Spinning Tree Opens Season 8 With Musical DADDY LONG LEGS

Spinning Tree Theatre proudly opens the 2018-19 season August 17 - September 2 with the Kansas City premiere of Daddy Long Legs, the 2015 Off-Broadway musical based on Jean Webster's 1912 novella. With book by John Caird (original director, Les Misérables) and music and lyrics by Paul Gordon (composer, Jane Eyre), Daddy Long Legs won the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Book of a Musical.

Daddy Long Legs tells the story of orphan Jerusha Abbott of the John Grier Home and her mysterious benefactor who agrees to send her to college if she will write him one letter a month. Jerusha refers to him as "Daddy Long Legs" after seeing only his elongated shadow.

Spinning Tree Artistic Director and Co-Founder Michael Grayman-Parkhurst: "Daddy Long Legs feels like a perfect Season Eight opener. This romantic musical is full of heart, wit and hope - a charming tale with a contemporary feel. Our audiences love it when we produce new chamber musicals, and we have a feeling Daddy Long Legs is going to quietly thrill."

Director Sarah Crawford makes her Spinning Tree debut. Samantha McHenry, who recently played Jerusha Abbott in the Dallas premiere of the musical, acts opposite John Cleary as Jervis Pendleton. Crawford and Jeremy Jacobs share music directing duties, with Jacobs on piano.

The Daddy Long Legs team includes stage manager Ashley Pike, lighting designer Nicole Jaja, costume designer Mary Traylor, scenic designer Julia Ubert, sound designer Jeff Eubank, properties designer Eric Palmquist.

More information including performance dates and times at www.spinningtreetheatre.com.