TheatreWorks Presents DADDY LONG LEGS 1/20-2/14/2010

TheatreWorks, the nationally acclaimed theatre of Silicon Valley, is thrilled to present a sparkling new musical romance, DADDY LONG LEGS, based on the beloved novel by Jean Webster. Tony Award-winning co-director and adapter of Les Misérables John Caird joins forces with Paul Gordon, composer of TheatreWorks' triumphant hit Emma, to tell the story of Jerusha Abbott, a talented orphan sent to a prestigious college by an anonymous benefactor. Featuring Broadway ingénue Megan McGinnis and regional favorite Robert Adelman Hancock, with set and costumes by Tony Award-winning designer David Farley (2008 Broadway revival of Sunday in the Park with George,) and John Caird at the helm, DADDY LONG LEGS plays January 20-February 14 (press opening January 23) at TheatreWorks at the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts, and is a co-world premiere with Rubicon Theatre Company and Cincinnati Playhouse. For tickets and information, the public may call 650-463-1960 or visit www.theatreworks.org.

Set in New England in the early 1900's, DADDY LONG LEGS is the story of Jerusha Abbott, a talented orphan with a wry sense of humor sent to a prestigious college by an anonymous benefactor. With the stipulation that she write him monthly letters, and having only seen a glimpse of his elongated shadow on a wall, she whimsically dubs him "Daddy Long Legs." Revealed through her witty wistful letters, her journey to independence, education, and romance chronicles the emergence of a delightfully liberated and self-confident American woman. DADDY LONG LEGS at TheatreWorks is the second presentation of this co-world premiere with Rubicon Theatre Company and Cincinnati Playhouse. Variety lauded its presentation at Rubicon as "keen and winning," while Back Stage praised the show's "gorgeous melodies and eloquent lyrics."

John Caird (director, book) is best known for his Tony and Olivier Award-winning creations, Les Misérables and Nicholas Nickleby. Many of his productions have been for the National Theatre in London, including Hamlet with Simon Russell Beale, Money, Trelawny of the Wells, The Seagull, Stanley, and Humbleboy as well as Caird's own new versions of Peter Pan and Leonard Bernstein's Candide. Mr. Caird is an Honorary Associate Director of the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC), where he has directed over twenty plays. Other work includes Andrew Lloyd Webber's Song and Dance at the Palace Theatre, Mozart's Zaide at the Battignano Opera Festival in Tuscany and the Siegfried and Roy Spectacular in Las Vegas.

Mr. Caird's most recent stage work includes productions of A Midsummer Night's Dream and Twelfth Night for the Royal Dramatic Theatre in Stockholm, Michael Weller's new play What the Night is For at the Comedy Theatre with Gillian Anderson and Roger Allam, and the transfer of Les Misérables to its new home at the Queen's Theatre. Published works as a book writer, adapter, and lyricist include a new version of John Gay's Beggar's Opera with composer Ilona Sekacz, first performed at the RSC and the National, Children of Eden with composer Stephen Schwartz, and a new highly acclaimed opera, Brief Encounter, with music by André Previn. Caird and Paul Gordon have worked together previously on a musical adaptation of Jane Eyre, which was performed at TheatreWorks in 2002, and went on to enjoy a successful Broadway run. With Holly Kendrick, Mr. Caird founded the Caird Company to encourage and promote the work of young playwrights and theatre directors. Current Productions include Theatre Café at the Arcola Theatre and The Arab-Israeli Cookbook at the Gate Theatre.

Paul Gordon (music and lyrics) penned the music, lyrics, and book for the sensational TheatreWorks hit, Emma. In 2000, Gordon was nominated for a Tony Award for composing the music and lyrics for the hit Broadway musical Jane Eyre with Tony Award-winner John Caird. Gordon's other credits include writing music and lyrics for the contemporary pop opera Greetings From Venice Beach and The Magnificent Ambersons with Jay Gruska. He has written for, and collaborated with, numerous recording artists, including Bette Midler, Quincy Jones, Alanis Morrisette, Smokey Robinson, and Dionne Warwick, has several hit songs to his credit, and is the recipient of nine ASCAP awards for song-writing. Additionally, Gordon co-wrote the theme to the hit television series Ally McBeal, with Vonda Shepard.

