Laura Ingalls Wilder Events May 2024

We’ve got a super bunch of events this May. From clean up events for sites to TV events to the musical. There is a little something for everyone this month.

Pepin WI

Home at Laura’s Place – 9:00 am to 5:00pm (2nd weekend, Saturday and Sunday)

• May 11-12, 2024

Visit the Little House Wayside in Pepin, WI on these special weekends to see the cabin fully furnished and re-enactors demonstrating the arts of daily living in the 1870s.  This is a cooperative activity of the Laura Ingalls Wilder Memorial Society, the Laura Ingalls Wilder Days Committee, and the Austin Tea Party Players.

50th Anniversary Cast Reunion Event – Villa Bellezza Winery and Vineyards in Pepin, WI – May 10-11, 2024, LaCrosse WI – May 12, 2024 (See more detail under cast reunion)

Independence KS

This year Prairie Days has been changed into a cast reunion event. There is more information under the reunion events section.

50th Anniversary Event – Independence, KS – Prairie Days-A LHOTP Cast 50th Celebration on May 31 – June 2, 2024

Burr Oak IA

• Laura’s Sack Lunch Drive-Thru Meal – May 5, 2024
  A fundraising drive through featuring the Winnesheik County Cattlemen. It also includes an open house at the new school building with live music, presentations by their Little Miss Lauras, and refreshments.

Spring Valley MN

• Spring Cleaning  May 4, 2024

Little House on the Prairie: The Musical

Morristown, NJ
May 11-12, 18-19, 2024
Basic Information:
http://www.spotlightkidscompany.com/tickets.html

The Greek Theatre in Morris Township
2 Convent Road
Morristown, NJ 07960
E-mail Contact Form:
http://www.spotlightkidscompany.com/contact-us.html

 

Sarah S. Uthoff is a nationally known Laura Ingalls Wilder authority and has presented at five of the Wilder homesites, many times at the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum, many conferences and numerous libraries, museums, and events around the Midwest. She is the main force behind Trundlebed Tales fighting to bring the History, Mystery, Magic, and Imagination of Laura Ingalls Wilder and other greats of children’s literature and history to life for a new generation. How can you help?  Attend one of her programs,  schedule one  yourself,  watch her videos,  listen to her podcast,   look at her photos, and find her  on   Facebook ,   Twitter ,     LinkedIn ,     SlideShare,   and  Academia.edu . Professionally she is a reference librarian at Kirkwood Community College and former director of the Oxford (Iowa) Public Library.

Laura Ingalls Wilder Christmas Plays 2022

Community Christmas Tree from Hoover Presidential Library Christmas Tree Exhibit 2010

Here are the Christmas Laura plays from this year. I hope you can attend one. Look for next year’s list and be sure to tell your local theaters that these plays are available.

Christmas Plays and Laura – An Annual Tradition

It’s time to get in the mood for the holidays and for many families attending a Laura Ingalls Wilder play. There are five titles that are currently running on the circuit.

• • A Laura Ingalls Wilder Christmas by Laurie Brooks
  • A Little House Christmas by James DeVita
  • Melodies and Memories of Laura Ingalls Wilder by Laree Fletcher Florence
  • A Little House Christmas at Plum Creek by Lisa Cordes
  • Patchwork – the Life of Laura Ingalls Wilder

I’ve only found productions of the two of these works this year, but I’ve included information for all five in case you want to encourage a local theater group to put one on for next year. Remind them there are only SO many versions of A Christmas Carol they can do and one of these might make a fun change.

It doesn’t really have a strong Christmas connection Little House on the Prairie: The Musical is also available for production and has a couple of shows in or nearing production.

Little House on the Prairie: The Musical

This play was originally opened at the Guthrie and had an international tour. Then lay fallow for about 10 years before rights were released for purchase for local production groups. I try to keep track of productions if you find out about one, please let me know. I missed several this spring and I’m only including back to October on this list since that’s the start of Christmas shopping season. If you missed it at any of these locations and would go to see it – tell them! Sometimes theaters remount popular plays if people ask for them.

