LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE Cast Swings Hammers for Habitat for Humanity 3/23

Company members of Little House on the Prairie, The Musical arriving at the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center on March 23, 2010 will construct a storage shed for the Greater Fox Cities Area Habitat for Humanity. The cast of Little House on the Prairie, The Musical, including Melissa Gilbert, will work on adding the siding and roofing of a storage shed inside Habitat for Humanity's ReStore building at 3000 E. College Ave. on Thursday, March 25 starting at 10:15 a.m. The storage shed will be given to the Habitat Home recipients at 3315 N. Meade St., Appleton. This build is part of a nationwide effort between Habitat for Humanity International and Little House on the Prairie, The Musical to raise awareness about the need for affordable housing.

"We are excited to work with Little House on the Prairie, The Musical," said Greater Fox Cities Area Habitat for Humanity Executive Director John Weyenberg. "We appreciate the cast for helping us raise awareness of the need for more affordable housing and their generous commitment to helping to eliminate poverty housing."

Throughout its 34-week, 26-city tour, Little House on the Prairie, The Musical will make a minimum donation of $1,500 per city to the work of Habitat for Humanity through June 2010. In addition, the cast and crew will help local Habitat for Humanity affiliates build homes in each location.

"Habitat for Humanity is truly one of the most important, most wonderful organizations in this country and around the world," said Melissa Gilbert. "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."
Melissa Gilbert, who played the lead role of Laura Ingalls in the hit television series based on the beloved children's books by the same name, continues her legacy on the prairie and will now be playing the role of "Ma" Ingalls.

"We are extremely grateful to Melissa Gilbert, the cast and producers of Little House on the Prairie, The Musical for supporting our mission and engaging audiences across the country to build greater awareness of the need for affordable housing," said Jonathan Reckford, CEO of Habitat for Humanity International. "The Ingalls family's struggles in difficult conditions parallel the challenges many families face today in trying to secure better futures for themselves and their children. It's our hope this new interpretation of an ageless classic will remind fans both young and old of the importance of a safe, simple and decent home."

Little House on the Prairie has remained a celebration of early Americana for nearly 75 years. The musical premiered at the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis in a developmental production in August 2008.

ABOUT HABITAT FOR HUMANITY INTERNATIONAL
Habitat for Humanity International is an ecumenical Christian ministry that welcomes to its work all people dedicated to the cause of eliminating poverty housing. Since its founding in 1976, Habitat has built more than 300,000 houses worldwide, providing simple, decent and affordable shelter for more than 1.5 million people. For more information, visit habitat.org.

ABOUT LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE, THE MUSICAL
Little House on the Prairie, a new musical based on the beloved Laura Ingalls Wilder series of classic American books is the uplifting story of an American family forging a new life amidst the mighty challenges, heartbreaks, joys and triumphs that face them in the newly-settled heartland. 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 1970s, now continues her legacy "on the prairie" by taking on the role of "Ma." This celebration of the pioneering spirit and the core values on which this country was founded will travel throughout the U.S. on a 26-city tour which culminates in spring 2010.

Tickets for the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center's engagement of Little House on the Prairie, The Musical start at $40 and can be purchased by calling Ticketmaster at (800) 982-2787 or the Center's ticket office at (920) 730-3760. Tickets can also be purchased in person at the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center's ticket office or online at foxcitiespac.com. Groups of 15 or more can save by calling (920) 730-3786. Additional fees may apply.
To learn more about Little House on the Prairie, The Musical and other shows coming to Fox Cities Performing Arts Center, please visit foxcitiespac.com or visit the official Little House on the Prairie The Musical website at littlehousethemusical.com.

The performance schedule for Little House on the Prairie, The Musical at the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center is: March 23, 7:30 p.m.; March 24, 7:30 p.m.; March 25, 7:30 p.m.; March 26, 7:30 p.m.; March 27, 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. and March 28, 1:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.

ABOUT M&I BANK Broadway Across America - FOX CITIES
M&I Bank Broadway Across America - Fox Cities, exclusively at the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center, is presented in partnership with Broadway Across America. The Fox Cities Performing Arts Center, located in downtown Appleton, Wisconsin, is a gathering place for the community and a state-of-the-art venue where the arts come alive. Additional information is available at foxcitiespac.com.

ABOUT Broadway Across America
Broadway Across America is owned and operated by British theater producer John Gore (CEO) and entertainment industry veteran Thomas B. McGrath (Chairman). Broadway Across America presents first-class touring Broadway musicals and plays, family productions and other live events throughout a network of 43 North American cities. Broadway Across America is also dedicated to the development and production of new and diverse live theater for productions on Broadway, across America and throughout the world. Broadway Across America most recently produced the Broadway productions of Hair, West Side Story and Irving Berlin's White Christmas. Upcoming productions include Minsky's; Promises, Promise; Million Dollar Quartet; and the West End production of Breakfast at Tiffany's. Touring productions include Nickelodeon's Storytime Adventures featuring Dora the Explorer and Dreamgirls. For more information or to purchase tickets through an authorized agent go to BroadwayAcrossAmerica.com.

ABOUT THE FOX CITIES PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
The Fox Cities Performing Arts Center a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located in downtown Appleton, provides a premier venue for live performing arts. The Center proudly serves as a gathering place for the community to engage in educational opportunities while enhancing a greater understanding and appreciation of the live performing arts. For more information on upcoming events, education programs and community involvement go to foxcitiespac.com. The Fox Cities Performing Arts Center - Where the Arts Come Alive!

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