Megan McGinnis received special accolades as the delightful and witty orphan, Jerusha Abbott at Rubicon Theatre, with Variety calling her "magical," and the Los Angeles Times applauding her for her "completely winning performance." New York credits include originating the role of Beth in the musical of Little Women. Other Broadway roles include Belle in Beauty and the Beast, Lucille in Thoroughly Modern Millie, Cosette in the recent revival of Les Miserables (directed by John Caird), Parade, and The Diary of Anne Frank.

Robert Adelman Hancock assays the role of the long-legged Jervis Pendleton, a role he helped to develop in workshops. Credits include Sky in the national tour of Mamma Mia!, and regional productions of Fiddler on the Roof (Rubicon Theatre), James Joyce's The Dead (Court Theatre, Chicago), The Fantasticks (Utah Shakespeare Festival), Hair (Hangar Theatre), the original cast of Route 66 (Milwaukee Repertory Theatre), Forever Plaid (Barrymore Nomination - Delaware Theatre Company), Muscle (World Premiere by Lapine/Finn at Pegasus Players Chicago), and A Christmas Carol (Westport Country Playhouse).

Olivier and Tony Award-winner David Farley designed the period sets and costumes for DADDY LONG LEGS. Farley recently received rave reviews for his inventive West End and Broadway designs for Sunday in the Park with George and is currently designing the Broadway revival of A Little Night Music with Angela Lansbury and Catherine Zeta-Jones. Other credits include the Broadway premiere of Little Shop of Horrors, Jeremy Sams' musical 13, The Rocky Horror Show in Berlin, Take Flight, The Last Five Years, tick, tick BOOM!, and Sweeney Todd (Meiner Chocolate Factory).

TheatreWorks is currently celebrating its 40th anniversary season. With approximately 9,000 subscribers and 100,000 patrons per year, TheatreWorks has captured a national reputation for artistic innovation and integrity, often presenting Bay Area theatregoers with their first look at acclaimed musicals, comedies, and dramas, directed by award-winning local and guest directors, and performed by professional actors cast from across the country.

FOR CALENDAR EDITORS:

WHAT: TheatreWorks, the nationally acclaimed theatre of Silicon Valley is thrilled to present a sparkling new musical romance, DADDY LONG LEGS, based on the beloved novel by Jean Webster. Tony Award-winning co-director and adapter of Les Misérables John Caird joins forces with Paul Gordon, composer of TheatreWorks' triumphant hit Emma, to tell the story of Jerusha Abbott, a talented young orphan sent to a prestigious college by an anonymous benefactor. DADDY LONG LEGS features Broadway ingénue Megan McGinnis and regional favorite Robert Adelman Hancock, with set and costumes by Tony Award-winning designer David Farley (2008 Broadway revival of Sunday in the Park with George) and John Caird at the helm. Co-world premiere with Rubicon Theatre Company and Cincinnati Playhouse.

WHEN: Previews: January 20, 21, 22
Press Opening: Saturday, January 23
Closes: Sunday, February 14

SHOWS: Previews: 8pm
Tuesdays and Wednesdays: 7:30pm
Thursdays and Fridays: 8pm
Saturdays: 2pm, 8pm
Sundays: 2pm, 7pm

WHERE: Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts
500 Castro Street (at Mercy), Mountain View

TICKETS: Previews: $29 (students) - $44, regular performances: $34 (students) - $67
Discounts available for students, seniors, educators, and members.
A $2 convenience fee will be assessed for online and telephone orders.

INFO: For information or to order tickets call (650) 463-1960 or visit theatreworks.org.

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