Performances, according to the Center's official website, will begin in the Buell Theatre Dec. 15 and continue through Dec. 27. No other tour dates for the new musical, which casts "Little House on the Prairie" TV star Melissa Gilbert as Ma, have been announced. Little House on the Prairie — inspired by Laura Ingalls Wilder's famed "Little House" books — boasts direction by The Little Mermaid's Francesca Zambello. The new musical features a book by Tony Award winner Rachel Sheinkin (The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee), music by Academy Award winner Rachel Portman ("Emma") and lyrics by Donna DiNovelli.

The Guthrie's world-premiere cast included Gilbert as Ma with Steve Blanchard (Beauty and the Beast, Frankenstein) as Pa, Carnegie Mellon graduate Kara Lindsay as Laura, Jenn Gambatese (Tarzan, Is He Dead?) as Mary, Sara Jean Ford (The Phantom of the Opera) as Nellie and Kevin Massey (Big River, Tarzan) as Almanzo Wilder.

The Guthrie described Little House as such: "Though their DeSmet, South Dakota, farmstead comes with many new challenges, the Ingalls family perseveres through the hardships of pioneer life to find hope, love and the promise of a new beginning in a land of endless sky and open prairie. As Laura struggles to overcome a lifelong loathing of school and frequent battles with a town rival, her older sister's sudden blindness and a harsh winter blizzard test the independent spirit of this young pioneer. Forced to grow up quickly, she follows an unexpected calling, becoming a teacher and finding love on the prairie."

For more information visit www.denvercenter.org.