REVIEW: Little House on the Prairie settles into Denver

"Little House on the Prairie - The Musical", based on the "Little House" books by Laura Ingalls Wilder and starring Melissa Gilbert as "Ma", opened quietly at the Buell Theater on Tuesday night. Oh yes, there were commercials and talk of the show. But the show itself is a very low key affair. And that's not a bad thing. There are no chandeliers, bubbles or "flying green witches" and that is what may upset some theatergoers. What theatergoers will like is that Melissa Gilbert, the original Laura Ingalls from the 70's TV series, plays "Ma" in this musical production.

Let's get the negatives out of the way first. In my opinion, the major problem with this show is its score. It taunts you with an Oklahoma feel but just fails to totally deliver. Rachel Portman's music/songs tend to all sound alike with a few exceptions. Those exceptions are the wonderful opening (Thunder), Without an Enemy, Faster, Up Ahead and Leaving. And most of the songs feel very short. According to her Bio, this is her first foray into theatre as she is known as a composer for film. This may be the downfall of the score. The songs seem to go for a dramatic or emotional climax, and reach one in the composer's mind, but never really takes the audience to that point. The songs that have the potential to be standouts end as they are just sweeping you in. Unfortunately they are just too short.

This production sails with its lighting design by Mark McCullough. Ninety percent of its scenic design by Adrian Lobel works. I say ninety percent because at times the stage seems bare. And for the life of me I could not understand why the Ingalls never use the door to their home! When entering or exiting their home, they walked around the set piece. It made no sense when you watched Pa come in and hang his gun over the door. Outside of that, the scrims used at the rear of the stage were spectacular. Paired with the lighting they were a feast for the eyes. Also very notable was the snowstorm which is visually beautiful. This is a show that you really could not take your eyes off of.

Act one takes us through the hardships that the Ingalls face at what seems to be lightning speed and leaves you a bit down and fatigued by intermission. The few "light" moments really don't last long enough. There is a number when the Ingalls are dancing and should be one of the moments the Ingalls can just forget about their hardships. Unfortunately the "star" of the show, Melissa Gilbert, as Ma, looks as if she is more focused on getting her choreography right. This, of course, happens whenever she has to dance which is unfortunate because she is wonderful in all of her other scenes. Outside of those moments, she looks very comfortable onstage. Ms Gilbert is given a solo near the end of the show. While not as vocally trained as the rest of the cast, she delivers the song Wild Child with a proud weariness which works and delivers a quick punch of emotion at the end that almost brings tears to your eyes.

With that said, this is a top notch cast with very few flaws. Vocally the show soars when the Ensemble takes the stage. I must say first and foremost that Carly Rose Sonenclar (Carrie Ingalls) and Kara Lindsay (In the lead role of Laura Ingalls who returns to Denver after her performance in the Denver Center Theatre Company's production of "Quilters") are a joy to behold! Both with perfect timing and wonderful voices. And then there is Kate Loprest as "Nellie" who, during the more uplifting second act, gives Kristen Chenoweth a run for her money. She steals Act 2. As the young man who courts Laura Ingalls, Kevin Massey as Almanzo Wilder delivers a very nice performance and shares a wonderful duet with Kara Lindsay called "Faster", which continues outside of their initial duet. As "Pa", Steve Blanchard seemed to partially walk through his performance. After hearing the research he did for the part, I had expected a bit more, but his performance was not a bad one. Just a bit more low key than I had expected. Alessa Neek beautifully sings and acts the part of Mary Ingalls who goes blind in the first act. While her character goes blind she is totally believable during the transition and after. Another standout is Brian Muller as school student Clarence Brewster. He convincingly plays the "bad boy" in class that, with the advice of Laura's mother, Laura learns how to handle and "turn around".

The choreography by Michelle Lynch is slightly stilted and a bit repetitive. The cast never seems to be able to let loose until the curtain call. Some of that energy should be infused into the actual show. (Mostly in the first act where there are moments that it could happen.) However, there is some inventive choreography that will make you think "that was cool" most notably in the opening and a cute little bit with Ma and the girls!

As far as direction, the show feels a bit choppy. Directed by Francesca Zambello (Who directed "Disney's-The Little Mermaid" which world premiered in Denver), the show feels like it is broken into little segments or vignettes. Even though you can easily follow the story, there isn't a real even "flow" to the piece.

So with all of my conflicting thoughts what did I think when I left the theater? Well, it was a very pleasant night at the theatre. (The show runs for approx 2 and 1/2 hours with intermission) This show tells a simple story with good performances and enough to please the eye. But will it please the audiences it plays to? If the audiences can sit back and just let the story be told without big special effects, American Idol type belting and overly amplified sound (And by the way, the sound was pretty much perfect for this production), yes, they will be pleased. as will those familiar with the books and the TV series. I noticed some very young children in the audience. If this type of show makes them like theater, then possibly, just possibly, musicals that don't depend on the above mentioned will become popular in the future and we can focus on the story and the talent onstage as opposed to the special effects that those extra millions pay for.

Little House on the Prairie with Book by Rachel Sheinken, Music by Rachel Portman, Lyrics by Donna Di Novelli, Choreography by Michelle Lynch and Directed by Francesca Zambello plays the Temple Buell Theater through December 27th. Tickets can be purchased online at www.denvercenter.org or at the box office.