The newly renamed Skylight Music Theater (formerly Skylight Opera Theater) continues to bring exciting new work to the Milwaukee area. Years ago, Skylight audiences were treated to Midwest premieres of Floyd Collins and The Spitfire Grill. Last season brought the startling, brilliantly staged production of The Adding Machine. With Daddy Long Legs,Skylight proves its artistic direction is right on the money.
Although this new musical has been staged previously in London and a few American cities, it could have been written exclusively for Skylight. It is perfectly tailored for Skylight’s surroundings and its audience. It’s no wonder that Skylight partnered with other producers to revive this 1912 story of an aging orphan and her secret benefactor, whom she refers to in letters as “Daddy Long Legs.”
The musical has two characters and one set. The beautifully constructed design represents “Daddy’s” lavishly appointed library and also the words that connect him to the orphan he chooses to put through college. The set, as well as the actors and the costumes, travel with the show. The actors are accompanied by a small, live orchestra that performs admirably.
As the musical begins, Jerusha Abbott introduces herself in the song, “The Oldest Orphan in the John Grier Home.” The orphanage is situated in New England; the timeframe is around the turn of the century. Jerusha has turned 18 and doesn’t know what will come next in her life. Amazingly, it is a chance to go to college. In those days, sending a girl to college was considered a waste for all but the wealthiest of families. But Jerusha is told of a secret benefactor who was impressed by an essay she wrote at the “home.”
Her patron has some unusual rules by which Jerusha must abide. She must write him a letter each month and not expect any reply. In the letters, she is required to address her benefactor as “Mr.Smith.” Jerusha’s mischievous nature immediately puts these rules to the test as she decides to call her patron, “Daddy Long Legs.”
She finds it difficult to fit into the world of college. In letters, she refers to herself as “Alice in Wonderland.” At first, she flunks her studies and promises to improve. Gradually, she makes friends with another student, a close female relative of “Mr. Smith.” Jerusha does not know this, of course, until his identity is revealed at the end of the show. As Jerusha pours out her heart in letters, her patron starts falling in love with her.
The musical, which consists of about 80 percent songs and 20 percent dialogue, takes the audience along on the couple’s romantic journey. It is old-fashioned and sentimental in the best sense of the words. The music is almost Broadway-caliber in its quality; this isn’t surprising since its author and director, John Caird, has brought many musicals to Broadway. The most notable is “Les Miserables,” which Caird directed. Of the many lovely songs in Daddy Long Legs, “The Secret of Happiness” is perhaps the most memorable.
The show touches on cultural influences of the time. Suffrage is starting to become an issue. Also, Jerusha’s recent poverty puts her in the rare position of seeing what “rich girls do.” (She is mostly unimpressed.) She vows to become a social activist who will improve the conditions of orphanages nationwide.
In the role of Jerusha, Megan McGinnis gives a convincing portrait of a young girl who is quickly becoming a woman. At first, she is sassy and spunky without being a brat; at college, she is proper without being prissy. Best of all, McGinnis sings like a dream. If the show ever hits Broadway, the producers would be crazy to replace her. She floats about the set while she sings, her long dress twirling about her.
Since the show’s focus is almost entirely on Jerusha, Robert Adelman Hancock has less material to work with as her benefactor. At times, he seems almost in her shadow. Hancock cuts quite a figure; he is tall, trim and handsome enough to turn heads in any century. His singing isn’t on a par with McGinnis, but he is extremely likable. They make an adorable couple.
