Florida Studio Theatre Presents DADDY LONG LEGS Tonight

Florida Studio Theatre opens the third show of the Mainstage Season, DADDY LONG LEGS, with book by John Caird and music and lyrics by Paul Gordon. It will open in Florida Studio Theatre's Gompertz Theatre tonight, February 7th, 2014.

The musical DADDY LONG LEGS is based on a 1912 book by the same name, written by Jean Webster. The story is based around a young orphan, Jerusha Abbot, who gains an education at the hands of an unknown philanthropist, who she affectionately names 'Daddy Long Legs.' It is an enchanting journey, one that showcases a girl's path to independence as she navigates through classes at a prestigious college, and makes unexpected discoveries about life and love.

There have been about a dozen interpretations of this story throughout the years, including a 1952 British musical Love From Judy, American films in 1919, 1931, 1935, & 1955, and a Korean movie adaptation in 2005. The new musical DADDY LONG LEGS is an organic interpretation of the source material, using charming chamber music, an intimate two-person cast, and an epistolary storyline told mostly through letters from Jerusha to her 'Daddy Long Legs.'

The show, directed by John Caird, features Penny McNamee as the protagonist Jerusha Abbot and Kevin Earley as Jervis Pendleton. Nell Balaban will serve as the Associate Director of FST's production.

This is McNamee's first time performing as Jerusha and she is enthusiastic about tackling the iconic character. "Never have I been more excited to portray a role than that of Jerusha Abbott in DADDY LONG LEGS! Her humor, stubbornness, love of life and perseverance against all odds, places her alongside the great female literary characters of Jo March and Anne of Green Gables."

Kevin Earley is a seasoned veteran of DADDY LONG LEGS, having performed the role of Jervis three times prior to FST's production. Earley is thrilled to re-mount the show with a brand new co-star. "This will be an exciting production of DADDY LONG LEGS for me because I get to sing with another new 'Jerusha Abbot.' This will be my 4th production and 3rd Jerusha, [played by] Penny McNamee. She is very talented and will give the show a fresh take for the Florida Studio Theatre production."

This will be DADDY LONG LEGS' Florida premiere, after successful productions around the country in California, Ohio, Illinois, Arizona, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, and Wisconsin. DADDY LONG LEGS has also enjoyed productions internationally in Japan, England, and Canada.

Both actors are looking forward to bringing this timeless story to a fresh audience in Sarasota. Earley speaks to this new experience, stating "With the past success of the music and story in other cities, Sarasota audiences will get a great show every night. Personally, I grow each time I do a new production of this love story and Florida will be no exception." McNamee expands, "I can't wait for our Sarasota audiences to laugh and fall in love with this beautiful, heart-warming story."

Tickets range from $18 to $36 and can be purchased by calling the FST Box Office at (941) 399-9000, or online at www.floridastudiotheatre.org.

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