The national tour of Little House on the Prairie: The Musical, which kicks off at the Paper Mill Playhouse next month, has formed a national partnership with the non-profit organization, Habitat for Humanity, which is dedicated to providing affordable housing to the poor and needy.

Based on the novels of Laura Ingalls Wilder, the show features music by Academy Award winner Rachel Portman, lyrics by Donna di Novelli and a book by Tony Award winner Rachel Sheinkin. The production stars Melissa Gilbert -- who originated the role of Laura on the hit Little House TV series -- as Ma, with Steve Blanchard as Pa and Kara Lindsay as Laura. The principal cast will also include Kevin Massey (Almanzo Wilder), Kate Loprest (Nellie Oleson), Alessa Neeck (Mary), and Carly Rose Sonenclar (Carrie Ingalls).

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, while 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.

"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," says Gilbert. " 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."

For more information, visit www.littlehousethemusical.com or www.habitat.org.