Elkhart, IN

• Friday, Oct. 14th 7:30pm
• Saturday, Oct. 15th 7:30pm
• Sunday, Oct. 16th 3:00pm
  The Lerner Theatre

Fergus, Ontario, Canada
October 21-23, and 28-30, 2022

Basic Information:
Elora Community Theater
http://www.eloracommunitytheatre.com/tickets.html

Quincy, IL
December 9-11 & 15-18, 2022

Basic Information:
https://www.1qct.org/shows/little-house-on-the-prairie-the-musical

Quincy Community Theater
300 Civic Center Plaza
Suite 118
Quincy, IL 62301

(217) 222-3209
qct@1qct.org

Eau Claire, WI
February 3-5, 2023

Basic Information:
https://www.pablocenter.org/all-events/589/ecct-little-house-on-the-prairie

Pablo Center at the Confluence
128 Graham Ave
Eau Claire WI 54701

1 (715) 832-2787 (spells ARTS)

A Laura Ingalls Wilder Christmas by Laurie Brooks

If you want your local group to try it next year, check out the script and production rights. Learn the basics. Check out the author’s page.

Here’s a clip from a production in 2012.

Knoxville, TN

Public Dates

• Friday, Dec. 9 @ 7:30 pm
• Saturday, Dec. 10 @ 2:30 pm
• Sunday, Dec. 11 @ 2:30 pm

School Dates

• Friday, Dec. 9 @ 9:30 am
• Monday, Dec. 12 @ 9:30 am & NOON
• Tuesday, Dec. 13 @ 9:30 am
• Wednesday, Dec. 14 @ 9:30 AM

Basic Information:
https://wordplayers.org/current-season/mainstage-shows/laura-ingalls-wilder-christmas

Clayton Performing Arts Center
Pellissippi State Community College – Hardin Valley Campus
10915 Hardin Valley Road
Knoxville, TN 37933-0990

(865) 539-2490

A Little House Christmas by James Devita

Check with the author for production rights. Learn more about him.

Shots from a production.

Coppell, TX

December 2-4, 9-11, 16-18, 2022

Basic Information:
https://www.coppellartscenter.org/events/detail/theatre-coppell-a-little-house-christmas

Coppell Arts Center
505 Travis Street
Coppell, TX 75019

(972) 745-7719

Melodies and Memories of Laura Ingalls Wilder by Laree Fletcher Florence

Check out this clip from a 2009 production.

No current productions found this year.

A Little House Christmas at Plum Creek

Here’s a story about its release.

No current productions this year.

Patchwork – the Life of Laura Ingalls Wilder

I don’t have much information on this one except that it did have a booking as recently as 2019.

No current productions this year.

North Alabama Christmas Market – Cotton Gin at Roberson Farm, Rogersville, AL

December 3-4, 2022

Admission to the North Alabama Christmas Market is $10, children 12 & under are free! Please have your cash ready as it helps with the lines getting in.

Cast members from the Little House on the Prairie will be:
Dean Bulter (Almanzo Wilder),
Charlotte Stewart (Miss Beadle),
Patrick Labyorteaux (Andy Garvey),
Wendi Lou Lee (Baby Grace Ingalls) &
Pamela Roylance (Sarah Carter).

Each cast member  will have autographed pictures for sell for $20 each. If you have an item to autograph of your own, it is $10, per signature. They will also have CDs, Books, and other fun collectibles.

General Admission tickets for Saturday & Sunday for the North Alabama Christmas Market are only sold at the gate! The actors will be at the Christmas Market both days.

We will have vendors both inside & outside of the old Cotton Gin. You will find everything from Vintage/Antiques to homemade crafts! AND lots of great food vendors.

Now, here are the limited ticket events:

Presale tickets for the Saturday “Early Bird”

Event are now on presale! Only 500 will be sold! These tickets get you in at 8:30 am!

Ticket Link:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/443872232797

AND the Sunday LHOTP Breakfast at Fuqua’s Southern Soul Food.

Ticket link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/449519493907

Sarah S. Uthoff is a nationally known Laura Ingalls Wilder authority and has presented at five of the Wilder homesites, many times at the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum, many conferences and numerous libraries, museums, and events around the Midwest. She is the main force behind Trundlebed Tales fighting to bring the History, Mystery, Magic, and Imagination of Laura Ingalls Wilder and other greats of children’s literature and history to life for a new generation. How can you help? Attend one of her programs, schedule one yourself, watch her videos,  listen to her podcast,   look at her photos, and find her on Facebook ,  Twitter ,  LinkedIn ,   SlideShare,   and Academia.edu . Professionally she is a reference librarian at Kirkwood Community College and former director of the Oxford (Iowa) Public Library.

