Little House on the Prairie (musical)

Little House on the Prairie
Poster for the original 2008 Guthrie production
Music	Rachel Portman
Lyrics	Donna di Novelli
Book	Rachel Sheinkin
Basis	Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder
Productions	2009-2010 1st National tour (US) 2009 Paper Mill Playhouse Millburn, New Jersey 2008 Guthrie Minneapolis, Minnesota

Little House on the Prairie is a book musical adapted from the children's books, Little House on the Prairie, by Laura Ingalls Wilder. The creative team includes Rachel Sheinkin (book), Rachel Portman (music), Donna di Novelli (lyrics), and Francesca Zambello (director). The musical premiered in regional theatre at the Guthrie, Minneapolis, Minnesota, followed by a tour in 2009-2010 of the United States, starting at the Paper Mill Playhouse in Millburn, New Jersey.

The musical takes place in the 1880s, when the Ingalls family takes advantage of the government opening land for settlement in the Dakota Territory.

The musical premiered at the Guthrie Theater, Minneapolis, Minnesota and ran from July 26 in previews, opening August 15, through October 19, 2008. It broke numerous records at the Gutherie. The cast included Melissa Gilbert as "Ma", Steve Blanchard as "Pa", Kara Lindsay (Laura), Jenn Gambatese (Mary), Sara Jean Ford (Nellie), Kevin Massey (Almanzo Wilder) and Brian Muller (Clarence Brewster). The musical then began a 5-week engagement at the Paper Mill Playhouse, Millburn, New Jersey, on September 10, 2009 prior to a US National tour that began in October 2009 at the Ordway Theatre, St. Paul, Minnesota. Gilbert, Blanchard, Lindsay and Massey continue their roles. Direction is by Francesca Zambello, with choreography by Michele Lynch (Broadway's Everyday Rapture, Coast of Utopia), scenic design by Adrianne Lobel, costume design by Jess Goldstein (Broadway's Jersey Boys), and lighting design by Mark McCullough.