Kate Loprest News

If you have fond memories of the Laura Ingalls Wilder Little House books or the popular 1970's TV series, steer clear of the Canon Theatre because your expectations sure to be foiled. The same applies if you are a musical theatre fan out to see this new musical adapted from the novels. Despite a few fine performances the show as a whole just does not work. * 1/2 (OUT OF 5)

LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE has remained one of the most beloved celebrations of pioneer life since the appearance of Laura Ingalls Wilder's classic books 70 years ago. Now the inspirational stories take on a new frontier in an uplifting new musical. Melissa Gilbert, who played Laura in the much-loved television series, continues her legacy, starring as 'Ma'. Families will continue to fall in love with these life-affirming stories of struggle and triumph and the celebration of the pioneer spirit - a spirit that still resonates within each of us today.

Directed by Francesca Zambello (Disney's The Little Mermaid), LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE, THE MUSICAL is currently playing Denver, Colorado.

'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.

LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE, a new musical based on the beloved Laura Ingalls Wilder series of classic American books, made its debut at the Fox Theatre for seven performances, Tuesday, December 1 - Saturday, December 5.

Even if you've never watched the popular TV show that ran from the mid-1970's to the early 1980's, or read Laura Ingalls Wilder's popular children's novel, you'll still find plenty to enjoy watching LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE - THE MUSICAL. This is a sweet and charming show that illustrates the true pioneer spirit of the settlers who forged new lives for themselves in the western frontier.

LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE, a new musical based on the beloved Laura Ingalls Wilder series of classic American books, arrived on November 10th at the Tulsa PAC in Tulsa, Ok. 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 Tulsa engagement of LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE will go on sale on Monday, October 5th.

Musicals Tonight! Continues its ongoing salute to Broadway and Off-Broadway Standbys and Understudies with its next editions of At This Performance...TM to be held on Sunday, November 8th and Monday, November 9th at the McGinn/Cazale Theatre, 2162 Broadway, (above the Promenade Theatre- Broadway at 76th Street), 3rd Floor at 8 PM.

Musicals Tonight! Continues its ongoing salute to Broadway and Off-Broadway Standbys and Understudies with its next editions of At This Performance...TM to be held on Sunday, November 8th and Monday, November 9th at the McGinn/Cazale Theatre, 2162 Broadway, (above the Promenade Theatre- Broadway at 76th Street), 3rd Floor at 8 PM.

Musicals Tonight! Continues its ongoing salute to Broadway and Off-Broadway Standbys and Understudies with its next editions of At This Performance...TM to be held on Sunday, November 8th and Monday, November 9th at the McGinn/Cazale Theatre, 2162 Broadway, (above the Promenade Theatre- Broadway at 76th Street), 3rd Floor at 8 PM.

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.)

Even the presence of Melissa Gilbert - who so memorably played 'Half-Pint' in the Little House TV series of the 1970s and '80s and now is cast as Caroline Ingalls - can't save this musical from mediocrity. Try as they might, Gilbert and her castmates unfortunately just can't get past Sheinkin's overly earnest and plodding book, Portman's completely unmemorable score or Di Novelli's clumsily crafted lyrics. Sheinkin's book does offer some glimmer of hope: There are some lovely moments to be found in the script, but they are too few and far between. Portman's score fares worse, since there is not one melody that can be recalled and all the musical numbers sound alike. Di Novelli's lyrics are even worse. When 'I'm sick with wind sickness' is the only lyric you can remember, you know the show's in trouble. And, clearly, the material is not served well by director Francesca Zambello's seemingly uninspired staging (save for some creatively conceived horse-racing sequences).

Musicals Tonight! returns for its ongoing salute to Broadway and Off-Broadway Standbys and Understudies with its next editions of At This Performance... to be held on Sunday, October 25th and Monday, October 26th at the McGinn/Cazale Theatre at 8 PM. This weekend marks the 6th Anniversary of the concert series.

Musicals Tonight! returns for its ongoing salute to Broadway and Off-Broadway Standbys and Understudies with its next editions of At This Performance... to be held on Sunday, October 25th and Monday, October 26th at the McGinn/Cazale Theatre at 8 PM. This weekend marks the 6th Anniversary of the concert series.

Musicals Tonight! returns for its ongoing salute to Broadway and Off-Broadway Standbys and Understudies with its next editions of At This Performance... to be held on Sunday, October 25th and Monday, October 26th at the McGinn/Cazale Theatre at 8 PM. This weekend marks the 6th Anniversary of the concert series.

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.

Today's Broadway Blogs on BroadwayWorld.com from Monday, October 5, 2009.

After two years of Reduced Shakespeare hijinx, Dustin heads out on tour in the stage version of a kid-lit classic.

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.