'Little House' sets big ticket sales record

Minneapolis — The world premiere production of "Little House on the Prairie" has blown through box office records at the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis.

On Friday, the first day of sales for the new musical, theatergoers bought 5,461 tickets. That more than triples the Guthrie's previous record, set in 2006 for the annual holiday show, "A Christmas Carol."

Laura Ingalls Wilder

It also tops the Guthrie theater's record one-day ticket sales for a guest production. That was set in 2007, for the Royal Shakespeare Company's production of "King Lear," starring Ian McKellen.

Of the more than 5,000 people who purchased tickets on Friday, 58 percent said they never before attended a show at the Guthrie.

"Little House on the Prairie" runs from Aug. 15-Oct. 5, with previews beginning on July 26.