Photos: First Look at International City Theatre's DADDY LONG LEGS

International City Theatre opens its 33rd season with a musical "rags-to-riches" tale of newfound love. Daddy Long Legs, with music and lyrics by Tony Award-nominated composer/lyricist Paul Gordon (Jane Eyre) and book by Tony-winning librettist John Caird (Les Misérables), opens on February 23 at ICT's home in the Long Beach Performing Arts Center, where performances continue through March 11. Two low-priced previews take place on Feb. 21 and Feb. 22.

Based on the classic novel by Jean Webster (which also inspired the 1955 movie starring Fred Astaire), Daddy Long Legs is a beloved tale in the spirit of Jane Austen and the Brontë Sisters.Mary Jo DuPrey (ICT's critically acclaimed production of Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike) directsAshley Ruth Jones (A Chorus Line at the Hollywood Bowl) and Dino Nicandros (Frederick in Young Frankenstein for 3D Theatricals), both making their ICT debuts. Bill Wolfe(ICT's Forever Plaid) musical directs.

Jerusha Abbott is the oldest orphan in the John Grier Home, until a mysterious benefactor sends her to a prestigious women's college to be educated. Required to write him a letter once a month, she is never to know his identity - so she invents one for him: "Daddy Long Legs."

"The story is about Jerusha's intellectual awakening - which in turn helps Jervis, her secret benefactor, open up as a human being and changes their relationship forever," says DuPrey. "It's a love story that reveals the way we can get to know one another through language. The deeply intimate way they communicate through letter writing stands in stark contrast to how we communicate today."

Daddy Long legs was developed as part of the Ann Deal/Fashion Forms Plays-in-Progress Series at the Rubicon Theatre in Ventura, where it had its world premiere in 2009 before going on to productions in London's West End, off-Broadway and around the world. The New York Times wrote "To watch Jerusha awaken to love and literature is a great treat." The UK Guardian called the musical "totally captivating... far more fun than many a big, blowsy spectacle." And BroadwayWorld found it to be "an absolute charmer that's perfect for date night and suitable for the whole family." (ICT recommends ages 10 and up.)

The creative team for the ICT production includes set designer Ellen Lenbergs, lighting designer Donna Ruzika, costume designer Kim DeShazo, sound designer Dave Mickey, props designers Patty and Gordon Briles, and hair and wigs designer Anthony Gagliardi. Casting is by Michael Donovan and the production stage manager is John Freeland, Jr.

Daddy Long Legs runs Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m., Feb. 23through March 11. A talk back with the cast will follow the matinee performance on Sunday, March 4. Two preview performances take place on Wednesday, Feb. 21 and Thursday, Feb. 22, both at 8 p.m. Tickets are$47 on Thursdays and Fridays, and $49 on Saturdays and Sundays, except for Feb. 23 (opening night) for which tickets are $55 (includes a post show reception) or $125 (includes a pre-performance dinner in addition to the post-show reception). Low-priced tickets to previews are $35. International City Theatre is located in the Long Beach Performing Arts Center at 330 East Seaside Way in Long Beach, CA 90802. For reservations and information, call 562-436-4610 or go to InternationalCityTheatre.org.

Photo Credit: Tracey Roman