'Little House' makes its way to St. Louis
Will Holston
Issue date: 11/19/09 Section: The Arts
Laura Ingalls Wilder's beloved series of books is coming to St. Louis in an unexpected way.
"Little House on the Prairie," a new musical based on the book series of the same name, is coming to The Fabulous Fox Theatre on Nov. 24. Especially of note is the fact that Melissa Gilbert, who starred as Laura in the TV series based on the books that ran from 1974 to 1982, is playing Ma on the tour.
"At first, I was really intimidated. When I joined the project two years ago, I had no idea she was involved," Kara Lindsay, the actress playing Laura in the production, said. "I came to the first rehearsal, and I saw that she was in the room, and I said, 'OK, now I'm nervous.'"
Nevertheless, Lindsay is glad to have Gilbert around for the support.
"She's been nothing but warm and inviting, which I'm so thankful for," she said. "If anything, it's comforting to have her right there because she's so encouraging."
The production is a coming-of-age tale that follows Laura from early adolescence to her early adulthood, a challenge for Lindsay who plays the character at every age.
"It is a challenge, but I kind of just have to trust and not push it," she said. "I'm 24. It helps that I relate to Laura. Growing up, I was kind of a tomboy … That helps to kind of tune in on that … Obviously the audience has to use [its] imagination."
Making it easier for Lindsay is the fact that she's been involved with the show from an early stage.
"There have been lots of changes, lots and lots of changes," she said. "It's really rewarding. You get to create this yourself. It's what any actor would dream of … [In school], I learned how to create a character … To be able to do that is really amazing."
Lindsay-who up until then had been more interested in sports-had a gradual entry into the world of musical theater.
"I've always danced, so I think that was my in," Lindsay said. "I was really shy when I was young, [but eventually] I got up the nerve to sing for the choir director."
"Little House on the Prairie," a new musical based on the book series of the same name, is coming to The Fabulous Fox Theatre on Nov. 24. Especially of note is the fact that Melissa Gilbert, who starred as Laura in the TV series based on the books that ran from 1974 to 1982, is playing Ma on the tour.
"At first, I was really intimidated. When I joined the project two years ago, I had no idea she was involved," Kara Lindsay, the actress playing Laura in the production, said. "I came to the first rehearsal, and I saw that she was in the room, and I said, 'OK, now I'm nervous.'"
Nevertheless, Lindsay is glad to have Gilbert around for the support.
"She's been nothing but warm and inviting, which I'm so thankful for," she said. "If anything, it's comforting to have her right there because she's so encouraging."
The production is a coming-of-age tale that follows Laura from early adolescence to her early adulthood, a challenge for Lindsay who plays the character at every age.
"It is a challenge, but I kind of just have to trust and not push it," she said. "I'm 24. It helps that I relate to Laura. Growing up, I was kind of a tomboy … That helps to kind of tune in on that … Obviously the audience has to use [its] imagination."
Making it easier for Lindsay is the fact that she's been involved with the show from an early stage.
"There have been lots of changes, lots and lots of changes," she said. "It's really rewarding. You get to create this yourself. It's what any actor would dream of … [In school], I learned how to create a character … To be able to do that is really amazing."
Lindsay-who up until then had been more interested in sports-had a gradual entry into the world of musical theater.
"I've always danced, so I think that was my in," Lindsay said. "I was really shy when I was young, [but eventually] I got up the nerve to sing for the choir director."
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