Melissa Gilbert to Headline Little House on the Prairie Musical at Guthrie

Melissa Gilbert, best known for her childhood turn as Laura Ingalls Wilder in the beloved TV series Little House on the Prairie, will be returning to the great plains this summer in a musical version of the classic. The new stage adaptation will make its premiere at Minneapolis' Guthrie Theatre, beginning previews July 26, opening August 15 and running through October 5. Broadway's Little Mermaid director Francesca Zambello will direct.

Gilbert, who starred in the series throughout its 1974-1983 run, will trade Laura's gingham dresses for her mother's apron, assuming the role of house matriarch Ma. Beauty and the Beast veteran Steve Blanchard will play Pa, a part made famous by the late actor Michael Landon. They are joined by newcomer Kara Lindsay as Laura, Jenn Gambatese last seen on Broadway in Is He Dead? and as Jane in Tarzan as older sister Mary, Sara Jean Ford Christine in the national tour of The Phantom of the Opera, off-Broadway's The Fantasticks as notorious antagonist Nellie, Kevin Massey Tarzan as Laura's love interest Almanzo Wilder and 14-year-old Maeve Moynihan ad Carrie.

Ensemble members include Tori Adams, Mathias Anderson, Lexy Armour, Robert O. Berdahl, Kurt Engh, Shawn Hamilton, Caroline Innerbichler, Norah Long, Ryan McCartan, Addi McDaniel, Mary Jo Mecca, Prince Michael Okolie, James Ramlet, David L. Ruffin, Gayle Samuels, Amy Schroeder, Tony Vierling and Jordan Young.

Little House features music by Oscar-winning film composer Rachel Portman Emma, lyrics by Donna DiNovelli and book by The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee's Rachel Sheinkin.

Like the TV series, the musical is based on the much-loved autobiographical series of books by author Laura Ingalls Wilder, whose pioneer family set down in 19th century South Dakota. The original NBC series was a two-time People's Choice Award winner and garnered three Emmy wins during its run.

Gilbert built a successful performance career on her Little House foundation, appearing over the next 30 years on TV shows such as Touched by an Angel, Hollywood Wives, 7th Heaven and Nip/Tuck. She also appeared onstage, winning an Outer Critics Circle Award and Theatre World Award in 1988 for her performance in A Shanya Maidel. In November 2001 she was elected President of the Screen Actors Guild, a position which she held until 2005. Gilbert helped workshop the musical adaptation of Little House in 2007 opposite Patrick Swayze, who played Pa.

The artistic team includes Adrianne Lobel Set Designer, Jess Goldstein Costume Designer, Mark McCullough Lighting Designer, Scott W. Edwards Sound Designer, Mary-Mitchell Campbell Musical Supervisor/Conductor, Michele Lynch Choreographer, Larry Hochman Orchestrations, Jo Holcomb Dramaturgy, Tim Federle Associate Director/Associate Choreographer, John M. Galo Stage Manager, Jill B. Gounder Assistant Stage Manager and Michele Harms Assistant Stage Manager. Little House on the Prairie is being produced at the Guthrie by special arrangement with Global Prairie Productions, Inc.