Walnut Grove Pageant Interview

This post is coming later than it should have because when this first “aired” they were only going to leave the video up for future viewing a few weeks. It now looks like they’re up for the long haul and so I’m sharing it now.

Walnut Grove Pageant

Every year the community of Walnut Grove come together to recreate the world of the early days of the town. They have shows for 3 weekends each July. The show plays in a natural amphatheater near Plum Creek, just downstream of the Ingalls farm. Of the three active Laura Ingalls Wilder pageants, I always say Walnut Grove is most like a Hollywood production. They have special effects for the grasshopper invasion. They have sets built in railroad cars that turn 180 degrees so when the scene is in the house you’re in the house and when the scene is outside you’re outside the house. They build a church complete with a church tower. There are live fire effects including a pipe that makes a prairie fire whip across the set. It even has a theme song!

Disaster Strikes

Back in 2018, they were hit by a huge flash flood. The storm was right before the first pageant weekend. The entire pageant grounds flooded and took out a lot of their props and equipment. Amazingly they were able to perform the second and third weekends. Then with the pademic this year they had to completely shut down.

Digital Pageant

So this year instead of putting on a normal pageant, they created a digital series. On each would have been pageant night they put on a live show. Each included an interview (most of them featured 2) and a scene that could potentially be added to the pageant.

Uthoff of Trundlebed Tales

I’m proud to say that I was included in an episode. I even talk about a couple of future projects I’m working on. Take a look.

Back to the Future

I’m betting that if you’re following me you know that American Masters is going to be doing a special episode on Laura Ingalls Wilder. It’s going to air on December 29, 2020 on your local PBS station. Right AFTER that you’re going to want to go to the Walnut Grove Pageant Facebook page as we do an after commentary. Watch their Facebook page for more.

UPDATED December 4 2020: I was just a little too fast! They just relased a video that is only the my interview. I added that in the first part of the post and left the full night’s episode below.

Sarah S. Uthoff is a nationally known Laura Ingalls Wilder authority and has presented at five of the Wilder homesites, many times at the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum, many conferences and numerous libraries, museums, and events around the Midwest. She is the main force behind Trundlebed Tales fighting to bring the History, Mystery, Magic, and Imagination of Laura Ingalls Wilder and other greats of children’s literature and history to life for a new generation. How can you help? Attend one of her programs, schedule one yourself, watch her videos,   listen to her podcast,    look at her photos, and find her on Facebook ,   Twitter ,   LinkedIn ,   SlideShare,   and Academia.edu . Professionally she is a reference librarian at Kirkwood Community College and former director of the Oxford (Iowa) Public Library.

Laura Ingalls Wilder Digital Pageants 2020

This year all three of the Laura Ingalls Wilder pageants were canceled (Walnut Grove, De Smet, Mansfield, inclusive). The Walnut Grove and De Smet pageants decided to go online. Note these videos are only up temporarily so once they come down the links will be broken.

De Smet Pageant

This year the De Smet Pageant was supposed to be The Long Winter. They are on a system now where they rotate through all the novels in the series set in De Smet. They thought it would be too hard to get permission to do the book. I had originally hoped they’d do the Hallmark Hall of Fame radio play (which they had the rights to and which would have been really cool). Instead they announced that it was going to be based more on other people’s experiences in town.

Having seen it now, it was still more focused on the Ingalls family than I expected. It still has more on real people than the supporting player status they normally get.

They live streamed it on Facebook on Saturday, July 11, 2020. It was repeated twice on South Dakota Public Radio and for right now you can still stream the Facebook version.

Walnut Grove Pageant

The Walnut Grove Pageant took a different tack. They are had a program what should have been each night of the pageant. They joint livestreamed on Facebook and YouTube. There were some technological issues on a couple of the nights, but for a brand new attempt they did a great job.

Currently the episodes are still available on YouTube, but they’ll be coming down. However, they are working on released them on DVD. An additional fundraising project for it is selling these great shirts.

Support Your Local Pageant

Fans who visit some of the places that Laura Ingalls Wilder lived have been able to get a peek at “Laura” and her family through a pageant. These pageants have been going for decades. They are staged almost entirely by volunteers. It’s amazing they’ve been able to stay going for as long as they have. Reach out to the pageants, donate to their fundraisers. Help keep the pageants around for your dream trip.

