Fragments of a Dream Trilogy

The Wilder Outdoor Theater has a new series of three productions expanding on the our legacy production of “Fragments of a Dream” originally created by James Merchant in 1978 and adapted in 1999 by Rosenwinkel and Richards.  Using new historical information including notes and papers by Laura Ingalls Wilder, books by noted authors William Anderson and Pamela Smith Hill and research by local historian Daniel Peterson, authors Rosenwinkel and Richards have expanded the story with increased detail and historical context.

With so much to share, the “Fragments of a Dream Trilogy” will be presented over the next three years.  “Episode Two: Chasing the Dream” [1875-1876] was the 2023 summer production.  “Episode Three: Dream Fulfilled” [1877-1879] will take the stage in 2024 and “Episode One: Faith in the Dream” [1874-1875] will complete the cycle in 2025.

In 2024, “Episode Three: Dream Fulfilled” [1877-1879] reveals the Ingalls return from Burr Oak, building the Masters Hotel, getting to know new children like Mattie Masters, Mary’s blindness, more fires, Pa elected to the town council and leaving Walnut Grove for Dakota Territory.

In 2025, “Episode One: Faith in the Dream” [1874-1875] will share the arrival of the Ingalls on Plum Creek as they live in a dugout, help build the Congregational church, survive a prairie fire and get to know the Nelson’s and, of course, the Olesons.

Coming back around for 2026, “Episode Two: Chasing the Dream” [1875-1876] tells the story of the Ingalls in their house on Plum Creek with more grasshoppers, moving to town for the winter, adjusting to the Oleson family, a new child in the family, preparing to move to Burr Oak and more.

This has been a work-in-progress for the past couple years.  Balancing and integrating the story of the Ingalls family with the history of Walnut Grove has revealed many things. Bringing a theatrical work to the stage that mixes historical content, favorite fan characters, entertainment and enlightenment all in the spirit of Laura Ingalls Wilder has been challenging. R and R hope that the work continues to evolve and bring years of entertainment and inspiration to young and old.

Work on this revised and enhanced telling of Laura Ingalls story on the banks of Plum Creek and in Walnut Grove has been made possible by a generous grants from the Southwest Minnesota Arts Council, Walnut Grove Area Foundation and the Remick Foundation.