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Love prevails in romantic musical
(by Herb Hammer - November 03, 2011)
THEATER, BY HERB HAMMER
Love prevails in romantic musical
In early 20th-century literature, stories of young, strong-willed teenage girls began to blossom. The most-often revived, aside from Jane Eyre, is Jean Webster's 1912 curious romantic novel, "Daddy Long Legs."
The latest revival of "Daddy Long Legs" is a two-character musical with songs by Paul Gordon and book by John Caird, who also directs. This first offering by Cleveland Play House is being staged at the splendid, remodeled Allen Theatre on Playhouse Square.
Though the songs are pleasant and far short of memorable, they do advance the plot. The instantly predictable, sentimental story is written for audiences who have a need to know the ending five minutes into the play.
The new Allen Theatre upstages the show and is worth a visit, if only for the surroundings.
The plot centers on Jerusha Abbott, an 18-year-old orphan who received her early education while living at the John Grier Home. Now, as luck would have it, an anonymous benefactor pays her way through college, along with enough spending money to help her. All he asks is for her to write to him once a month.
The questions like, why is he doing this and why doesn't he communicate with her, are tossed aside. Their creators keep it simple as the young girl, through her letters, which she sings to us, grows into an independent woman and finally a published author.
The script, unlike the 1955 Fred Astaire movie, sticks closely to Jean Webster's original story.
Jerusha is told that Mr. Smith is the man's name. She dubs him "Daddy Long Legs" for reasons totally unimportant.
Mr. Smith, as he calls himself, is related to one of Jerusha's roommates. When he turns up, there is an instant spark but nothing more.
Of course, they finally get together and fall into each other's arms. At this, the very last moment, audiences are expected to brush back a few tears.
Megan McGinnis, who plays Jerusha, carries the show. The tiny charmer with cascading curls is ever singing with her small, determined alto. She is nearly believable in this unbelievable role.
Robert Adelman Hancock has three names: Mr. Smith, Daddy Long Legs and Jervis, the character's actual name. Mr. Hancock struggles to become a real person. But the story is really about her. And though he sings quite well, he's not as likable as he might have been.
Mr. Caird's directing is cumbersome, especially in Act 1, where he keeps most of the action upstage and to the audience's right. Mr. Hancock is stuck up in this corner for most of the play.
Jerusha's letters hold the play together, turning against Mr. Smith from time to time. She becomes political with her concerns for women's rights.
Many will find "Daddy Long Legs" enchanting. All of the flaws will be forgotten, especially when the two say to each other, "I love you." This is what we have been waiting for for two hours.
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