Patrick Swayze and Melissa Gilbert as Ma and Pa in LITTLE HOUSE musical!

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 3/15/07 at 8:31pm

VERY bizarre casting (he more than she, but does Gilbert sing?) But the show itself is quite good. Its been kicking around in workshop readings for a while. I'm glad to see its moving forward.

http://www.backstage.com/bso/news_reviews/nyc/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003558949 Updated On: 3/15/07 at 08:31 PM

[muscle23ftl]

Posted: 3/15/07 at 8:34pm

I'd see it.

Posted: 3/15/07 at 8:41pm

i'd like to see it!
cant wait to see whos gonna play Mrs Olsen & Nellie!!!

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 3/15/07 at 8:42pm

Oh honey, I don't think those characters are in it. Those roles were majorly built up for the television series. I think Nellie Olson is mentioned once in the entire LITTLE HOUSE series of books.

[Yero my Hero]

Posted: 3/15/07 at 8:43pm

"The workshop will run April 17 and 17 in New York"

...Okay then.

Posted: 3/15/07 at 8:45pm

...the tears of disappoinment.....

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 3/15/07 at 8:48pm

Don't cry! Who knows! Maybe Alison Amgrim will be the standby for Melissa Gilbert!
Updated On: 3/15/07 at 08:48 PM

[Testing1232]

Posted: 3/15/07 at 9:13pm

Wow !! If they throw in the Albert drug problem days, I am there !

[sidneybruhl]

Posted: 3/15/07 at 9:35pm

Bizarre casting, but I'm interested!

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 3/15/07 at 9:35pm

Melissa Gilbert probably bought the rights to everything that has to do with LITTLE HOUSE ever ever ever.

[Josephine2]

Posted: 3/15/07 at 9:49pm

Francesca Zambello is sure staying busy!

Posted: 3/15/07 at 9:51pm

i was imagining a big number for Nellie & Mrs Olsen.....*sigh*

you know they would steal the show.

[HumATune]

Posted: 3/15/07 at 9:55pm

I think Nellie Olson is mentioned once in the entire LITTLE HOUSE series of books.

Actually she's featured quite a bit in "On The Banks of Plum Creek" and "Little Town On the Prairie". It's Mrs. Oleson that's barely mentioned.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 3/15/07 at 9:56pm

Harriet Harris would have been the obvious choice. *sigh*

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 3/15/07 at 9:58pm

well what would have been great is if they had a musical sequence where Laura pushes her down the cliff in the wheelchair - my favorite episode!

You're right Hum - I forgot about her role in LITTLE TOWN. Though as I remember it - the character isn't nearly as cruel and nasty in the books as on the tv show. She's poor for one - and that's never fun for camp.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 3/15/07 at 10:11pm

The question has to be asked:

Have they included the scene where the blind school is on fire and Mrs. Garvey uses the baby as a battering ram to break the window?

[bdwybug55]

Posted: 3/15/07 at 11:01pm

Patrick Swayze? Definitely not the person I ever would have thought of for this role. Interesting.

[Anakela]

Posted: 3/16/07 at 12:04am

I swear this was my first thought on reading the headline: Nobody puts Half-Pint in a corner.

It is way past my bedtime...

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 3/16/07 at 1:22am

How do you "Star" in a workshop that is not even open to the public?
I guess Francessca is looking for a job after LITLLE MERMAID tanks.

[best12bars]

Posted: 3/16/07 at 5:30am

I'm intrigued by this. I hope it works!

[Testing1232]

Posted: 3/16/07 at 8:09am

Casting thoughts for Mr. Edwards? Remember... actor has to be able to sing that "ol Nantucket" song ..

[blueroses]

Posted: 3/16/07 at 8:40am

Testing, Albert was HOT! I had a crush. Even in those dark drug years. I blame it all on Olivia's death!

Loved Little House.

[wally]

Posted: 3/16/07 at 9:56am

I believe Albert was a made-up character for the TV series.

I'd see it, I loved the show and the books (from what I remember). I just started watching again on TV Land...

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 3/16/07 at 10:09am

More information from VARIETY:

For the workshop, Francesca Zambello, helmer of Disney's Rialto-bound stage version of "The Little Mermaid," directs a cast that also includes Sara Chase as Laura, as well as Michael Arden ("The Times They Are A-Changin'"), Jenny Galloway ("Les Miserables") and Sara Ford.

Beth Henley ("Crimes of the Heart") wrote the book for "Prairie," which has music by screen composer Rachel Portman (who won an Oscar in 1997 for "Emma") and lyrics by Donna DiNovelli. Story follows a pioneering American family in the late 19th century.

Design team will include Adrianne Lobel (sets), Natasha Katz (lights) and Martin Pakledinaz (costumes).

Producing team, headed by Ben Sprecher ("A Moon for the Misbegotten") and wife Amy, a children's TV exec producer, also includes Louise Forlenza, Bob Boyett ("The History Boys," "Coram Boy") and Wendy Federman. Both Forlenza and Federman are producers of "Misbegotten."

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 3/16/07 at 10:10am

Variety adds:
Sara Chase
Sara Ford
Jenny Galloway
and
Michael Arden.