Daddy Long Legs (musical)

Daddy Long Legs
Off-Broadway artwork
Music	Paul Gordon
Lyrics	Paul Gordon
Book	John Caird
Setting	Early 20th century, New England
Basis	Daddy-Long-Legs by Jean Webster
Premiere	October 17, 2009: Rubicon Theatre, Ventura County, California
Productions	2009 Ventura County, California 2012 Tokyo 2012 West End 2013 Canadian premiere 2015 Off-Broadway 2016 Seoul Various US regional productions
Awards	Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Book of a Musical Ovation Award for Book of an Original Musical Ovation Award for Lyrics/Music of an Original Musical

Daddy Long Legs is a stage musical based on the novel of the same name by Jean Webster. It was written by John Caird, with music and lyrics by Paul Gordon. Set in turn-of-the-century New England, the musical tells the story of orphan Jerusha Abbott of the John Grier Home and her mysterious benefactor who agrees to send her to college, who she dubs "Daddy Long Legs" after seeing his elongated shadow. Under the conditions of her benefactor, Jerusha sends him a letter once a month, describing her new-found experiences with life outside the orphanage.

The musical was developed as part of the Ann Deal/Fashion Forms Plays-in-Progress Series at Rubicon Theatre in Ventura County, California in 2007. After premiering at the Rubicon in 2009 and several regional productions in the United States, the musical premiered in London's West End at the St. James Theatre in 2012, and Off-Broadway at the Davenport Theatre in 2015. The musical opened in Tokyo in 2012 and Canada in 2013.

Workshop readings for the musical were done at the Rubicon Theatre Company as early as 2008, with Leslie Henstock as Jerusha and Robert Adelman Hancock as Jervis. The production premiered at the Rubicon Theatre on October 17, 2009, with direction by John Caird, music and lyrics by Paul Gordon, musical direction by Laura Bergquist, scenic and costume design by David Farley, lighting design by Paul Toben, and sound design by Jonathan Burke.Megan McGinnis starred as Jerusha Abbott and Hancock starred as Jervis Pendleton.

The production opened in London's West End at the St. James Theatre on October 31, 2012 and ran until December 08. McGinnis and Hancock returned to their roles as Jerusha Abbott and Jervis Pendleton.