Melissa Gilbert stops in Little Rock for Little House on the Prairie the Musical

November 3, 7:46 PMLittle Rock Theater ExaminerWerner Trieschmann

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Melissa Gilbert is "Ma" in the new musical version of Little House on the Prairie

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It's not that often that a show with as big a profile -- and one that's certain to be headed to New York City -- stops at Little Rock on its way to a bigger stage.

But that's the case with Little House on the Prairie the Musical, which continues at Robinson Center Music Hall in downtown Little Rock through Thursday. The other newsworthy aspect of this new musical is that Melissa Gilbert is playing "Ma."

Call (501) 244-8800 for tickets.

Here is the press release for more details on the show.

Little House on the Prairie has remained one of the most popular and beloved celebrations of pioneering America since Laura Ingalls Wilder published the first book of her classic series 75 years ago. Now the inspirational stories cross into yet another frontier in an uplifting new musical. Melissa Gilbert, who we all knew as “Laura” for 10 years in the much-loved television series is now all grown up and playing “Ma.”

Through the magic of live theatre, the musical follows the Ingalls family‘s journey westward and settlement in DeSmet, South Dakota where Ma and Pa Ingalls hoped to make a better life for their children. It tells the story of their struggle to keep their land claim. In story, song and dance, we see the Ingalls suffering the hardships of winter blizzards and prairie ?res as well as rejoicing in the settlement of land and town. Most of all, the story follows Laura as she grows from the wild child who loved to run free into a woman who embraces the responsibilities of her own future while struggling to remain true to herself.

Recommended for the whole family, LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE, THE MUSICAL brings the joys and sorrows of family life during the settlement of the prairie to contemporary America. Families will continue to identify with these life affirming stories that celebrate the pioneering spirit and the core values on which this country was founded – a spirit that resonates within each of us today.

The show is directed by Francesca Zambello (Disney’s The Little Mermaid), the music has been created by Academy Award® winner, Rachel Portman, and the book was written by Rachel Sheinkin (Tony Award® for SPELLING BEE) with lyrics by Donna di Novelli. LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE, THE MUSICAL premiered at the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis, MN.