MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Melissa Gilbert is returning to ''Little House on the Prairie'' - but this time playing the mother of her character from the popular television series.

Gilbert, 44, will play ''Ma'' Ingalls in a musical version of the ''Little House'' books that will open at the Guthrie Theater this summer. The actress portrayed Laura, the signature character in the '70s TV series that starred Michael Landon.

Kara Lindsay will play Laura in the musical. The role of ''Pa'' Ingalls will be played by Steve Blanchard, who starred for eight years on Broadway as the Beast in Disney's ''Beauty and the Beast.'' The musical is based on Laura Ingalls Wilder's stories about her homesteading family.

Previews start July 26, with opening night set for Aug. 15. Performances run through Oct. 5. Single tickets go on sale June 27.

-Check out Melissa Gilbert's Filmography

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