“Daddy Long Legs” takes to the Rabbit Run Theater stage.
“Daddy Long Legs”, June 25 – July 23 (June 25, 26, 27, July 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 10, 11, 15, 16, 17, 18, 21, 22, 23)
Box office: 440-428-7092, Wed. – Sun., 3-7 p.m.
MADISON, OH – The musical “Daddy Long Legs” opens at Rabbit Run Theater June 25.
“Daddy Long Legs” is based on the 1912 classic novel of the same name by Jean Webster. Set in turn-of-the-century New England, the musical tells the story of Jerusha Abbott the oldest orphan at the John Grier Home and her unknown benefactor who pays for her college education. Never having met her benefactor, Jerusha dubs him “Daddy Long Legs” after seeing only his elongated shadow.
Written in the spirit of Jane Austen, the Brontë sisters and “Downtown Abbey”, “Daddy Long Legs” premiered in London’s West End and ran Off-Broadway.
“Daddy Long Legs” features music and lyrics by Tony Award-nominated composer and lyricist Paul Gordon and Tony Award winner John Caird, who directed Broadway’s “Les Miserables”. The show runs from June 25 through July 23 and is rated for general audiences.
The show is directed by Brint Learned, who has acted and directed at numerous theaters in the area, including The Fine Arts Association, Rabbit Run Theater, Lake Erie College, Beck Center, Lakeland Civic Theatre and Ashtabula Arts Center.
Musical direction is provided by Jonathan Gordon, who recently served as the musical director for Rabbit Run’s production of “Always . . . Patsy Cline” as well as “My Way, a Musical Tribute to Frank Sinatra” and has also musically directed at the Geauga Lyric Theater Guild.
Playing the role of Jerusha is Haley Gagnon. Gagnon has performed in a number of productions at Rabbit Run, most recently in “My Way, a Musical Tribute to Frank Sinatra” and as Sophie Sheridan in the 2019 production of “Mamma Mia”.
Rabbit Run Theater acting veteran, J J Luster plays opposite Gagnon as Jerusha’s benefactor, Jervis Pendleton. Luster has appeared in a number of productions at the Fine Arts Association and Rabbit Run Theater including “Guys and Dolls”, “Into the Woods”, “Mamma Mia” and “You Can’t Take it With You” to name a few.
Tickets for all performances are available by calling the box office at 440-428-7092, Wednesday through Sunday, 3 to 7 p.m. or on line at www.rabbitrun.org. Tickets are $26, adult; $24, senior and student; and $13 for youth 12 and under. For group packages and rates call 440-428-5913.
Guests are welcome to bring a picnic meal to enjoy on the grounds of the theater prior to a show in the picnic pavilion or courtyards.
While taking in a performance of “Daddy Long Legs”, patrons are able to purchase a raffle ticket for Bunny Bucks Cash Raffle, Rabbit Run Community Arts Association’s (RRCAA)’s annual fundraiser.
The Grand Prize is $10,000; second place prize is $4,000, and the third place prize is $1,000. Twenty-two additional Bonus Prizes, each with a value of at least $100, are being awarded weekly through Aug. 23.
Only 1,000 tickets will be sold. Tickets are $50 each. The cash prizes will be announced Aug. 27. Tickets may be purchased by calling the box office at 440-428-7092, the RRCAA office at 440-428-5913 or online at rabbitrun.org.
Rabbit Run Theater follows all state-mandated COVID-19 safety protocols in place at the time of each show.
All shows for “Daddy Long Legs” begin at 7:30 p.m. Rabbit Run Theater is located at 5648 W. Chapel Rd., Madison, OH.
Rabbit Run receives partial funding from the Ohio Arts Council, Dworken & Bernstein, Hearn Plumbing and Heating, Huffman-Mayer –Paolo Wealth Management Group and Lighthouse Advisers.
Rabbit Run Theater also appreciates the support from the Lake County Visitors Bureau and their Arts & Culture Grant program.
Rabbit Run Theater is one of the few barn theaters still in operation and operates under the auspices of Rabbit Run Community Arts Association, a non-profit organization offering year-round instruction in all the major disciplines of the fine and performing arts.
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Press release submitted by:
Karen Ziegler
Director of Marketing/Group sales
P. O. Box 235, 49 Park St., Madison, OH 44057
440-428-5913 |rabbitrun.org
MY OHIO FUN ROAD TRIP NOTES:
Before you go:
Tickets are required to be purchased in advance.
Dress for the weather. On beautiful days the doors are opened during the productions.
Picnic tables are available.
Limited refreshments are also available.
Parking is free.
Where to enjoy dinner beforehand:
Brennan’s Fish House (14 miles)
Crosswinds Grille – Geneva-on-the-Lake (10 miles)
Grand River Cellars Winery – Madison (10 miles)
Pickle Bill’s Lobster House – Grand River (14 miles)
Silvestro’s Depot Cafe – Painesville (12 miles)
Nearby attractions:
4th largest Amish Country – Geauga County
Covered Bridges (19) – Ashtabula County
Geneva-on-the-Lake – Ashtabula County
The Holden Arboretum – Kirtland
James A. Garfield National Historic Site – Mentor
Lake County Captains – Mentor
Lake County History Center – Mentor
Lake Metroparks Farmpark – Kirtland
Where to stay:
There are two hotels located just off the freeway in Madison. The Hampton Inn and the Holiday Inn Express. Other options available are Punderson Manor Lodge in Newbury, the Comfort Inn Painesville, Hampton Inn & Suites Mentor and/or Lawnfield Inn & Suites Mentor. For those who also want to spend time in Ohio’s Wine Country, we would suggest The Lodge at Geneva-on-the-Lake or The Lakehouse Inn.
Local Visitor Information:
Ashtabula County Convention & Visitors Bureau
Destination Geauga
Lake County Visitor Bureau
Miles:
Akron – 75 miles
Ashtabula – 19 miles
Canton – 87 miles
Cleveland – 45 miles
Columbus – 215 miles
Erie, PA – 65 miles
Medina – 70 miles
Pittsburgh – 140 miles
Youngstown – 70 miles
