Little House on the Prairie The Musical finally made a wagon train stop in Tempe, Arizona. Of course, I HAD to go. On the opening night no less.
Little House on the Prairie The Musical
Melissa Gilbert plays the part of “Ma”. There is no doubt about it, the lady can sing! Her song to Laura “Wild Child” made me all misty. Steve Blanchard fills the boots of “Pa” quite well. His voice is like golden honey.
The entire cast is truly wonderful! The entire audience laughed and cried throughout the performance.
Kara Lindsay plays the part of Laura in a manner that truly captures your heart. Alessa Neeck is so convincing as Mary and the wonderful Carly Rose Sonenclar is the perfect Carrie.
Of course, you love to hate Nellie Oleson (in pink) played with perfect comedic genius by Kate Loprest.
Above images courtesy of PlaybillBlogging Friends
During intermission, I ran into Mimi. She regularly features posts that are entitled “Brush With Fame Game”. I wish I could have put her in my pocket for what my family and I got to do after the show…
Meeting The Cast
Melissa Gilbert and Michael Boxleitner
When I met Melissa Gilbert in person my full heart made my tear ducts overflow. You see she had given me a priceless gift as a small child. Six years after my father’s death, in July of 1974, my beloved mother lost her battle with cancer. Many of you know that I became a ward of the state of California. But every week, thanks to Melissa and the entire television cast, I STILL had a family. It was truly a surreal experience. Her very handsome son, Michael Boxleitner, who plays the devilishly charming Willie Oleson, and their adorably friendly dog Josephine graciously agreed to a picture. We were joined by the adorable Carly.
Ms. Gilbert, who I must say is stunningly beautiful in person, graciously agreed to sign my copy of her book “Prairie Tale”.
For local Phoenix area residents, there is an article, Pining for the Prairie, in the Thursday edition of the Arizona Republic that you might be interested in reading.
Have a lovely weekend,
Laura
Oh Sweetie…
How fun is this? I love Little House on the Prairie. You actually got to meet her, and ran into Jamie in the midst of it all. Oh my gosh. How fun.
You look absolutely beautiful in green, and it looks like you had a wonderful time. Just wonderful.
I would've loved to see this musical. How on earth did you get to meet everyone?
I'll be checking the paper. Please stop by soon. I love it when you do.
Country hugs sweetie…Sherry
My adult nephew who lives in MN saw the opening of this show last year at the Guthrie and brought me some souvenirs. He thoroughly enjoyed it and I KNOW how meaningful it must have been to you. Thank you for sharing your pictures of such an awesome event.
Hi Laura, I enjoyed your posting! Oh, I hope it makes it to Dallas! The play looks wonderful!
I'm hoping your swap arrived to you safely? I know you've been really busy! Good luck too on your finals! My son is graduating college this semester with an electrical engineering degree, and he's been rather grouchy this past month with all the pressure of finals! I'll be glad when it's over for him here in just a few days, he graduates on Dec. 19th! Suzie
Oh Sweetie…
I had to come back and tell you. I just got hold of the paper, and I absolutely adore this write up. You mean to tell me I had a brush with fame, and didn't even know it. Here you were sitting across the table from me at our AZ luncheon and you never shared you were famous. I could have gotten your autograph, gosh dog it.
I love the picture of you and the write up. And aren't those pink shoes just the cutest things ever? I love them.
Thank you sweetie for sharing with us. I love your story, and I did not know that you had grownup in a foster home. I didn't know any of that. Sad story but look at you now. Almost ready to graduate? I am so happy for you sweetie. So very happy.
Stop by soon. I so love it when you do. Country hugs…Sherry
You all look so beautiful and those SHOES!!!!!! Fantastic!
What a marvelous, touching experience you had. I just love Melissa Gilbert – she's gorgeous. You all are.
Thanks for sharing your inspiring story with all of us.
Blessings always,
Linda ♥
What a wonderful time you had with all your 'relatives'! I'm sure they were just as excited to meet a real relative of LIW!
What a relief to finish up school and be able to enjoy this beautiful season with your family and friends.
MGM
How FUN! My goodness! You are practically a starlet yourself! 🙂
What a wonderful evening!! I wish I would have gotten my act together enough to go to this show. I just love everything “Little House”.
~Liz
I didn't even know that there was a musical on Little House!!! I am dying, I hope, hope I get a chance to see it!
