar 10-16, 2010.
