Mermaid's Zambella to Direct Staged Reading of Prairie Musical

By Andrew Gans
February 5, 2007

Francesca Zambello, who will helm the upcoming Denver world premiere of Disney's The Little Mermaid, will also direct a staged reading of the musical Prairie.

Based on the famed "Little House on the Prairie" books, the musical features a book by Beth Henley, music by Rachel Portman and lyrics by Donna DiNovelli. The reading, according to a casting notice, will be presented April 16-18 in Manhattan. Kristen Blodgett will be the musical director for the April performances.

A previous reading of Prairie was held July 7-9, 2006, at New York Stage and Film. Zambello also directed that version, which starred Gregg Edelman and Heidi Blickenstaff, among others.

Francesca Zambello's directorial credits include the Bregenz Festival's production of West Side Story, the Metropolitan Opera's staging of Les Troyens and the Disney theme park version of Aladdin. She will be making her Broadway debut with Little Mermaid, which is scheduled to arrive at the Lunt-Fontanne Nov. 3 with an official opening Dec. 6.