'Prairie' mowed down during GOP convention

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ST. PAUL, Minn., June 30 (UPI) -- A play about pioneer life will give way to the reality of political life when the Republican National Convention begins in St. Paul, Minn.

Accompanying the business of the convention are the parties and state GOP conventions are gobbling up prime party venues, including the Guthrie Theater where a musical version of Laura Ingalls Wilder's classic "Little House on the Prairie" debuts Aug. 15, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reported.

Among the possible party hosts at the sleek and architecturally appealing Minneapolis theater is California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and his state's delegation.

"From the moment our delegation staff saw and toured the facility, we knew we had to include it some way in what we were doing," Charles Moran, a spokesman for the California GOP party, told the Pioneer Press.

A spokeswoman said Schwarzenegger hasn't finalized plans for the convention but the party is tentatively titled "Welcome to Hollywood."

Guthrie spokeswoman Melodie Bahan said the Guthrie would suspend all productions during the convention Sept. 1-4.