by Guest Reviewer T.E. Klunzinger
If you’re a child of the 1950’s or its reruns, and you remember the movie “Daddy Long Legs” as the quintessential Fred Astaire vehicle, you are strongly advised that this is not that: there is a cast of two, an orchestra of three and really no dancing at all.
But if you venture to the Bestsellers Bookstore in Mason, where the ever-inventive Peppermint Creek Theatre Company is presenting this relatively-recent version of the 1912 book on which both shows are based, you will be treated to a warm, thoughtful and thoroughly delightful little musical.
The story is quite simple: Jerusha Abbott is the oldest occupant of the John Grier Home for Orphans who has shown a talent for writing; one of the Home’s trustees, Jervis Pendleton, thus offers to pay for her college education, anonymously, on the condition that she write to him once a month and he will never write back.
Through her letters, we then see their relationship progress during the four years of college: because they’re both onstage, but not really together, this becomes a little frustrating – we want a duet! (Not to worry, duets arrive in the second act.)
The luminous Rachel Daugherty is perfect as Jerusha, exuding youthful enthusiasm and an inquiring mind while navigating the tricky rhythms of the show’s more than two dozen songs. For most of the show, director Chad Swan-Badgero has her downstage where she belongs.
As Jervis, Jake Przybyla provides excellent complement and support, starting out as something of a cold fish and warming with animation as their relationship blooms.
The show’s music is spare but rich in strings, superbly realized by Music Director John Dillingham. Most of the songs are not particularly tuneful but very much expressive of the character’s emotion of the moment; the show’s best song, “All This Time,” comes at the very end and is well worth waiting for.
In addition to creating a little gem of a show, the director has also created a cozy dark-wood set which is home to five very versatile steamer trunks, while Lighting Designer Joe Dickson has provided an impressive 14-instrument array which imparts a warm historical glow to this tale of a more easy-going world of 110 years ago.
It should be noted that “Daddy Long Legs” had a dual premiere in Ventura and Cincinnati some 14 years ago, then played London’s West End in 2012 before making it to Off-Broadway in 2015 – it has never been on Broadway.
Speaking of London, a side benefit of this venue is that at Booksellers you can enjoy a light dinner before the show, then – as in London - step out to the bar for a drink at the Interval. (https://www.zmenu.com/bestsellers-mason-online-menu/)
Daddy Long Legs runs Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m., Feb. 9 – 12 and 16 - 19, at Bestsellers Books & Coffee Co., 360 S Jefferson, Mason MI 48854. Get tickets at https://peppermintcreek.org/event/daddy-long-legs/