Francesca Zambello News

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 Center in St. Paul.

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.

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.

Tony nominee Jeff Blumenkrantz (Urban Cowboy, A Class Act, How to Succeed . . .), Kate Wetherhead (Legally Blonde: The Musical, 25th Annual . . . Spelling Bee), and John Kuether (Phantom of the Opera) are scheduled to join previously announced artists Shuler Hensley (Young Frankenstein, Oklahoma), Malcolm Gets, (The Story of My Life, Amour), director Francesca Zambello (The Little Mermaid, Little House on the Prairie), Lisa Brescia (Wicked, Aida, The Lion King's Nathaniel Stampley, and Billy Elliot's Joel Hatch and a star-studded cast of over 25 Broadway and off-Broadway performers in The Sky is Not Falling, a benefit concert for Milwaukee's Skylight Opera Theatre.

Tony nominee Jeff Blumenkrantz (Urban Cowboy, A Class Act, How to Succeed . . .), Kate Wetherhead (Legally Blonde: The Musical, 25th Annual . . . Spelling Bee), and John Kuether (Phantom of the Opera) are scheduled to join previously announced artists Shuler Hensley (Young Frankenstein, Oklahoma), Malcolm Gets, (The Story of My Life, Amour), director Francesca Zambello (The Little Mermaid, Little House on the Prairie), Lisa Brescia (Wicked, Aida, The Lion King's Nathaniel Stampley, and Billy Elliot's Joel Hatch and a star-studded cast of over 25 Broadway and off-Broadway performers in The Sky is Not Falling, a benefit concert for Milwaukee's Skylight Opera Theatre.

Tony-winner Shuler Hensley (Young Frankenstein, Oklahoma), Broadway, television and film star Malcolm Gets (The Story of My Life, Amour), acclaimed director Francesca Zambello (The Little Mermaid, Little House on the Prairie) Lisa Brescia (Wicked, Aida) The Lion King's Nathaniel Stampley, and Billy Elliot's Joel Hatch are all scheduled to appear in THE SKY IS NOT FALLI¬NG a benefit concert for the SKYLIGHT OPERA THEATRE at 8:00 p.m. Monday, October 5th, 2009 at St. Luke's Theatre at 308 W. 46th Street (off 8th Avenue).

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.)

Tony-winner Shuler Hensley (Young Frankenstein, Oklahoma), Broadway, television and film star Malcolm Gets (The Story of My Life, Amour), acclaimed director Francesca Zambello (The Little Mermaid, Little House on the Prairie) Lisa Brescia (Wicked, Aida) The Lion King's Nathaniel Stampley, and Billy Elliot's Joel Hatch are all scheduled to appear in THE SKY IS NOT FALLI¬NG a benefit concert for the SKYLIGHT OPERA THEATRE at 8:00 p.m. Monday, October 5th, 2009 at St. Luke's Theatre at 308 W. 46th Street (off 8th Avenue).

Producers Ben Sprecher and Louise Forlenza for Global Broadway Productions are pleased to announce that Sierra Boggess (The Little Mermaid), Brent Barrett (Phantom - The Las Vegas Spectacular, Chicago, Annie Get Your Gun) and Pia Douwes (Chicago) will headline an upcoming industry reading of the Broadway/West End-bound musical REBECCA on Friday, October 2 in London.

Tony nominee Jeff Blumenkrantz (Urban Cowboy, A Class Act, How to Succeed . . .), Kate Wetherhead (Legally Blonde: The Musical, 25th Annual . . . Spelling Bee), and John Kuether (Phantom of the Opera) are scheduled to join previously announced artists Shuler Hensley (Young Frankenstein, Oklahoma), Malcolm Gets, (The Story of My Life, Amour), director Francesca Zambello (The Little Mermaid, Little House on the Prairie), Lisa Brescia (Wicked, Aida, The Lion King's Nathaniel Stampley, and Billy Elliot's Joel Hatch and a star-studded cast of over 25 Broadway and off-Broadway performers in The Sky is Not Falling, a benefit concert for Milwaukee's Skylight Opera Theatre.

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.

Francesca Zambello, off her recent success with Little House on the Prairie now playing at the Papermill Playhouse, is confirmed to direct a rare staging of Tchaikovsky's THE TSARINA'S SLIPPER'S for Britain's Royal Opera House, according to reports. The production will run November 20 - December 8 at Covent Garden.

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.