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Little House on the Prairie<\/a> star Melissa Gilbert<\/a><\/strong> announced a major career switch-up as she joined the cast of the off-Broadway play Pen Pals<\/a>.<\/p>\n On Wednesday, Oct. 1, the former child star, 61\u2014who portrayed Laura Ingalls Wilder<\/a><\/strong> in the beloved historical drama\u2014took to Instagram<\/a> with the exciting news.<\/p>\n \ud83c\udfac\u00a0<\/strong>SIGN UP for Parade’s Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0\ud83c\udfac<\/strong><\/p>\n For the featured image, Gilbert shared a screenshot of a Playbill article<\/a> revealing that she would join the production of Pen Pals<\/a> for a limited time later this year. The play is based on a true story and stars two women, Bernie and Mags, who started writing letters to each other when they were just teenagers. It follows their relationship through five decades, although they never meet in person.<\/p>\n Pen Pals features a rotating cast of duos, and Gilbert will perform alongside Veanne Cox<\/strong> from Dec. 23, 2025, through Jan. 4, 2026.<\/p>\n Related: Little House on the Prairie\u2019s Melissa Gilbert Shares Direct Message After Jimmy Kimmel Live! Suspension<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n In the comments, Gilbert’s followers flooded her with congratulatory messages.<\/p>\n One fan declared, “Hell yeah!” as another exclaimed, “Love this! \u2764\ufe0f.”<\/p>\n Someone else shared, “Ooo yay!!!!”<\/p>\n A different follower pointed out, “Love your hair \ud83d\ude0d\ud83d\ude0d\ud83d\ude0d,” of the featured image of Gilbert in the article.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, yet another fan commented, “\ud83d\udc4f\ud83d\udc4f\ud83d\udc4f\ud83d\ude0d\ud83d\ude0d\ud83d\ude0d.”<\/p>\n Pen Pals is written by Michael Griffo<\/strong> and directed by SuzAnne Barabas<\/strong>.<\/p>\n \u201cThe response to\u00a0Pen Pals\u00a0has been extraordinary, and we are thrilled to extend the run into the new year,\u201d producer Lisa Dozier Shacket<\/strong> said\u00a0in a statement to Playbill. \u201cThis story of enduring friendship clearly resonates with audiences across generations, and it\u2019s a privilege to welcome an incredible new group of women to bring Bernie and Mags to life. Each actress brings her own heart and perspective to the roles, deepening the ways this story continues to touch and inspire.\u201d<\/p>\n In addition to Gilbert and Cox, other duos in the rotating lineup for Pen Pals include: \u00a0Kathleen Chalfant<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0Ellen McLaughlin<\/strong>\u00a0(Oct. 1\u201312),\u00a0Priscilla Lopez<\/strong>\u00a0and Pauletta Pearson<\/strong> Washington (Oct. 15\u201326),\u00a0Catherine Curtin<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0Marcia Cross<\/strong>\u00a0(Oct. 29\u2013Nov. 9),\u00a0Sharon Lawrence<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0Maureen McCormick<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0(Nov. 12-23),\u00a0Paige Davis<\/strong>\u00a0and Montego Glover<\/strong> (Nov. 25\u2013Dec. 7), Donna Lynn Champlin<\/strong> and\u00a0Emily Skinner<\/strong>\u00a0(Dec. 10\u201321), Mercedes Ruehl<\/strong>\u00a0and another TBA performer (Jan. 7\u201318) and Randy Graff<\/strong> and Beth Leavel<\/strong>\u00a0(Jan. 21\u2013Feb. 1).<\/p>\n Currently, Gilbert portrays Inspector Georgie McGill in When Calls the Heart<\/a>. She joined the cast for Season 12 as a guest star and is returning for Season 13<\/a>, which is expected to premiere in early 2026.<\/p>\n Next: Little House on the Prairie\u2019s Melissa Gilbert Sends Direct Message About “Disgusting” NYC Business<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n This story was originally reported by Parade<\/a> on Oct 1, 2025, where it first appeared in the News<\/a> section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.<\/a><\/i><\/p>\n<\/div>\n