Sarah S. Uthoff is a nationally known Laura Ingalls Wilder authority and has presented at five of the Wilder homesites, many times at the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum, many conferences and numerous libraries, museums, and events around the Midwest. She is the main force behind Trundlebed Tales fighting to bring the History, Mystery, Magic, and Imagination of Laura Ingalls Wilder and other greats of children’s literature and history to life for a new generation. How can you help? Attend one of her programs, schedule one yourself, watch her videos,   listen to her podcast,    look at her photos, and find her on Facebook ,   Twitter ,   LinkedIn ,   SlideShare,   and Academia.edu . Professionally she is a reference librarian at Kirkwood Community College and former director of the Oxford (Iowa) Public Library.

Laura Ingalls Wilder Christmas Plays 2019

Photo in Wilder Farmhouse – Courtesy of Connie Jenkins

 

 

I’m late this year listing the Laura Christmas productions this year, but I wanted to get a record of them up anyway. Look for next year’s list and be sure to tell your local theaters that these plays are available.

Christmas Plays and Laura – An Annual Tradition

It’s time to get in the mood for the holidays and for many families attending a Laura Ingalls Wilder play. There are four titles that are currently running on the circuit.

• A Laura Ingalls Wilder Christmas by Laurie Brooks
• A Little House Christmas by James DeVita
• Melodies and Memories of Laura Ingalls Wilder

• A Little House Christmas at Plum Creek by Lisa Cordes

I’ve only found productions of the first two works this year, but I’ve included information for all four in case you want to encourage a local theater group to put one on for next year. Remind them there are only SO many versions of A Christmas Carol they can do and one of these might make a fun change.

I’ll also mention that although it really doesn’t have much of a Christmas connection Little House on the Prairie: The Musical is also available for production. Spread the word!

Little House on the Prairie: The Musical

This play was originally opened at the Guthrie and had an international tour. Then lay  fallow for about 10 years before rights were released for purchase for local production groups. I’ll try to keep track of productions if you find out about one, please let me know.

Rochester, MN

December 6-7, 13-14, 2019

Basic Information:
https://www.facebook.com/events/2778904678808215/?event_time_id=2778904682141548

Peace United Church of Christ
Rochester, MN

A Laura Ingalls Wilder Christmas by Laurie Brooks

If you want your local group to try it next year, check out the script and production rights. Learn the basics. Check out the author’s page.

Here’s a clip from a production in 2012.

Dodge City, KS

Dec. 6-8, 13-15, 20-22, 2019

Basic Information:
http://depottheaterco.com/on-stage

Depot Theater Company (there are 2 theaters, this is the office)

201 E Wyatt Earp Blvd

Dodge City, KS 67801

620-225-1001

 

“A Little House Christmas” by James Devita

Check with the author for production rights. Learn more about him.

Shots from a production.

Grand Island, NE

December 11-15, 2019

Basic Information:
http://www.githeater.org

Grand Island Little Theatre
3180 W US Hwy 34
Grand Island, NE 68801
308-382-2586

Greenfield, SC

December 13 – 15, 20 – 22, 2019

Basic Information:
https://www.theabbevilleoperahouse.com

The Abbeville Opera House
100 Court Square
Abbeville, SC 29620

“Melodies and Memories of Laura Ingalls Wilder”

Check out this clip from a 2009 production. No current productions found this year. Find out more if you want to put it on.

“A Little House Christmas at Plum Creek”

No current productions this year.

Here’s a story about its release.

This was the second year for a TV show cast reunion event. They are looking at making it an anuual event.

Colony Theater – Burbank, CA

“Little Christmas on the Prairie”

December 13-14, 2019

COLONY THEATER In Burbank, CA

Alison Arngrim
Rachel Lindsay Greenbush
Dan McBride
Wendi Lou Lee
Charlotte Randall Yerke

Sarah S. Uthoff is a nationally known Laura Ingalls Wilder authority and has presented at five of the Wilder homesites, many times at the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum, many conferences and numerous libraries, museums, and events around the Midwest. She is the main force behind Trundlebed Tales fighting to bring the History, Mystery, Magic, and Imagination of Laura Ingalls Wilder and other greats of children’s literature and history to life for a new generation. How can you help? Attend one of her programs, schedule one yourself, watch her videos,  listen to her podcast,   look at her photos, and find her on Facebook ,  Twitter ,  LinkedIn ,   SlideShare,   and Academia.edu . Professionally she is a reference librarian at Kirkwood Community College and former director of the Oxford (Iowa) Public Library.

