REVIEW: ‘Daddy Long Legs’ at George Street
If you see Elise Vannerson play Jerusha Abbott, you won’t need to see anyone else.
The young actress, at the dawn of her career, takes ownership of the role in the two-hand musical “Daddy Long Legs,” at George Street Playhouse in New Brunswick, now through Dec 24.
This show, with music and lyrics by Paul Gordon and a book by John Caird, is based on the 1912 novel by American writer Jean Webster.
Jerusha is the oldest resident at a well-run but austere orphanage. At 18, she is consigned to doing most of the housework and suffocating in boredom.
Her fortunes change when one of the trustees, whom she nicknames “Daddy Long Legs” after seeing his elongated shadow, notifies her that he will pay to send her to college, something he has done in the past for several male residents.
“Daddy Long Legs” is in reality Jervis Pendelton, a young liberal-minded members of a prominent family.
“Mr. Smith” as he calls himself, chose Jerusha for his largesse after seeing one of her essays and deciding that she should train to be a professional writer.
His offer comes with a list of bizarre conditions; for example, Jerusha is not to know his identity; she is not to meet him; she is to write to him about the progress of her education, but he will not respond to her letters or, for that matter, pay them much mind.
This plan does not take into account Jerusha’s determined and independent character, nor the impact of her imaginative and sometimes provocative writing, even on a supposedly disinterested benefactor. Suffice it to say that things happen.
This story is told mostly in songs — nearly two dozen of them — that represent the content of letters exchanged by the characters.
There is a detailed period set by Alexis Distler with a long staircase and overflowing bookshelves, but the patrons probably don’t take their eyes off Vannerson unless she leaves the stage.
She has immersed herself in Jerusha’s persona, beginning with Webster’s novel, and her skill at bringing the fascinating young woman to life is polished in ways that belie her age and experience.
Her acting has grace and subtlety; she employs every part of her being — her brow, her eyes, her mouth, her hands, her posture — to take full advantage of the material provided by Webster, Gordon and Caird.
Ben Michael has quite a challenge playing opposite Vannerson, particularly because his shy, tentative character contrasts so sharply with the proto-feminist Jerusha.
But Michael gives a compelling performance, presenting Pendleton as both infuriating in his indecision and sympathetic in his good nature and frustrated emotions.
The character sings “I am a beast,” but Michael never makes him a villain.
Both actors are talented and disciplined singers, so attentive to Gordon’s intelligent lyrics that the words have the authenticity of spoken conversation.
They are accompanied by a three-piece ensemble hidden behind the set.
There is a great deal of humor in this piece, and Vannerson and Michael, under Michael Mastro’s sensitive direction, deftly deliver the sung and spoken laugh lines without disturbing the emotional atmosphere of the play.
There are themes in this play, especially those regarding women’s place in society, that resonate as well with life in 2016 as they did with life in 1912,
Gordon and Caird are to be complimented for bringing Webster’s visionary insights back into the pubic forum in such an entertaining way.
See it. And if you’re not in love with Elise Vannerson, Jerusha Abbott, or both, long before the curtain call, you’re not paying attention.
DADDY LONG LEGS
WHEN: Through Dec. 24
WHERE: George Street Playhouse, 9 Livingston Ave., New Brunswick
TICKETS: $20 to $76
INFO: 732-246-7717 or georgestreetplayhouse.org