Synopsis
In their poorest winter ever, when the crops have been devastated by locusts and the family must deal with the death of baby Freddie, Charles Ingalls backtracks his family to Burr Oak, Iowa, to take over the running of a hotel. And if things weren't bad enough, Ma tells Laura she must be nice to Johnny Steadman, "the worst boy in Iowa." When wealthy Mrs. Starr asks for Laura as a companion to read to her in the afternoons, Laura is overjoyed to be invited into such a fine house, but when she overhears Mrs. Starr offer to adopt Laura as her own daughter to ease the burden of so many children, Laura is certain that Ma and Pa will give her up. As Christmas morning approaches, Laura is faced with a decision: Will she choose what she believes is best for the family or will she find a way to stay with Pa, Ma, Mary and Carrie? This original play presents the poignant story of the "missing" two years in the life of the Ingalls family—the only substantial period that Laura chose not to write about in her Little House books. Told with period songs, humor and depth of character, A Laura Ingalls Wilder Christmas tells a story of healing that celebrates the importance of enduring family bonds. Co-commissioned by the Coterie Theatre, Kansas City, Missouri, and the Nashville Children's Theatre, Nashville, Tenn.and premiered by The Coterie Theatre.
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Details
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Status
In stock
- Type of Show Full-length Play
- Product Code LD5000
- Cast Size 7
- Min. Royalty Rate $110/perf
- Cost $11.95
- Approx. Run Time 70 min
Categories
- Target Audience Young Audiences | Middle School | High School | College and Adult | Family (all ages) | Senior Adults
- Performing Group Elementary School | High School | College Theatre | Community Theatre | Professional Theatre | TYA | Touring Group | Dinner Theatre
- Genre Comedy | Drama
- ISBN(13) 9781583423189
Customer Reviews
- "This is a wonderful script to work on character development with your middle schoolers. It is also a fantastic way to let the legacy of Laura Ingalls Wilder and the Little House books and tv series live on. The sets are extremely minimalistic which was a challenge because I normally go big with those things. It is a great story!"
- Review by Jill Herkel, Liberty Pines Academy, Saint Johns, Fla.
- "An excellent script providing an amazing experience for our audience."
- Review by Roger Martin, Stained Glass Theatre of Mid Missou, Jefferson City, Mo.
- "A Laura Ingalls Wilder Christmas was a wonderful kick-off to the holiday season. While at times heartbreakingly sad, it really makes the audience (and cast) reflect on the meaning of Christmas. Easily stagedÑrelies a lot on pantomime, lighting and sound effects."
- Review by Annette Rubin, Lime Springs Children's Theatre, Lime Springs, Iowa
- "Our students enjoyed bringing familiar characters to life! It was great to tell a new story with people our audience "knew.""
- Review by Jeremy Williams, Cook High School, Adel, Ga.
Hints, Tips, and Tricks
- "Minimal costuming changes along with only a few props allow an almost seamless performance."
- Tip by Roger Martin, Stained Glass Theatre of Mid Missou, Jefferson City, Mo.
Media Reviews
"It's a homespun little masterpiece, full of spunky, sensible and often poignant Americana." -The TennesseanDownloads
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