Photo Coverage: LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE, THE MUSICAL - In Rehearsal

On Wednesday, September 2nd, the cast and creative team of the upcoming national tour of LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE, THE MUSICAL, including Melissa Gilbert as Caroline "Ma" Ingalls, Steve Blanchard as Charles "Pa" Ingalls and Kara Lindsay as Laura Ingalls -- plus director Francesca Zambello, choreographer Michele Lynch and more held a sneak peek rehearsal performance of select scenes from the musical followed by a meet and greet with the cast.

The event took place at The New 42nd Street Studios on 229 West 42nd Street in New York City and BroadwayWorld.com's cameras were there to check out all the 'down home' fun!

LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE, THE MUSICAL,based on Laura Ingalls Wilder's beloved series of classic American books, will launch a 26-city national tour in October 2009, following a five-week engagement at the Paper Mill Playhouse in Millburn, New Jersey - Thursday, September 10 through Saturday, October 10, 2009.

Melissa Gilbert, who rose to fame as a child playing Laura in the hugely successful 1970s NBC television series "Little House on the Prairie," now continues her legacy "on the prairie" by taking on the role of Caroline "Ma" Ingalls. LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE also stars Steve Blanchard as Charles "Pa" Ingalls and Kara Lindsay as Laura Ingalls.

LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE, with Gilbert, Blanchard and Lindsay, had its world premiere production in August 2008 at the Guthrie Theatre in Minneapolis, where it shattered all box-office records and sold-out for 12 consecutive weeks.

Initiated for the stage by Adrianne Lobel (A Year with Frog and Toad) and Francesca Zambello, LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE is directed by Zambello (Disney's The Little Mermaid) and features music by Academy Award winner Rachel Portman (Emma), lyrics by Donna di Novelli and a book by Tony Award winner Rachel Sheinkin (The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee). Michele Lynch is choreographer and Kevin Stites is musical supervisor.

The musical is produced by Ben Sprecher, Amy Sprecher, Louise Forlenza, Bob Boyett, Jay Harris, William Franzblau, Tony Fusco, Larry Feinman, Peter Bezemes, Friendly Theatrical, LLC, Jon B. Platt, Wendy Federman, Michael Filerman, Marc Schwartz, Karl Sydow and Nelle Nugent, in association with Bob Reich and Sharon Carr.

LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE is the uplifting story of an American family forging a new life amidst the mighty challenges, heartbreaks, joys and triumphs that face them in the newly-settled heartland. It is also the story of young Laura Ingalls, as she begins her life as a young woman, finding purpose and finding love. Above all, it is the celebration of the pioneering spirit and the core values on which this country was founded - a spirit that still resonates today.

LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE features Kevin Massey as Almanzo, Kate Loprest as Nellie, Alessa Neeck as Mary and Carly Rose Sonenclar as Carrie. The ensemble includes Taylor Leigh Bera, Michael Boxleitner, Megan Campanile, Kurt Engh, Shawn Hamilton, Jessica Hershberg, Meredith Inglesby, Caroline Innerbichler, Lizzie Klemperer, Garen McRoberts, Brian Muller, Will Ray, Gayle Samuels, Dustin Sullivan, Todd Thurston, Tony Vierling and Christian Whelan.

Following its Paper Mill Playhouse engagement, LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE will launch an extensive national tour at the Ordway Theatre in St. Paul. After a two-week engagement there, the show will continue to cities including Toronto, Tampa, Naples, Raleigh, Sacramento, Houston, Dallas, Nashville, Detroit and St. Louis, among others.

For more information and a complete tour schedule, visit www.LittleHouseTheMusical.com.

Photos by Walter McBride/Retna Ltd.

Francesca Zambello

Francesca Zambello

Little House On The Prairie - The Musical Open Rehearsal

Little House On The Prairie - The Musical Open Rehearsal

Melissa Gilbert

Melissa Gilbert

Melissa Gilbert

Melissa Gilbert

Melissa Gilbert

Melissa Gilbert

Little House On The Prairie - The Musical Open Rehearsal

Melissa Gilbert and Steve Blanchard

Carly Rose Sonenclar, Melissa Gilbert and ensemble

Kevin Massey

Kara Lindsay, Steve Blanchard, Melissa Gilbert, Alessa Neeck and Carly Rose Sonenclar

Kara Lindsay, Steve Blanchard, Melissa Gilbert, Alessa Neeck and Carly Rose Sonenclar

Kara Lindsay, Steve Blanchard, Melissa Gilbert, Alessa Neeck and Carly Rose Sonenclar

Kara Lindsay, Steve Blanchard, Melissa Gilbert, Alessa Neeck and Carly Rose Sonenclar

Steve Blanchard, Carly Rose Sonenclar, Melissa Gilbert, Alessa Neeck, Kara Lindsay and ensemble

Steve Blanchard, Carly Rose Sonenclar, Melissa Gilbert, Alessa Neeck, Kara Lindsay and ensemble

Steve Blanchard, Carly Rose Sonenclar, Melissa Gilbert, Alessa Neeck, Kara Lindsay and ensemble

Alessa Neeck and Kara Lindsay

Alessa Neeck and Kara Lindsay

Alessa Neeck and Kara Lindsay

Alessa Neeck and Kara Lindsay

Alessa Neeck and Kara Lindsay

Carly Rose Sonenclar and Melissa Gilbert

Carly Rose Sonenclar and Melissa Gilbert

Melissa Gilbert

Steve Blanchard, Carly Rose Sonenclar, Melissa Gilbert, Alessa Neeck and Kara Lindsay

Steve Blanchard, Carly Rose Sonenclar, Melissa Gilbert, Alessa Neeck and Kara Lindsay

Kara Lindsay, Steve Blanchard, Melissa Gilbert, Carly Rose Sonenclar and Alessa Neeck

Kara Lindsay, Steve Blanchard, Melissa Gilbert, Carly Rose Sonenclar and Alessa Neeck

Alessa Neeck, Kara Lindsay, Melissa Gilbert and Carly Rose Sonenclar

Alessa Neeck, Kara Lindsay, Melissa Gilbert and Carly Rose Sonenclar

Carly Rose Sonenclar, Melissa Gilbert and Kara Lindsay

Carly Rose Sonenclar, Melissa Gilbert and Kara Lindsay

Carly Rose Sonenclar and Melissa Gilbert

Carly Rose Sonenclar and Melissa Gilbert

Steve Blanchard and Melissa Gilbert

Melissa Gilbert

Melissa Gilbert

Melissa Gilbert

Melissa Gilbert

Melissa Gilbert

Melissa Gilbert

Steve Blanchard and Melissa Gilbert

Steve Blanchard and Melissa Gilbert

Steve Blanchard and Melissa Gilbert

Melissa Gilbert