Merry Christmas,
Pam
This is coming to Denver and I've been wanting to get tickets! Thanks for sharing! Looks like so much fun! I'm a Little House Junkie : )
I am green with envy. I loved Little House on the Prairie as a kid.
I just read the above commment– its coming to Denver??? I am so going to try and go see it.
Love the pink shoes.
This musical should certainly come to our country; there are so many musical and little house on the prairy fans over here! Oh those shoes…just to die for!
Ohh, I love Little House on The Prairie!! How wonderful to have seen this! I have always been an admiring fan of Laura…I too felt that this show brought me much happiness in my child hood through many hard times. I still think of myself running in a field of flowers when I need a serene place to go to. How very exciting…so happy for you Laura! Have a wonderful week! 🙂
Hugs and love friend,
~Victoria~
Oh, how absolutely wonderful for you! It would seem to almost be some sort of “completion” in that surreal way you mentioned. I am so happy for you! And a great evening, to boot!
OH how fun! I hope this comes to my area as I would love to go.
How fun you got to meet them and take pictures.
I grew up reading the books then watching the tv show. I still love the stories today.
Hugs
Joanne
Thank you for sharing this with all of us. I am so glad you were able to see Little House and share it with your family.
God has blessed you richly in ways you have not yet discovered.
~Dawn
HI Laura!!!!
Oh my your post is so adorable!!!!!I am so thrilled you mentioned me!!!! It was the most amzing night, it was Stacie's first time to a play!!! Corie and I seem to go often, but since Stacie works away it is hard. You are so nice to have thought of pucking my into your pocket!!!!!That would have been a joy!!!! What an honor to have met the entire cast!!!!!!
They were awesome!!!! I love Melissa Gilbert, always have!!!! I will do the musical on my Brush with fame Monday only mine is pale in comparison to yours!!!!!haha
Good luck with your finals, like I said to you the other night I so admire you for all you do and still go to school, I dream of doing that!!!!!! Just a few college credits and I would be thrilled!!!!! Good luck and hang in there, it's almost over!!!! We can do lunch over your Christmas break!!!! It also was an honor to meet your family, they are all just great!!! Loved your daughters shoes!!!!! And your son is so polite and grown up and Mr. decor is a saint!!!!!
We are off to disneyland early in the morning!!!!YEAH!!!!
hugs,
jamie
Laura,
I always wondered if you were part of THE Ingalls family but I never thought to ask! I don't think I can put in words how much love I've had throughout the years for your cousin's books. I know I told you before about my family member who was named after a dear friend that I lost years ago, but she was also named after her Great Grandmother and after your cousin! And my nephew was named Charles because my sister loves Laura's books as much as I do.
Thank you for bringing joy and beauty to your readers by sharing your life with your writing here
(as your cousin has for her readers). The post that you wrote about your parent's only Christmas together was beautiful and was the reason I began following your blog. Please keep writing. I have a feeling you have many more gifts to share.
♥Becky
OH Sweetie,
How my heart is filled with joy for you. You must have been on cloud nine, the thrill of it all.
I always watched Little House too.
And what a nice lady Melissa is to sign your book and take pictures.WOW!!! I'm glad your Christmas is off to a good start.
Merry Christmas Laura,May God continue his blessings,
XXOO Marie Antionette
Oh you are so lucky! That musical was playing in our area a while back and I wanted to see it so badly. It sounds like you had a fabulous time! Also, I love your hand made ornaments. Exquisite!
What a wonderful post. Thanks for sharing your experience. I am new to blogging but discovered your blog today and will be returning frequently — it's a treasure!
Merry Christmas.
– Deborah
What a truly special experience! I grew up glued to TV watching that show, too.
OK, I am totally utterly completely dying here! You met her! You met Melissa, the woman/girl who played your wonderful Laura! How fantastic is that? Laura that must have felt like a full circle moment for you. That is so great. I don't know why my eyes are leaking at the moment but I just feel your story so deeply and to know personally how far you have come and what you have overcome and to see your life being so incredibly blessed it just speaks to my deep places of the love of the One who carried you through and enabled you to carry on. I am so happy that you shared this moment with us!
*sigh* I soooooooooooo wanted to go to this!!!! what an amazing experience for U…I watched Melissa as Laura growing up…and that show and the books always touched my heart…I am sooooooooooo happy I found your blog…and even happier that u are here in AZ with me! :):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):)