A Real Ingalls Meets a tv Ingalls

My friend Beth Ingalls Leisses has just returned from Minneopolis and the Little HOuse on the Prairie Musical. She explained to the staff of her relationship to Laura and expressed a desire to meet the cast. They arranged for her to have a backstage pass and Beth was thrilled to meet Melissa Gilbert and some of the other cast members. They were also thrilled to meet a real Ingalls. It was an amazing meeting for all.

Oh Wow Good for Her Melissa Gilbert Looks Great

That's awesome!! How did she like the musical? I bet she enjoyed it as much as I did!

Wow, that was great of them! I bet they all had a great time! Thanks for sharing Marilyn!

Neat

That darn Ingalls name opens up so many doors doesn't it? Of course it's nice when you tag along with her and those doors open like in Missouri for us, huh Marilyn?

Beth is a wonderful down to earth person and you can just tell from the expressions of the people she meets that they are thrilled to be near her, young children especially. I can only assume that Melissa was as equally excited as Beth was, although in Beth's own words she didn't get much sleep the night before.

From Dean's blog it sounds like this musical might be going on tour. That would be cool as I know of quite a few friends on the east coast that would love to see it. I am afraid I missed my chance but I would reconsider it if it came around again.

What a pretty picture, Marilyn. Doesn't Melissa look great.

That is wonderful that Beth had a chance to meet Melissa, as well as the cast from the musical. I bet she was thrilled!

Yes, that is a great picture!! I'm glad that Melissa and Beth got a chance to meet...I would LOVE to meet a real Ingalls (and Melissa as well!)

Beth was thrilled to be able to meet Melissa but I think Melissa was even more enthralled to meet a real Ingalls. She asked Beth so many questions that Beth didn't have much time to ask her many. They enjoyed their time together and Beth says that Melissa is a genuine lady, really down to earth and easy to chat to.

Docfan wrote:

Yes, that is a great picture!! I'm glad that Melissa and Beth got a chance to meet...I would LOVE to meet a real Ingalls (and Melissa as well!)

Yes so would i!!!!

What a great photo...and what a great event! A REAL Ingalls met Melissa Gilbert. I'm very moved...

And do you realize what was the name of this real Ingalls? BETH!!! If it was not a great surprise for Melissa...

Vanesa.

Beth and Melissa have met a few times since this first meeting. Melissa would send Beth free tickets to every town that the musical was playing in near Beth's house. Unfortunately during some of those visits Melissa was not well enough to be in the show. But the last time they met Beth and Lorrie drove from Wisconsin to Sough Dakota to see Melissa in the musical and also saw Dean there as well. I'll see if I can find the picture too post here. Or maybe Lorrie will if she sees this post.

It means that they already knew each other...
And what does Beth think about LHOTP show and the current musical? Does she have some critics to do?

Vanesa.

Beth likes the show but wishes that they had kept more to the books. She goes around to schools in her area as well as church groups and anyone else who asks her, to give a presentation about the real Laura. On occasion I have gone to her home in WI to help her with these presentations.

That is awesome!

Aww, that is great!

LIWnut wrote:

My friend Beth Ingalls Leisses has just returned from Minneopolis and the Little HOuse on the Prairie Musical. She explained to the staff of her relationship to Laura and expressed a desire to meet the cast. They arranged for her to have a backstage pass and Beth was thrilled to meet Melissa Gilbert and some of the other cast members. They were also thrilled to meet a real Ingalls. It was an amazing meeting for all.

How is Beth Ingalls-Leisses related to the Ingalls?

Ruth wrote:

LIWnut wrote:

My friend Beth Ingalls Leisses has just returned from Minneopolis and the Little HOuse on the Prairie Musical. She explained to the staff of her relationship to Laura and expressed a desire to meet the cast. They arranged for her to have a backstage pass and Beth was thrilled to meet Melissa Gilbert and some of the other cast members. They were also thrilled to meet a real Ingalls. It was an amazing meeting for all.

How is Beth Ingalls-Leisses related to the Ingalls?

Her great grandfather was Charles' brother Hiram. This makes Beth Laura's first cousin, twice removed. Laura and Beth's grandfather were first cousins.

Well, that's cool a real Ingalls met Melissa Gilbert who played Laura Ingalls.

LIWnut wrote:

Beth likes the show but wishes that they had kept more to the books. She goes around to schools in her area as well as church groups and anyone else who asks her, to give a presentation about the real Laura. On occasion I have gone to her home in WI to help her with these presentations.

Were you at the presentation she did this last weekend (9/24) in Fond du Lac? I was there with my daughter. It was a very nice presentation.