Photo Flash: LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE, THE MUSICAL National Tour

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.

Directed by Francesca Zambello (Disney's The Little Mermaid), LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE, THE MUSICAL is currently playing to sold-out houses in its five-week, pre-tour engagement at the Paper Mill Playhouse in Millburn, New Jersey, now through Saturday, October 10.

"We are delighted with the audience response and box office results for LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE," said Mark W. Jones, Executive Director of the Paper Mill Playhouse. "In our first two weeks, we have already sold out 14 performances. With three weeks to go, we expect many more sell outs. I think the success of this production has a lot to do with its themes of American optimism and pioneering spirit. I also think that families need this kind of entertainment as we begin our economic recovery."

Melissa Gilbert, who rose to fame as a child playing Laura in the hugely successful 1970s NBC television series "Little House on the Prairie" now continues her "prairie" legacy by taking on the role of Caroline "Ma" Ingalls.

LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE, THE MUSICAL also stars Steve Blanchard as Charles "Pa" Ingalls and Kara Lindsay as Laura, with Kevin Massey as Almanzo Wilder, Kate Loprest as Nellie Oleson, Alessa Neeck as Mary Ingalls and Carly Rose Sonenclar as Carrie Ingalls.

Initiated for the stage by Adrianne Lobel (A Year with Frog and Toad) and Francesca Zambello, the production features music by Academy Award winner Rachel Portman (Emma), lyrics by Donna di Novelli and a book by Tony Award winner Rachel Sheinkin (The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee).

During its world premiere production in August 2008 at the Guthrie Theatre in Minneapolis, LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE, THE MUSICAL shattered all box-office records and sold-out for 12 consecutive weeks.

For more information and the complete tour route, please visit the official website at www.littlehousethemusical.com.

Photos by Carol Rosegg

Steve Blanchard, Melissa Gilbert and Company

Melissa Gilbert and Steve Blanchard

Kara Lindsay and Kevin Massey

Kara Lindsay and Alessa Neeck

Kara Lindsay

Kevin Massey and Company

Kara Lindsay, Kate Loprest and company

Melissa Gilbert and Steve Blanchard

Kate Loprest (center) Kara Lindsay and company

Kara Lindsay, Steve Blanchard, Melissa Gilbert, Alessa Neeck and Carly Rose Sonenclar