'Little House' musical set for summer premiere

MINNEAPOLIS - The world of Laura Ingalls Wilder's popular "LittleHouse on the Prairie" books will come to life this summer at theGuthrie Theater.

A musical based on the "Little House" books about Wilder'spioneering Midwest family will have its world premiere Aug. 15.Previews start July 26. Performances run through Oct. 5.

"If ever there was a subject matter that suited our region, it isLaura Ingalls Wilder's books," Guthrie director Joe Dowling said ata "Little House" sneak peek Tuesday.

Francesca Zambello, who will direct, said the musical will focuson the time the books' main character, Laura, spent as a teenagergrowing up in the 1880s.

Zambello said the middle books of the nine-book "Little House"series will form the basis of the musical. Having Laura as ateenager instead of an 8-year-old "made it much more theatrical,"she said.

Rachel Portman, who won an Academy Award for her score for the1996 movie "Emma," composed the music for "Little House." RachelSheinkin, who won a Tony for "The 25th Annual Putnam County SpellingBee," wrote the book for "Little House," while Donna di Novelliwrote the lyrics.

Zambello said Portman was a logical choice.

"It was clear to me that she had the voice, she could capture thespirit of the land but also the great melodies that would give uscharacter songs and ballads and dances and duets, and that world wassomething she could create," Zambello told The Associated Press.

Wilder was born in Pepin, Wis. The action of the musical startsin western Minnesota where her family relocated, then moves toDeSmet, S.D., where the Ingalls family moved to file a land claim,Zambello said.

"They were constantly moving. They were poor, poor people,constantly in search of land that would yield them something," shesaid.

Zambello, who directed Disney's "The Little Mermaid" on Broadwayearlier this year, said she hopes "Little House" appeals to morethan the built-in audience of fans of the books and the TV seriesthat starred Michael Landon.

And she said the show's appeal isn't limited to just girls. "Ithink it's boys, I think it's families," she said.

Zambello said it's coincidental that the "Little House" creativeteam is mainly women.

"I think it's great. It wasn't on purpose. These are just thebest people for the job," she said.

Ticket prices range from $29 to $75. Single tickets go on sale tothe public June 27.

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