THE HANGOVER REPORT – DADDY LONG LEGS is sweetly predictable

IMG_4289Last night I saw the sweet, by-the-books musical two-hander Daddy Long Legs at Off-Broadway’s Davenport Theatre. The show is an adaptation of Jean Webster’s novel of the same name concerning the unlikely budding romance between an orphan girl (Jerusha, played by Megan McGinnis) and her benefactor (Jervis, played by Paul Alexander Nolan). Rest assured, any hint of Gigi-like subversiveness is quickly dispelled and replaced by a sanitized Little Women tone. This is all well and good, although the final turn of events remains unconvincing.

The pleasantly generic score by Paul Gordon goes down as smooth as silk. If you enjoyed his work in Jane Eyre – a piece that shares more than a passing resemblance to this musical – you’re likely to be beguiled by the music here. Although Daddy Long Leg’s score is less ambitious than that previous score, Mr. Gordon’s talents are better suited to intimate, chamber-sized theatrical endeavors such as Daddy. Admittedly, I was charmed by the unforced loveliness and directness of songs like “The Secret of Happiness” and “Like Other Girls”.

The direction by John Caird (who also wrote the book), which takes place on David Farley’s detailed library set, is admirably efficient. Mr. Caird’s theatrical use of trunks, which are rearranged in various configurations throughout the show, recalls his work in other shows, most notably his excellent revival of Bernstein’s Candide for the National Theatre more than a decade ago.

Although the material threatens to veer towards monotonous blandness and triteness (the show is essentially two-plus hours worth of squeaky-clean sung letters), the quality of the two performances handily and thoroughly eclipses any impending disaster. Megan McGinnis, in particular, is giving a disarmingly lovely performance as the spirited, spunky Jerusha. It’s a breakthrough performance that’s a refreshing breath of fresh air. Paul Alexander Nolan has in recent years impressively made the transition from the Stratford Festival’s go-to musical leading man to a steadily-employed New York theater talent. Here, in the thankless role of Jervis, Mr. Nolan shows just enough stubbornness and subtle charm to flesh out a somewhat underwritten role. Both stirringly sing Mr. Gordon’s earnest score with commitment and heart.

In this era of satiric, over-amplified musicals that hit you over the head with the best that money can buy, it’s refreshing to come across a musical that has a gentle spirit without a single ironic bone in its body.

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DADDY LONG LEGS
Off-Broadway, Play
Davenport Theatre
2 hours, 10 minutes (including one intermission)
Open run

Categories: Off-Broadway, Theater

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