True to its title, the timeless fairy tale known as “Daddy Long Legs” enjoys a long and illustrious history in the annals of popular culture. Finding its origins as a 1912 novel by Jean Webster, this is the story of a wealthy American who becomes the mysterious benefactor of a vivacious young French woman, thus inspiring a correspondence that evolves into romance. The story has been realized in fanciful incarnations such as a classic, Oscar-nominated 1955 Cinemascope musical film starring Fred Astaire and Leslie Caron, Tony-nominated Broadway and off-Broadway productions, and other filmed adaptations–the first of which, starring Mary Pickford, premiered in 1919. On Sept 6-8, 13-15, 2024, Live Oak Theatre will present an exceptional production of a much-beloved classic featuring four Live Oak stars who will offer an original, one-of-a-kind interpretation of “Daddy Long Legs.”
Live Oak Theatre Company (LOT) is a not-for-profit 501 (C) (3) repertory company of local artists located at the Carol and Frank Morsani Center for the Arts, 21030 Cortez Boulevard, Brooksville, FL 34601. The Live Oak Theatre Company exists to enrich families, individuals and the community as a whole by providing positive artistic experiences in the Performing Arts – including excellent, affordable, and edifying family-friendly entertainment, performance, and educational opportunities for Theatre patrons and participants of all ages.
Ben Staley and Adelle Rogers will perform “Daddy Long Legs” at Live Oak on Sept. 6, 7:30 p.m., and 7, 2:30 p.m., Sept. 13, 7:30 p.m., and 14, 7:30 p.m., Kaiden Rossiter and Gwyneth Mitten, Sept. 7, 7:30 p.m., 8, 2:30 p.m., 14, 2:30 p.m., 15, 2:30 p.m.
“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,” read a synopsis provided by Live Oak Theatre. “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 Live Oak production of “Daddy Long Legs,” says theatre spokesman Vince Vanni, is a gift to the audience.
“Last year’s season was so successful that we actually had to turn away people who wanted to reserve seats. We looked for ways to expand the season and make it possible for others to see what we are capable of,” said Vanni. “DLL is an added show, placed very early in our season before the snowbirds arrive.”
In addition, “Daddy Long Legs” features a revered quartet of Live Oak luminaries. “Four of our top young performers… who have been with us for no less than ten years… got together and gave us a proposal to do this delightful two-person show,” said Vanni. “Kaiden Rossiter and Gwyneth Mitten have worked together since they were three. They were last seen together as the leads in our critically acclaimed “Newsies!”
And the unique connections represented in this production don’t end there. “Ben Staley and Adelle Rogers are married… but not to each other, ” said Vanni. “Ben is married to Adelle’s sister, Lenia. These four work so well together. One team virtually directs the other. It’s fun to watch their interaction at rehearsal.”
This show has special meaning for Ben Staley, who–along with Kaiden Rossiter–plays Jervis Pendleton. Benjamin Staley has been with Live Oak since 2015 in Around the World in 80 Days. Since then, he’s played roles such as Dickon in The Secret Garden, Peter in Peter Pan, Gareth in Reunknighted, Jack in The Importance of Being Earnest, Davy in Newsies, and Rolf in The Sound of Music. Ben is the Youth Director and Worship Leader for Faith Evangelical Presbyterian Church.
“‘Daddy Long Legs’ is a show that we’ve been wanting to do for a while now; we’ve all been in love with it,” he said. “It’s such a sweet and unique love story that draws you in with its characters.”
Aside from being a star of “Daddy Long Legs,” Staley is a true fan of the production in its rich theatrical nuances. “I love this show because I’ve loved music so much my whole life, and it has the most beautiful music, with the instrumentals and the harmonies, and how it works into the story so well!” he said. “The character I play has been so much fun to work on: figuring out his emotions and his intentions and how his character shifts and develops throughout the story.”
In Staley’s view, “Daddy Long Legs” is a true love story—in more ways than one. “If you love stories like ‘Little Women’ or ‘Anne of Green Gables’ or any classic stories like these. This is a show that you will love, just as we have loved it for so many years.”
Kaiden Rossiter is 23 years old and has been a live oak regular for nine years. His favorite roles have been Jack Kelly from Newsies and Adam from 7b for 7b.
This story is a lifelong favorite of “Daddy Long Legs” leading lady Adelle Rogers, who plays Jerusha Abbott. Adelle Rogers is 21 years old, took dance and vocal lessons growing up, and has performed in numerous shows with Live Oak Theater. Her favorite roles have been Nancy in Oliver Jr and Ariel in The Little Mermaid.
“I read the book ‘Daddy-Long-Legs’ (written by Jean Webster) when I was about nine years old, and I thought it was an adorable story. I discovered that it was a musical about five years ago and fell in love with it,” she said. “We’ve always talked and dreamed about performing it, and I’m very excited to finally get the opportunity to share this delightful story, full of charming humor and lovely music, with the audience.”
Rogers welcomed the challenge of performing the show in a unique two-character format. “Although we have never performed a two-person show at Live Oak before, it’s an exciting challenge for us and a great chance to give the audience a different type of performance,” she said.
Leading lady Gwyneth Mitten, who plays Jerusha Abbott, also finds “Daddy Long Legs” to be a classic of both the literary and dramatic arts. Gwyneth Mitten is a senior at USF studying vocal performance and teaches private vocal lessons at the Live Oak Conservatory. She has been involved with Live Oak Theatre since she was 12 when she debuted as Anne Shirley in “Anne of Avonlea.” Since then, she has enjoyed the roles of Dorothy in “The Wizard of Oz,” Ariel in “The Little Mermaid,” and Katherine in “Newsies.” Gwyneth is ecstatic to be in one of her favorite musicals!
“I’ve always loved classic literature, art, and music. ‘Daddy Long Legs’ is the story of a girl who gets to experience all of these beautiful things for the first time,” she said. “I love joining my character in her journey of perspective.”
Mitten is fulfilling a lifelong goal and dream of bringing “Daddy Long Legs” to the stage. “‘Daddy Long Legs’ is something my friends and I have been talking about since high school. We love the uniqueness of this musical and the challenge of a two-person show,” she said. “It’s an exciting chance to branch out of our comfort zone of the big, amazing dance numbers and capture the audience with a more intimate setting. “Daddy Long Legs” opens the door to a new side of theatre for Live Oak.”
To reserve seating for “Daddy Long Legs,” visit https://www.liveoaktheatre.org/current-production, email [email protected], or call 352-593-0027.
