By Steven Witkowski
Daddy-Long-Legs is a hit musical set in the early 20th century. Its beautiful message has traveled from Broadway to London’s West end to Tokyo and now here in Utah for a regional premiere. Based off the novel of the same name published in 1914 by Jean Webster, Daddy-Long-Legs this American tale of charity and love is a real gift from Draper Arts Council and Director Kristen Hickman.
Jerusha Abbott (Sarah Ogden) is a teenage girl living and working at the John Grier Home Orphanage. She struggles with her daily chores overseen by her cold, harsh head matron Mrs. Lippett until the day one of the home’s trustees agrees to send her to college to study writing, paying all education expenses, including room and board. Jerusha must simply write to her benefactor Jervis Pendleton (Chris Kennedy) keeping him up to date on her writing improvements. Oh, one more thing, Mr. Pendleton has chosen to remain anonymous. The letters to be addressed to a mysterious “Mr. Smith.”
Jerusha explains in her first letter she will call him “Daddy Long Legs”. Each letter written from Jerusha to Daddy is delivered by one of two beautiful voices. Ogden and Kennedy don’t disappoint as they sit, pen pals, onstage singing to one another from first impression to final number. One song in particular beginning each line with a “P.S.” was definitely a favorite until the magical number which ends the play. Cute one-liners are not overpowered by several moving musical performances by the cast of two as they work magnificently, reading through a young woman’s letters detailing her struggles as an orphan away at college in 1914 America.
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I can’t compliment the production enough on the set design and the actors’ use of the stage, thanks to Hickman’s flawless directing. As we watch young Jerusha grow older and wiser in her college dorm, we have a constant parallel storyline to follow as Jervis Pendleton sits in his lonely New York work space. Both rooms are simple but perfect, divided by a wall that becomes increasingly significant as we track their relationship. Wall between them Jerusha and Pendleton are at times so close they can feel it and other times they’re an entire stage apart. The lighting, along with clever use of some large, true to the era trunks allowed for the creation of several other spaces beyond the two separate rooms we focus on for most of the production. No matter where your eye may fall throughout the two hour performance, you’ll be hard pressed to look away. Ogden and Kennedy both look spectacular in their costumes, also a changing of costumes onstage is a uniquely done, rarely seen, feature of this director’s carefully managed work. I really enjoyed their look throughout.
I must give kudos to the musical talent that drives this production. The incredible “young” (inside joke) two voices accompanied by the piano, guitar, and cello. And the symphony of crickets that only add to the experience you’ll share at Draper Amphitheater. Check the weather and maybe bring a blanket to snuggle up in and get down to this beautiful theater in Draper and enjoy one of the best productions you’ll see there this year.
Draper Arts Council presents Daddy Long Legs, by John Caird and Paul Gordon Draper Amphitheater, 944 vestry Rd, Draper, UT 84020 September 8, 9, 11, 14, 15 7:30 PM Tickets: Adults $10.00; Children 12 and under $7.00 Contact: 385-351-9468 Draper Arts Council Facebook Page
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