This week, the theater scene in Madison will get a little taste of pioneering spirit as “Little House on the Prairie” stakes its claim at the Overture Center.

For most Americans, “Little House on the Prairie” is an instantly recognizable title. Whether derived from the original books written by Laura Ingalls Wilder or the Michael Landon TV series, the words bring to mind the beloved story of Laura and her family’s struggles trying to settle on the harsh plains of the Midwest. It is a story battered by raging prairie fires and bitter winters, but warmed by the unfaltering love this classic American family has for each other.

Melissa Gilbert, the actress who played Laura in the television series, is featured in the role of Ma in the musical. Though her slew of more mature roles in the 30 years since “Little House” have won her the title “Queen of television movies and mini-series,” the actress has not lost the spunk or childlike joy — nor for that matter, the clear, high voice — viewers so admired in little “Half Pint.” She makes it clear, however, that her television role has given her no preconceived notions of how to perform her role on stage.

“I approached it like any other role. It’s my interpretation of Ma, and it’s my characterization based upon my experience and my research,” Gilbert said. “I didn’t approach it with any trepidation that I would be bringing any of the elements of the old TV series with me.”

On condensing the contents of an entire book series into the space of a two-hour musical, Gilbert said, “We managed to pull it off, which is fantastic,” and went on to explain that the plot of the musical covers the major events in the last four books of the series, beginning with the Wilder family settling in South Dakota and ending with Laura’s marriage.

For fans of the television series, the musical will provide an entirely new, all-encompassing view of the Wilder story. It is a view that invokes the deeper themes behind the individual tooth-and-nail occurrences that are a hallmark of “Little House on the Prairie.”

“Every day that I’m onstage, I go through the journey of these people, and I get reminded of how strong we are, how far we’ve come and how far we have yet to go, and of the good things that are most important: family, community, faith, tolerance, the environment […] it’s all in this show,” Gilbert said.

Aside from the smoke used to re-create the look and smell of a prairie fire, there are no special effects shrouding the raw talent that permeates the “Little House” stage. Kara Lindsay beams and chirps her way through the role of Laura, and Steve Blanchard provides a personality for Pa that is both strong and tender. Altogether, the cast breathes new life into a set of characters we all thought we knew through and through.

“It’s one of the only family musical productions out there that’s not based on a cartoon,” Gilbert said. “It’s a very simple story and, yet, it’s very relatable. It’s the story of the settling of this country … this is not Disney.”

For this reason, the substance of this musical is not comprised of an elaborate set or over-blown special effects, but of the authenticity of the characters’ personalities and the dynamic movement of the story itself. If there is one element audiences should take away from this musical, it is the pleasing discordance of an age-old story that is a rejuvenating experience. The production’s adherence to our heritage is the very element that renders it unique amid our forward-thinking generation.

As the Wilders once breathed life into the barren plains of South Dakota, “Little House on the Prairie” breathes life into the contemporary musical. It is a story America has come to love, both for the sake of the entertainment it provides and for what it is: a portrait of the hard work, determination and love upon which this country was founded.

NOTE: Though this story has a connection to all Americans, those from Wisconsin lay a special claim to its heritage since Laura Ingalls Wilder was born in Pepin in 1867. In light of this fact, Governor Jim Doyle officially declared Jan. 19, 2010 (the opening day of the musical) as “Laura Ingalls Wilder Day.”

“Little House on the Prairie” is showing at the Overture Center from Jan. 19 to Jan. 24. Tickets range from $27 to $67, but are only $20 with a student ID.