After two fan-favorite musicals during the 90th anniversary 2023-24 academic year, students from Lancaster Bible College’s Music, Worship & Performing Arts and Communication & Media Arts departments will offer a third production in the spring of 2024.
The fully student-produced musical, “Daddy Long Legs,” is based on the 1912 novel by Jean Webster and follows the story of an orphan named Jerusha Abbott. Living in the John Grier Home in New England, Jerusha is given a college education to become a writer by a mysterious benefactor. She dubs the donor “Daddy Long Legs” after seeing only his elongated shadow. Jerusha sends him a letter once a month, describing her newfound experiences beyond the orphanage.
LBC students will take charge of all aspects of the two-actor show, including performance, directing, music, costumes, props, light design, sound and tech. The students leading the production are part of an LBC workshop course taught by Director of Musical Theatre Stephen Atherholt.
“A completely student-produced show like ‘Daddy Long Legs’ not only offers a great opportunity for quality theatre to our campus and community,” Atherholt said, “but it also gives our students a glimpse into their future careers, as they get real-world experience on everything from performing and directing music to running lights and sound and more.”
All tickets, which can be reserved at lbc.edu/events, are $5 for the following performances on the main stage of Good Shepherd Chapel:
- 7 p.m. Thursday, March 21
- 7 p.m. Friday, March 22
- 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday March 23
