Little House on the Prairie and The Seeing Eye Announce Nationwide Partnership

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 of bringing dog guide services to blind people across the U.S. and Canada.

LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE, THE MUSICAL will be presented at Omaha's Orpheum Theater January 12 through January 17, 2010 by Omaha Performing Arts and Broadway Across America.The collaboration between LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE, THE MUSICAL and THESEEING EYE will convey the same spirit of independence, courage and ability to overcome adversity that the THE SEEING EYE founders and the Little House book series, now almost 75 years old, first portrayed so many years ago.LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE and THE SEEING EYE have developed a communityoutreach program to help strengthen the awareness of services that enhance independence for blind people and will help teach respect and etiquette towards people who are blind. Mr. James Kutsch, Jr., president and CEO of THE SEEING EYE and his guide dog, Colby, will make a special presentation at the Omaha Children's Museum, Wednesday, December 30 at 10 a.m. The event, which is open to the public, will help children understand how people who are blind can enhance their daily lives through the use of Seeing Eye dogs. 

LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE, THE MUSICAL AND THE SEEING EYE, page 2"We are thrilled to be partnering with such an iconic and inspirational production to help increaseawareness of the capabilities and challenges of blind people in today's frontier," said Kutsch."Much like the characters in LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE, our graduates, with theirSeeing 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," Kutsch added. "Knowing that we would be drawing audiences throughout the United States and Canada, wewanted to take the opportunity to help THE SEEING EYE spread its mission of enhancing independence for people who are blind," said Melissa Gilbert. "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 that did not exist in Mary's day, thanks to organizations such as THE SEEING EYE.

"Gilbert, who rose to fame as a child playing Laura in the hugely successful 1970s NBC televisionseries "Little House on the Prairie" now continues her "prairie" legacy by taking on the role ofCaroline "Ma" Ingalls.The production also stars Steve Blanchard as Charles "Pa" Ingalls and Kara Lindsay as Laura. 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.

Since 1929, THE SEEING EYE has partnered with people who are blind who seek to enhancetheir independence, dignity, and self-confidence through the use of Seeing Eye dogs. Almost 15,000 of these specially bred and trained dogs have brought a new level of mobility, safety and self-sufficiency to thousands of men and women throughout the United States and Canada.Just as the school's founders pioneered the dog guide movement throughout the world, THESEEING EYE continues its pioneering work today. A leader in canine genetics and medical research, innovator in individualized training techniques, and provider of unparalleled follow-up services for graduates, THE SEEING EYE is known for its personal attention to every student who enters its doors. The organization remains at the forefront of innovation, research, and technology in the field of dog guide services, yet manages to retain a strong sense of family and personal connection.

LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE, THE MUSICAL AND THE SEEING EYE, page 3Based in Morristown, NJ, THE SEEING EYE is a philanthropy supported by contributions fromindividuals, corporations and foundations, bequests and other planned gifts. Because all administrative and fundraising expenses are covered by the endowment, every dollar of every donation goes to support the school's programs.

Tickets for the Omaha engagement of LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE, THE MUSICALmay be purchased at the Ticket Omaha Box Office in the Holland Performing Arts Center, 13th and Douglas streets, Omaha, Neb.; online at TicketOmaha.com or by calling 402-345-0606. Ticket prices range from $28 to $58. For group sales call 402-661-8516 or toll-free 866-434-8587. For more information about LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE, THE MUSICAL and tosupport THE SEEING EYE, visit littlehousethemusical.com/partners

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