Musical Now Has License Rights Available for Purchase

Little House on the Prairie the Musical T-Shirt

It All Began at the Guthrie

In 2007 the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis, Minnesota announced they would be debuting a new musical based on the “Little House” books. Although they said their source material was the books, not the NBC series, they definitely connected with the series through the casting of Melissa Gilbert as Ma and through their characterization of Nellie which matches the TV Nellie more than the books.

A Big Success

The show proved a big success with the original booking being extended by weeks for an audience ranging from normal theater people to Laura fans making the trip (buses went from the homesite towns, which is how I went). After it closed at the Guthrie in Fall 2008 it was announced the production would go on a national (actually international – they had one booking in Canada) tour. In a national tour a production travels from city to city as theaters book it with the same cast, etc. traveling with the show. Gilbert remained in the Ma role for this further production as did some of the other actors, others in the cast were replaced either due to scheduling difficulties or because they weren’t willing to travel that long for the show. I was particularly saddened by the loss of Carrie who was very good in the Guthrie production.

(Inter)National Tour

Announcements of bookings dribbled out during 2009 and then in October 2009 they were off! The play had been slightly retooled – which is normal – and traveled all around the country. When they played Sioux Falls (where I saw it), the cast even made a group trip up to DeSmet to see where some of the story really took place. The roadshow closed in early summer 2010. A couple of months later the gift shop that traveled with the show sold out excess branded merchandise. The official website slipped into an archived state without access to what had previously been posted.

Find out my details of this and a link to the archived version of the website on my history of the musical post.

What Happens Next?

Well, the hope of every such musical is to make it to Broadway and maybe even on to London. It’s sometimes a broken road there. Usually after a national tour one of three things happens:

1. It goes straight to Broadway to try its luck there!
2. It gets polished and retooled and tries another tour.
3. Rights are offered for purchase for local productions.

So the show ended and what happened was…. nothing! At least in public. I assume there was at least some hope that it was going to have a chance at Broadway… or at least another shot at a tour. They don’t release rights for local productions until all hope for a big show is gone – at least for the immediate future.

Through 2013 the site remained operating in its archived state, then as a background screen, but preserving ownership through the first part of 2016 and I assume some hope remained. However, someone behind the scenes has now officially given up. The URL of the show is now an ad for a Japanese (in Japanese) diet supplement.

The Little House on the Prairie the Musical is now available for licensing!

 

The Good News

The positive part of this is that starting in Fall 2019 local groups will be able to put on productions of the show. Hopefully it will become popular and you’ll get to see a local production near you!

If you’re looking for buying, rights, scripts, etc. here you go! That’s what you’re going to want to pass on to your local theater groups, high schools, etc. and ask them to put on the show! They also have a digital preview version of the script.

Sarah S. Uthoff is a nationally known Laura Ingalls Wilder authority and has presented at five of the Wilder homesites, many times at the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum, many conferences and numerous libraries, museums, and events around the Midwest. She is the main force behind Trundlebed Tales fighting to bring the History, Mystery, Magic, and Imagination of Laura Ingalls Wilder and other greats of children’s literature and history to life for a new generation. How can you help? Attend one of her programs, schedule one yourself, watch her videos, listen to her podcast, look at her photos, and find her on Facebook , Twitter , Google+, LinkedIn , SlideShare, and Academia.edu . Professionally she is a reference librarian at Kirkwood Community College and former director of the Oxford (Iowa) Public Library.

Laura Ingalls Wilder Christmas Plays 2018

Photo in Wilder Farmhouse – Courtesy of Connie Jenkins

Christmas Plays and Laura – An Annual Tradition

It’s time to get in the mood for the holidays and for many families attending a Laura Ingalls Wilder play. There are four titles that are currently running on the circuit.

• A Laura Ingalls Wilder Christmas by Laurie Brooks
• A Little House Christmas by James DeVita
• Melodies and Memories of Laura Ingalls Wilder

• A Little House Christmas at Plum Creek by Lisa Cordes

I’ve only found productions of the first two works this year, but I’ve included information for all four in case you want to encourage a local theater group to put one on for next year. Remind them there are only SO many versions of A Christmas Carol they can do and one of these might make a fun change.

