Melissa Gilbert talked to Steven and Chris about her New York Times Best Selling autobiography Prairie Tale and her latest project, Little House on the Prairie, the Musical.

About Melissa Gilbert...

Actress Melissa Gilbert of "Little House on the Prairie" was America's sweetheart and many presumed she enjoyed a blessed childhood. But in reality, the talented star's home life was a far cry from the idyllic life she portrayed in the popular TV show. In her new memoir, "Prairie Tale," Melissa Gilbert shares her story of growing up in front of the cameras, dealing with a complicated family, overcoming addictions, and how she finally learned to move on.

An excerpt from Prairie Tale...

Fairy Dust

My mother was nearly a month past her husband's funeral when she turned her attention back to my desire to write a memoir. It wasn't just a desire; there was an actual book deal, and she was against it. If the book were on any topic other than myself, she would've already been circulating word that "Melissa is writing the best book ever." But this was different. It was about me. Which meant it was also about her. And she was against telling that story if she wasn't the one doing the telling.

She had tried numerous times to talk me out of it, but her efforts were interrupted by the death of my stepfather, Hollywood publicist Warren Cowan. Now she was back on point.



On the Musical...

Melissa plays Caroline "Ma" Ingalls in the Musical. Little House on the Prairie has remained one of the most popular and beloved celebrations of pioneering America since Laura Ingalls Wilder published the first book of her classic series 75 years ago. Now the inspirational stories cross into yet another frontier in an uplifting new musical. Melissa Gilbert, who we all knew as "Laura" for 10 years in the much-loved television series is now all grown up and playing "Ma."

Through the magic of live theatre, the musical follows the Ingalls family's journey westward and settlement in DeSmet, South Dakota where Ma and Pa Ingalls hoped to make a better life for their children. It tells the story of their struggle to keep their land claim. In story, song and dance, we see the Ingalls suffering the hardships of winter blizzards and prairie fires as well as rejoicing in the settlement of land and town. Most of all, the story follows Laura as she grows from the wild child who loved to run free into a woman who embraces the responsibilities of her own future while struggling to remain true to herself.

Recommended for the whole family, LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE, THE MUSICAL brings the joys and sorrows of family life during the settlement of the prairie to contemporary America. Families will continue to identify with these life affirming stories that celebrate the pioneering spirit and the core values on which this country was founded - a spirit that resonates within each of us today.









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