THEATER REVIEW: DADDY LONG LEGS
Joyce Kulhawik | February 18, 2012

I just had one of the loveliest theatrical experiences of my life up at Merrimack Rep in Lowell! You must see their utterly charming, sweetly engaging, beautifully staged and sung new musical DADDY LONG LEGS…

See the full article here.

http://zingology.com/blog/2012/02/13/charming-daddy-long-legs-mrts-valentine/

Charming “Daddy Long Legs”, MRT’s Valentine

Chava | February 13, 2012 | 0 Comments

Daddy Long Legs
Merrimack Repertory Theater, Lowell, MA
February 9 – March 4, 2012
Directed by John Caird
Music & Lyrics by Paul Gordon
Book by John Caird, based on a novel by Jean Webster

It’s not very often when you see an audience rise to their feet in unison for an ovation. There was no doubt in anyone’s mind… no holding back. Set in 1912 New England, Daddy Long Legs, a musical (truth be known, an operetta delivered in extraordinary voices and delightful melodies to live music), is such an engaging show that that the entire audience fell in love and wasn’t afraid to show it. They loved the sweet, spunky, and smart Jerusha Abbot (Megan McGinnis), an orphan sent to college by an anonymous donor, Jervis Pendleton (Robert Adelman Hancock). The deal is that she is to write him a letter each week, and over the course of time, he becomes so intrigued that he has to meet her. Not wanting to reveal himself, he devises a scheme to befriend her yet keep his secret, yet he becomes caught in his own rules. McGinnis and Hancock both shine in their roles.

Up to the high bar of MRT standards, the set is clever and creates a convincing turn-of-the-century world. Jervis’s upstage library is perfectly-constructed with panels and books, and downstage, Jerusha territory, is scattered with steamer trunks that serve as an orphanage, a college dorm, a farm, and when they are stacked, work as a hilltop. Jerusha’s costumes are pulled out of the trunks as well as she prepares for each new part of her life.

Projected video of Jerusha’s perfect handwriting, highlights each group of letters and gives a sense of place. Directed under the hand of John Caird, a Tony and Olivier award-winning director for Les Miserables and Nichaolas Nickleby as well as scores of other shows, the show has the tight pacing and quality of Broadway.

The lyrics are clever and often philosophical: “The secret of happiness is to enjoy the ride, not mourn the past, not to run to fast…”

I can’t think of a more perfect show to run in February… it is full of love, but not overly sentimental. I would suggest two things: One is DO NOT MISS it and the other is to bring some Kleenex.

Full article available courtesy Huffington Post

No, it isn’t all three Jonas brothers, but it is three clips of brother Nick!  Check them out at Entertainment Weekly PopWatch

Be sure to read Chris Sparkle’s entire review on his blog!

Beau Bridges

See the interview with Broadway.com!

[Pippin] is a bizarre, charming yet ultimately satisfying show with an infectious cast and incredible production design…  the Chocolate Factory’s production will provide a real treat for musical theatre fans giving your imagination a work out and a tune to hum on your way home. And let’s be honest, that’s all you ever want from a musical.

Read the full review on the Huffington Post

Click the image to view the video from HollywoodLife

From the London Theater Guide Online:

Final cast members announced for the role of ‘Berthe’ in Pippin at the Menier Chocolate Factory from 24 Jan 2012.

Gay Soper (Berthe 24 Jan – 29 Jan 2012), Josie Lawrence (Berthe 07 Feb – 12 Feb 2012), Louise Gold (Berthe) returns from 30 Jan – 05 Feb 2012 and 14 – 25 Feb 2012.