A Laura Ingalls Wilder Christmas by Laurie Brooks

If you want your local group to try it next year, check out the script and production rights. Learn the basics. Check out the author’s page.

Here’s a clip from a production in 2012.

Columbia, TN

Nov. 16-17, 2018

Basic Information:
https://www.buildingblockarts.com/upcoming-events/xp36zzdffrx9mg4skkkc37tkyn8f8b

Building Block School for the Arts
Location: 700 Woodland Street
Columbia, TN 38401
E-mail: buildingblockarts@gmail.com

Phone: (931) 442-5007

Greenwood, SC

Nov. 30, Dec. 1, 7, 8, 9, 14 and 15, 2018

Basic Information:
https://www.theabbevilleoperahouse.com/Show/Details/54

Abbeville Opera House
Location: 100 Court Square Abbeville, SC 29620
Email: operahouse@wctel.net
Phone: (864) 366-2157

“A Little House Christmas”

Check with the author for production rights. Learn more about him.

Shots from a production.

Eau Claire, WI

Dec. 7-8, 14-16, 2018

Basic Information:
https://ecct.org/upcoming-shows/a-little-house-christmas
ECCT

Location: 1814 Oxford Avenue, Eau Claire, WI, 54701,

E-mail: info@ecct.org
Phone: (715) 839-8877

Lincoln, NE

December 7-9, 2018

Basic Information:
https://www.lincoln.org/play/event/144961-a-little-house-christmas

Lincoln Community Playhouse

Location: 2500 S 56th Street

Ticket Price: TBA

Time: TBA

E-mail:info@lincolnplayhouse.com

Phone: (402) 489-7529

“Melodies and Memories of Laura Ingalls Wilder”

Check out this clip from a 2009 production. No current productions found this year. Find out more if you want to put it on.

“A Little House Christmas at Plum Creek”

No current productions this year.

Here’s a story about it’s release.

UPDATED November 12 2018: Of course as soon as I published it I got a lead on another show. This one isn’t for Christmas, but I wanted to add it. Thanks to Judy Green for sharing about it.

“Patchwork – the Life of Laura Ingalls Wilder”

I hadn’t heard about this show before, but it looks like it was around since at least 2010, is aimed at an elementary school audience, and doesn’t seem to have had many performances – at least that hit the internet. It isn’t a Christmas show, but since there is a production coming in February I’m including it.

Toledo, OH

February 17, 2019

Basic Information:
https://www.etix.com/ticket/p/6606386/patchworkthe-little-house-life-of-laura-ingalls-wilder-toledo-valentine-theatre

Valentine Theatre
Location: 410 Adams St.
Toledo, OH 43604
E-mail: jjex@valentinetheatre.com (executive director)
Phone: (419) 242-3490

Sarah S. Uthoff is the main force behind Trundlebed Tales fighting to bring the History, Mystery, Magic and Imagination of Laura Ingalls Wilder and other greats of children’s literature and history to life for a new generation.Attend one of her programs, schedule one yourself, watch her videos, listen to her podcast, and find her on Facebook, Twitter, Google+,LinkedIn, and Academia.edu. She is currently President of the Laura Ingalls Wilder Legacy and Research Association. Professionally she is a reference librarian at Kirkwood Community College and director of the Oxford (Iowa) Public Library.

Walnut Grove Pageant Works Towards Recovery

Footbridge at Dugout Site Surrounded by Flood Water

TO: All Media Outlets [ For Immediate Release]
FR: William Richards (507-828-6616) Media
DA: July 5, 2018
RE: Wilder Pageant Rebuilding after Big Flood on the Prairie

On July 3rd, nine inches of rain and over three feet of churning Plum Creek swept parts of the set and staging away at the Wilder Pageant site forcing cancellation of this weekends performances. The water is receding leaving mud and holes. Pageant cast and crew have been quick to repair and restore road access and electrical and other services to allow for cleaning and repair.

The Wilder Pageant production, “Fragments of A Dream” about the early life of Laura Ingalls Wilder in Walnut Grove, will add Thursday performances to the next two weeks schedules to provide opportunity for people who were unable to see shows this weekend. The Family Festival will be on for the next two Saturdays and Pageant suppers will be offered on all pageant dates.

