LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE - The Musical
This summer the Guthrie Theatre in Minneapolis will present the world premiere of LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE…the musical. There are a couple of interesting developments in this production. As many of you already know Melissa Gilbert will be making her musical theatre debut playing Caroline…and my former Westside Story understudy, Steve Blanchard, will be there playing Charles. Its funny how the Little House world stays connected to itself. I have no doubt that this production will have a huge appeal for Little House fans…the real test of course will be to find out if the production has an appeal for non LIW devotees. We’ll all be waiting and hoping. Dean
April 16th, 2008 at 3:13 pm
That’s great news! We had heard a bit about this, but we hadn’t received any updates lately. How neat that your understudy is playing Charles.
Would you mind if I mention this at my new Little House blog - http://lauralittlehouseontheprairie.blogspot.com/
Thanks.
Cheryl
April 16th, 2008 at 3:20 pm
Wow, I wish I lived in Minneapolis. I’d be there on opening night. Can she really sing, LOL? Not sure if we have ever heard her sing before. Go get ‘em Melissa. Hope the show is a success.
Marilyn
April 16th, 2008 at 10:53 pm
Cheryl:
Please feel free to mention it on your blog…
Dean
April 17th, 2008 at 2:01 am
Dean,
I wonder if you ever thought about playing the part of Charles in the LH-musical yourself.
I am sure many of us, the LHOP fans, would love to see you in that role.
Martha
April 17th, 2008 at 5:33 am
Thanks Dean. The announcement is up now. I thought Patrick Swayze was supposed to play Charles. I suppose he was replaced due to his illness. I hope and pray that he makes a full recovery.
Thanks again for sharing this update.
Cheryl
April 17th, 2008 at 8:16 pm
This is very exciting news! I’m also a little down because I plan to be om Minneapolis this summer around the 19th and 20th of July and the dates at the Guthrie Theatre show July 26th - October 2008. BUMMER! But, I will be there in spirit and hope the show gets rave reviews.
Hey dean,
Do you still have Michael Landon’s hat you used on LHOP? You should give it to your understudy for good luck.
April 18th, 2008 at 6:35 pm
Hi, looking very forward to seeing this musical this summer, although trying to retrain my brain to recognize Melissa as Ma is going to be difficult!! She will forever be Laura to me! Also looking forward to seeing you in Malone! Lots of Little House travel this summer!
April 19th, 2008 at 9:13 am
Wow! That sounds great. Maybe I’ll get to meet Melissa some day after all. Minneapolis has a bed and breakfast waiting for me anytime, and it’s within distance from my home…..Hope I can make it.
April 19th, 2008 at 7:27 pm
For real? I’ve not seen this mentioned anywhere else. I find the possibility terribly exciting, so I hope I’ve just missed it or that you’ve got an inside track on the info. As I understood it, Melissa played Caroline and Patrick Swayze played Charles when the show was workshopped last spring in New York City, but I was led to believe that was just for the workshop.
April 21st, 2008 at 3:50 pm
With your musical theater background ~and the chemistry between you and Melissa - I don’t understand why your not in it. I’m sure it will be very entertaining, but with the total casting blunder – I have no confidence it will be a hit.
I also know your very content working behind the scenes but I’m thinking you should consider working with ML Jr. ~he makes wonderful films and you seem like a nice fit.
April 21st, 2008 at 4:27 pm
Sandra:
My information is very reliable. Due to his very serious illness Patrick Swayze needed to step away from the project. Melissa gives them the star power they need to run at the Guthrie. Beyond that I’m sure everyone has options. I think its going to be fun.
All best,
Dean
April 21st, 2008 at 4:29 pm
Cici…
Do I know you? Your message has a familiar ring to it. Hmmm.
Dean
April 22nd, 2008 at 1:34 pm
All right! This is the best news I’ve heard all month. Thanks so much!
April 24th, 2008 at 5:24 pm
I am sure Melissa will pull it off. She seems to be a woman who puts her mind to something and acheives it. I am sure if Melissa could not sing they would not have hired her. I think the production would be great if they cast Allison Argim as Mrs Olsen! Then Mrs Olsen and Caroline can go at it like Laura and Nellie did.
Dean, if you could have picked Charles, who would you have hired?
I personally think you would have made a great Charles, but to all of your fans, you and Melissa will always be Laura and Almanzo.
Have you talked to Karen Grassle about how she feels about Melissa playing Caroline?
Patricia