Melissa Gilbert News

One of the most interesting chapters in William Goldman's classic book of commercial Broadway, The Season, involves the pre-opening troubles with the musical, Golden Rainbow. (Yes, I'm beginning a review of Little House on the Prairie with an anecdote about a glitzy Steve & Eydie vehicle. Just go along with me on this.) Although the musical had a huge advance sale thanks to the popularity of its husband and wife stars, everyone agreed the book was a disaster. But, according to Goldman, spirits were boosted a bit when rumors started circulating that Neil Simon - who was not only the hottest playwright on Broadway at the time but a guy known for anonymously helping to doctor other shows that were in need of laughs - would be coming in to punch up the script. In the meantime another writer was recruited and told that he didn't have to come up with anything clever; just to write a straightforward, competent book that made sense of the story. Neil Simon would come in later and provide the gags. (P.S. He never did.)

The new musical version of 'Little House on the Prairie' will launch a National Tour in St. Paul this fall, The Ordway Center for the Performing Arts announced Monday that 'Little House' will kick off its 2009-10 theater season.

The new musical version of 'Little House on the Prairie' will launch a National Tour in St. Paul this fall, The Ordway Center for the Performing Arts announced Monday that 'Little House' will kick off its 2009-10 theater season.

The new musical version of 'Little House on the Prairie' will launch a National Tour in St. Paul this fall, The Ordway Center for the Performing Arts announced Monday that 'Little House' will kick off its 2009-10 theater season.

London's Donmar Warehouse production of PARADE, presented by the Center Theatre Group at the Los Angeles Music Center, had its U.S. premiere Sunday, October 4, 2009 at the Mark Taper Forum.

Olympia Entertainment, in partnership with Magic Arts & Entertainment, presents the 2009-2010 My Foxtown Theater Series, a unique variety of shows that offer something for everyone. This year's series features the premier engagements of ?The 101 Dalmatians Musical' and ?Little House On The Prairie The Musical with Melissa Gilbert as ?Ma'.'

Reports are circulating that William Gibson's classic, THE MIRACLE WORKER, will get a Broadway resurrection in the near future at the hands of Finnian's Rainbow producer David Richenthal.

Olympia Entertainment, in partnership with Magic Arts & Entertainment, presents the 2009-2010 My Foxtown Theater Series, a unique variety of shows that offer something for everyone. This year's series features the premier engagements of ?The 101 Dalmatians Musical' and ?Little House On The Prairie The Musical with Melissa Gilbert as ?Ma'.'

LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE, a new musical based on the beloved Laura Ingalls Wilder series of classic American books, will arrive on November 24 at the Fox Theatre in St. Louis, Missouri. Melissa Gilbert, who rose to fame as a child playing ‘Laura' in the hugely successful NBC television series 'Little House on the Prairie' during the 1970's, now continues her legacy ‘on the prairie' by taking on the role of Ma. LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE will also star Steve Blanchard as Pa and Kara Lindsay as Laura. Tickets for the St. Louis engagement of LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE are on sale now. Tickets may be purchased by calling 314-534-1111, online at www.metrotix.com, or by visiting the Fox Theatre box office.

'Little House on the Prairie,' a new musical based on the beloved Laura Ingalls Wilder series of classic American books, will arrive on October 13, 2009 at Ordway Center for the Performing Arts in Saint Paul, Minn. Melissa Gilbert, who rose to fame as a child playing 'Laura' in the hugely successful NBC television series 'Little House on the Prairie' during the 1970's, now continues her legacy 'on the prairie' by taking on the role of Ma. 'Little House on the Prairie' will also star Steve Blanchard as Pa and Kara Lindsay as Laura. Tickets for the Saint Paul, Minn. engagement of 'Little House on the Prairie' are on sale now.

Today's Broadway Blogs on BroadwayWorld.com from Monday, October 5, 2009.

The producers of the upcoming national tour of LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE: THE MUSICAL, with Melissa Gilbert as Ma, recently announced a national partnership with Habitat for Humanity, the non-profit international organization dedicated to providing affordable housing to the poor and needy. Cast and crew members from "Little House on the Prairie: The Musical," will help build a Habitat for Humanity house as part of a national partnership with Habitat for Humanity International. Steve Blanchard, who plays Pa, as well as other cast and crew members will pitch in at the build site tomorrow, 9/30. Mayor Cory Booker has confirmed that he will also attend the event to show his support for affordable housing.

On Sale Event - Saturday, September 26! Along with Grand Center's Fall festival, Dancing in the Streets, on Saturday, September 26; The Fabulous Fox Theatre will host an on-sale event for several upcoming Broadway shows.

On Tuesday, October 13, 2009, the eagerly anticipated new stage production of LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE, THE MUSICAL -- with Melissa Gilbert as 'Ma' -- kicks off a two-year, 26-city national tour at The Ordway Theatre in St. Paul.

Paper Mill Playhouse (Mark S. Hoebee-Artistic Director, Mark W. Jones-Executive Director) is warning their loyal subscribers to purchase any additional seats soon, before there are no seats left. LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE began previews on September 10th and only a few seats remain.

LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE - THE MUSICAL runs through Oct 10, 2009 at Papermill Playhouse. The play features music by Rachel Portman, with a book by Rachel Sheinkin, and lyrics by Donna di Novelli.

LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE - THE MUSICAL runs through Oct 10, 2009 at Papermill Playhouse. The play features music by Rachel Portman, with a book by Rachel Sheinkin, and lyrics by DONNA di NOVELLI.

California Musical Theatre in Sacramento, CA is releasing single tickets for the National Tour productions of Xanadu, Chicago, Little House on the Prairie, and A Chorus Line on September 20th.

LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE, THE MUSICAL, with Melissa Gilbert as 'Ma,' the new touring musical based on the beloved Laura Ingalls Wilder series of classic American books, is proud to announce a new partnership with THE SEEING EYE, a national organization celebrating its 80th year bringing dog guide services to blind people across the U.S. and Canada.

Melissa Gilbert, Steve Blanchard and Kara Lindsey star in Little House on the Prairie, a new musical based on the classic Laura Ingalls Wilder series of beloved American books, which opens at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center's Andrew Jackson Hall October 27, as part of the HCA/TriStar Broadway at TPAC series.