Plum Creek Flood Waters Receding

Volunteers have been cleaning, washing, rebuilding and checking out all sound and light systems to get the show back on track for the next six performances. Roads in the area have been flooded so it is best to check on which roads to use to get to Walnut Grove and the pageant site. The Wilder Museum is in full operation but the Laura Ingalls Wilder Dugout site is not available due to significant water damage to the road. Contact either the Wilder Pageant (888-859-3102) or Wilder Museum (888-528-7298) in Walnut Grove or access the web site at  http://walnutgrove.org/index.html

Costumes in Storage Trailer

From Erin Richards, director of the Wilder Pageant: “The waters have receded and the land is drying up. It is now time for clean-up. The pageant committee has set clean up times as follows: Friday, 5:00-9:00 p.m; Saturday, 1:00-5:00 p.m.; and Monday, 5:00-9:00 p.m. We will be setting chairs at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday. It is still muddy and very dirty out there so closed toe shoes or boots are a must, boots are best. We have gloves available for your use. Gravel has been put down but be careful where you park. Masks are also recommended as some areas are very ‘fragrant’ with mold and mildew. If you bring young children, you need to watch them at all times as we don’t know what’s been left over from the flood such as objects or contamination. Thanks for all continued support! You are all wonderful.”

If you are in the area and can help—please do!

http://walnutgrove.org/index.html

Mansfield Pageant Dates 2017

Mansfield Pageant

What Is It?

You’ve probably heard of the Laura Ingalls Wilder pageants in DeSmet, South Dakota, and Walnut Grove, Minnesota, but do you know there is a pageant in Mansfield, Missouri? This pageant is put on by the Ozark Mountain Players and is called Laura’s Memories.

What’s Different from the Other Pageants?

One major difference is that this pageant is a musical. Frankly I like the music better than the Little House on the Prairie the Musical that got a national tour. I’ve only seen it once in person (although I’ve also seen in on DVD), but I can still sing part of a couple of the songs. ♫♪”Farmer boy, Farmer boy…” ♪♫

Unlike the other two pageants it seeks to tell Laura’s entire life story rather than just a part of it or to dramatize one of the books. It plays off the only known recording of Laura’s voice using that as a set up as Laura shares memories from her life. A unique thing is that they rotate roles as time progresses so no one person has to learn an excessive amount of dialogue, which can be a little difficult to follow until you figure it out.  Important to the audience it also features the most professional theater stage and the best back support for the seats.

Dates

Uniquely for the pageants it splits its dates every year with some during the summer and the rest in September as part of the lead up to Wilder Days. They were very late getting the dates out this year, so I’m taking this special post to share them. I’ve updated my events page with these and a couple of other things lately, so take a look.

• July 14-15, 21-22, 28-29, 2017
• Sept 1-2, 8-9, 15-16, 2017
• Wilder Days: September 15,16, & 17, 2017

I can honestly highly recommend this pageant. So if you’re looking for a last minute Laura trip. Take a look!

Sarah S. Uthoff is the main force behind Trundlebed Tales striving to bring the History, Mystery, Magic and Imagination of Laura Ingalls Wilder and other greats of children’s literature and history to life for a new generation. Uthoff is a nationally known Laura Ingalls Wilder authority and has presented at five of the Wilder homesites, many conferences and numerous libraries, museums, and events around the Midwest. Attend one of her programs, schedule one yourself, watch her videos, listen to her podcast, and find her on Facebook, Twitter, Google+,  LinkedIn, and Academia.edu. Professionally she is a reference librarian at Kirkwood Community College and director of the Oxford (Iowa) Public Library.

Laura Ingalls Wilder Christmas Plays 2016

It’s time to get in the mood for the holidays and for many families attending a Laura Ingalls Wilder play. There are three titles that are currently running on the circuit.

• A Laura Ingalls Wilder Christmas by Laurie Brooks
• A Little House Christmas by James DeVita
• Melodies and Memories of Laura Ingalls Wilder

There are only so many ways to do A Christmas Carol, let your local community or small professional theater that you’d like to see them do one of these next year! And if I’ve missed one in your neck of the woods let me know so I can add it.

Christmas Plays and Laura – An Annual Tradition

There are a few events going on, including Christmas shows, I’m listing the entire season’s worth below so you can make plans if one is in your regional area:

“A Laura Ingalls Wilder Christmas”

If you want your local group to try it next year, check out the script and production rights. Learn the basics.

