Little House on the Prairie: The Musical, based on the “Little House” books by Laura Ingalls Wilder, is on a 34-week, 25-city tour. Melissa Gilbert stars as "Ma" 30 years after playing "Laura" on the TV series.
Little House on the Prairie:The Musical concluded its shows in Little Rock, Ark. on Nov. 5. The
Arkansas Democrat Gazette notes that:
Restoring our faith in the future by recalling the stories of our past: LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE has remained one of the most popular and beloved celebrations of early Americana since the appearance of Laura Ingalls Wilder's popular classic book series 70 years ago. Now the inspirational stories take on a brand new frontier in this uplifting new musical.
The U.S. tour continues with Melissa Gilbert, who played Laura for 10 years in the television series, now 30 years later taking on the role of Ma.
Photo courtesy of Walton Arts Center
Melissa Gilbert as "Ma" in Little House on the Prairie: The Musical
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Little House on the Prairie: The Musical is based on the “Little House” books by Laura Ingalls Wilder. From the pages of Wilder’s beloved books, to a long-running television series to the stage, tales of Ingalls’ family life in DeSmet, South Dakota are now captured in song and dance.
Following the performances in Little Rock, the
U.S. tour includes stops in Springfield, MO, Tulsa, OK, Tempe, AZ, and returns to Arkansas Jan. 5-10, 2010.
As part of the Proctor & Gamble Broadway Series at the
Walton Arts Center in Fayetteville, AR, eight shows of Little House on the Prairie:The Musical will be performed.
Courtesy of Walton Arts Center
Walton Arts Center logo
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When asked if any Walton Arts Center (WAC) staff had talked to Melissa Gilbert personally, Beth Goodwin, Coordinator for Media and Community Outreach at WAC, told me, "Some of the staff have met and talked with Ms. Gilbert. They found her to be a joy with work with."
Ms. Goodwin shared that what is "unique" about the Little House on the Prairie:The Musical show is the "community involvement" by the actors and production crew. "The actors and crew are involved in community outreach," Goodwin said. "The causes they support are The Seeing Eye and Habitat for Humanity." Goodwin reminded me that Laura's older sister, Mary, went blind, so supporting
The Seeing Eye is fitting.
On the organization's website, James A. Kutsch, Jr., President and CEO of The Seeing Eye of Morristown, N.J. states:
We are thrilled to be partnering with such an iconic and inspirational production to help increase awareness of the capabilities and challenges of blind people in today's frontier. Much like the characters in 'Little House on the Prairie: The Musical,' our graduates, with their Seeing Eye dogs, have created a legacy of forging new lives amidst the challenges, heartbreaks, joys and triumphs that we face each and every day. This partnership is very much a celebration and continuation of the pioneering spirit for which we and 'Little House on the Prairie' are known.
Actress Melissa Gilbert is also quoted by The Seeing Eye as saying, "An essential part of our musical’s story line relates to Mary Ingalls, who becomes blind but is eventually able to pursue her studies and flourish in spite of that challenge. Because of that, we hope to reinforce the message that people with visual impairments have even more innovative opportunities for independence that did not exist in Mary's day, thanks to organizations such as The Seeing Eye.”
Walton Arts Center's Goodwin noted that Melissa will also be doing promotions for Habitat for Humanity during the short time that the production is in Fayetteville. Goodwin said the production company has a "community outreach person who contacts local representatives of Habitat for Humanity" and that they plan to "do a build one day before the performance."
Kay Mathews
Walton Arts Center, Fayetteville, AR
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In a Habitat for Humanity
press release, Gilbert is quoted as saying:
Habitat for Humanity is truly one of the most important, most wonderful organizations in this country and around the world. An enduring message of ‘Little House on the Prairie’—the importance above all of a home and a strong family—is exactly the mission of Habitat. There couldn’t be a more perfect match between a show and an organization. As we travel across the country during the next year, we are looking forward to getting involved in a variety of ways in each city to do our part to aid in Habitat’s mission to bring affordable housing to those in need.
According to Habitat for Humanity, the cast and crew of Little House on the Prairie-The Musical will help local Habitat affiliates build homes in each location that the musical performs.
Photo courtesy of Walton Arts Center
Little House on the Prairie: The Musical
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The 34-week, 25-city tour began in October and the concluding performances will be in Sioux Falls, SD and Ft. Worth, TX in June of 2010.
The
show is directed by Francesca Zambello (Disney’s The Little Mermaid), the music has been created by Academy Award® winner, Rachel Portman, and the book was written by Rachel Sheinkin (Tony Award® for SPELLING BEE) with lyrics by Donna di Novelli.
