LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE, THE MUSICAL, with Melissa Gilbert as “Ma,” the new touring musical based on the beloved Laura Ingalls Wilder series of classic American books, is proud to announce a new partnership with THE SEEING EYE, a national organization celebrating its 80th year bringing dog guide services to blind people across the U.S. and Canada.

The collaboration between LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE, THE MUSICAL and THE SEEING EYE will convey the same spirit of independence, courage and ability to overcome adversity that the THE SEEING EYE founders and the Little House book series, now almost 75 years old, first portrayed so many years ago.

LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE and THE SEEING EYE have developed a community outreach program that will help strengthen the awareness of services that enhance independence for blind people and will help teach about respect and etiquette towards people who are blind. As such, special presentations will be presented in each touring city prior to the show’s arrival at local government offices, schools, community centers and more.

“We are thrilled to be partnering with such an iconic and inspirational production to help increase awareness of the capabilities and challenges of blind people in today’s frontier,” said James A. Kutsch Jr., President and CEO of THE SEEING EYE.

“Much like the characters in LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE, our graduates, with their Seeing Eye dogs, have created a legacy of forging new lives amidst the challenges, heartbreaks, joys and triumphs that we face each and every day. This partnership is very much a celebration and continuation of the pioneering spirit for which we and Little House on the Prairie are known,” Kutsch added.

“Knowing that we would be drawing audiences throughout the United States and Canada, we wanted to take the opportunity to help THE SEEING EYE spread its mission of enhancing independence for people who are blind,” said Melissa Gilbert. “An essential part of our musical’s story line relates to Mary Ingalls, who becomes blind but is eventually able to pursue her studies and flourish in spite of that challenge. Because of that, we hope to reinforce the message that people with visual impairments have even more innovative opportunities that did not exist in Mary’s day, thanks to organizations such as THE SEEING EYE.”

The producers of the upcoming national tour of LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE: THE MUSICAL, with Melissa Gilbert as Ma, today announced a national partnership with Habitat for Humanity, the non-profit international organization dedicated to providing affordable housing to the poor and needy. The announcement was made at a Habitat build-site in the South Bronx at which Melissa Gilbert and fellow cast members helped Habitat volunteers build the seven-story complex which will house 12 families.

As part of the partnership, the producers of LITTLE HOUSE will donate a minimum of $1500 per week from weekly box-office receipts across the country. In addition, among several other initiatives, the cast and crew will help local Habitat for Humanity affiliates build homes in each city the show visits on its multi-city national tour. LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE: THE MUSICAL begins a one-month engagement at the Paper Mill Playhouse in Millburn, NJ on Thursday, September 10.

“Habitat for Humanity is truly one of the most important, most wonderful organizations in this country and around the world,” said Ms. Gilbert. “An enduring message of LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE– the importance above all of a home and a strong family — is exactly the mission of Habitat. There couldn’t be a more perfect match between a show and an organization. As we travel across the country during the next year, we are looking forward to getting involved in a variety of ways in each city to do our part to aid in Habitat’s mission to bring affordable housing to those in need.”

“We are extremely grateful to Melissa Gilbert, the cast and producers of Little House on the Prairie: The Musical for supporting our mission and engaging audiences across the country to build greater awareness of the need for affordable housing,” said Jonathan Reckford, CEO of Habitat for Humanity International. “The Ingalls family’s struggles in difficult conditions parallel the challenges many families face today in trying to secure better futures for themselves and their children. It’s our hope this new interpretation of an ageless classic will remind fans both young and old of the importance of a safe, simple and decent home.”

“Habitat for Humanity New York City is tremendously blessed to partner with Melissa Gilbert and the cast of Little House on the Prairie: The Musical, as they launch the newest version of this classic story — and help build Habitat-NYC’s Big Co-op in the South Bronx,” said Josh Lockwood Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity-New York City. “Today, decent shelter is as critical to families as it was to the Wilder family so many decades ago and this alliance furthers our mission to provide affordable housing and sustainable communities for families worldwide.”