Check out a clip from a production in 2012.

Milwaukee, WI – Acacia Theatre Company’s “A Laura Ingalls Wilder Christmas.” Tickets are $16 for adults and $13 for seniors, full-time students and full-time clergy.
Basic Information (dates, ticket prices, etc.):
http://www.acaciatheatre.com/show/a-laura-ingalls-wilder-christmas
November 11 through November 20, 2016
Concordia University, Todd Wehr Auditorium, 12800 North Lake Shore Drive, Mequon, WI
Review

Catch an interview about it. Real life family plays the Ingalls Family.

St. Croix Falls, WI – From the Festival Theatre’s professional acting troupe.  Read a little more about the show.
Basic Information (dates, ticket prices, etc.):
https://festivaltheatre.secure.force.com/ticket#details_a0SF0000005YCTKMA4
November 26-December 24, 2016
Franklin Square Black Box, 125 N. Washington Street, St. Croix Falls, WI, 54024

Prattville, AL – Presented by Way Off Broadway Theater.
Basic Information (dates, ticket prices, etc.):
http://www.prattvilleal.gov/departments/ticket-information.html
Thursdays through Sundays, between December 8 -December 18, 2016.
Cultural Arts Center, 203 4th St, Prattville AL 36067

Walhalla, SC – Presented by Walhalla Civic Auditorium.
Basic Information (dates, ticket prices, etc.):
http://www.walhallacivic.com/events.html#p7AP3c1_4
December 9, 10, 11, 16, 17 & 18, 2016
Walhalla Civic Auditorium, 101 E.N. Broad Street, Walhalla, SC 29691

“A Little House Christmas”

Shots from a production.

Sierra Madre, CA – Adapted by James DeVita.
http://sierramadreplayhouse.org/smp-presents-little-house-christmas-november-18-december-23/
Basic Information (dates, ticket prices, etc.):
Purchase tickets
November 25-27, December 2-4, 9-11, 15-18, and 21-23, 2016
Sierra Madre Playhouse, 87 W Sierra Madre Blvd, Sierra Madre, CA 91024

Bozeman, MT – Presented by the Verge Theater
http://vergetheater.com/shows/family-stage
Basic Information (dates, ticket prices, etc.):
Purchase Tickets
Saturdays Nov. 26th-Dec. 17th, 2016
Verge Theater, 2304 N 7th Ave C1, Bozeman, MT 59715

Menomonie, WI – Presented by the Menomonie Theater Guild
http://volumeone.org/events/2016/12/02/216111_menomonie_theater_guild_presents_a_little_house
Basic Information (dates, ticket prices, etc.):
Purchase Tickets
December 2-4 and 9-11, 2016
Mabel Tainter Center for the Arts, 205 Main St. E, Menomonie, WI 54751

“A Little House Christmas at Plum Creek”

Grand Rapids, MI – Adapted for the Stage by Lisa Cordes.
Basic Information (dates, ticket prices, etc.):
http://www.experiencegr.com/event/little-house-christmas-at-plum-creek/45855/
November 17, 2016 – December 10, 2016
Recurring weekly on Thursday, Friday, Saturday
Master Arts Theatre, 75  77th St SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49548

“Melodies and Laura Ingalls Wilder”

Check out this clip from a 2009 production.

Auburn, CA – From a non-profit theater group. Catch a short news story.

Basic Information (dates, ticket prices, etc.):
http://takenotetroupe.org/musicals

Nov 11th & 18th – 7:30 p.m. Nov 12th & 19th – 4:00 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.

Auburn Placer Performing Arts Center, 985 Lincoln Way, Auburn, CA 95603

 

Sarah S. Uthoff is the main force behind Trundlebed Tales striving to bring the History, Mystery, Magic and Imagination of Laura Ingalls Wilder and other greats of children’s literature and history to life for a new generation. Uthoff is a nationally known Laura Ingalls Wilder authority and has presented at five of the Wilder homesites, many conferences and numerous libraries, museums, and events around the Midwest. Attend one of her programs, schedule one yourself, watch her videos, listen to her podcast, and find her on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, LinkedIn, and Academia.edu. Professionally she is a reference librarian at Kirkwood Community College and director of the Oxford (Iowa) Public Library.