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Melissa Heckscher

Melissa Heckscher

Melissa Heckscher is a freelance writer and mother of three living in Los Angeles. A former daily news and features reporter, she is the author of eight nonfiction books and has written for newspapers, magazines, and television stations across the country including The Los Angeles Daily News, the Orange County Register, and NY1 News (New York City). She wishes she could sing, dance and act—even karaoke-caliber would do—but is fine watching the professionals do it on stage.  






MOST POPULAR ARTICLES

Interview: Two-Time Tony Winner Norbert Leo Butz Brings Three Decades of Broadway to Segerstrom Center for the Arts
Interview: Two-Time Tony Winner Norbert Leo Butz Brings Three Decades of Broadway to Segerstrom Center for the Arts
February 25, 2026

Two-time Tony Award winner Norbert Leo Butz talks to BroadwayWorld ahead of his February 26–28 solo concert at Segerstrom Center for the Arts.

Interview: MANDY GONZALEZ IN CONCERT at BroadStage Santa Monica
Interview: MANDY GONZALEZ IN CONCERT at BroadStage Santa Monica
February 24, 2026

In an interview with BroadwayWorld, Mandy Gonzalez discusses her most meaningful roles, her love of theatre, and what audiences can expect from her February 28 concert at BroadStage in Santa Monica.

Interview: Director Patrick Bristow on Improv, Puppetry, and the Lasting Appeal of PUPPET UP! – UNCENSORED
Interview: Director Patrick Bristow on Improv, Puppetry, and the Lasting Appeal of PUPPET UP! – UNCENSORED
February 20, 2026

Patrick Bristow breaks down how live improv and Henson-style puppetry come together in Puppet Up! – Uncensored, playing Feb. 20 - Mar. 1 at the Ricardo Montalbán Theatre in Hollywood.

Interview: Amanda Robles Talks Vocals, Comedy, and Touring with SPAMALOT
Interview: Amanda Robles Talks Vocals, Comedy, and Touring with SPAMALOT
February 16, 2026

BroadwayWorld chats with Connecticut native Amanda Robles, who plays The Lady of the Lake in the North American Tour of Spamalot.

Interview: Mary Eileen O’Donnell, Ayindé Howell & Willa Fossum of MORE MIRACLES at The Actors' Gang Theater
Interview: Mary Eileen O’Donnell, Ayindé Howell & Willa Fossum of MORE MIRACLES at The Actors' Gang Theater
January 30, 2026

Why see one play when you can see three? The Actors' Gang presents More Miracles, a trio of original one-act plays ranging from absurd comedy to heartfelt reflection, running through Feb. 21 in Culver City. BroadwayWorld talked with the writers to find out what audiences can expect.

Review: AVENUE Q at The Wisteria Theater
Review: AVENUE Q at The Wisteria Theater
January 28, 2026

AVENUE Q is back at North Hollywood's Wisteria Theater with a superb cast and standout vocals that bring fresh life—and plenty of laughs—to the beloved, boundary-pushing musical.

Interview: Cade Slattery of STOMP at Cerritos Center For The Performing Arts
Interview: Cade Slattery of STOMP at Cerritos Center For The Performing Arts
January 25, 2026

The Off-Broadway percussion hit that turned everyday objects into instruments marks its 30th anniversary with a national tour, stopping in Cerritos Feb. 4–5. BroadwayWorld spoke with longtime cast member Cade Slattery about what’s new.

Interview: Cal Mitchell of THE WIZ at Segerstrom Center For The Arts
Interview: Cal Mitchell of THE WIZ at Segerstrom Center For The Arts
January 14, 2026

Nashville native Cal Mitchell talks with BroadwayWorld about his journey as the Cowardly Lion in the national tour of THE WIZ. playing in Costa Mesa through Jan. 25

Interview: Rayna Hickman on THE NOTEBOOK, Homecoming, and Finding Musical Theater Later in Life
Interview: Rayna Hickman on THE NOTEBOOK, Homecoming, and Finding Musical Theater Later in Life
January 4, 2026

BroadwayWorld talks with THE NOTEBOOK's Rayna Hickman to discuss her journey, the show’s emotional power, and what it means to return home with the show, playing at the Hollywood Pantages January 6–25 before heading to Segerstrom Center for the Arts Jan. 27–Feb. 8.

Interview: Ben Platt Comes Home for a Two-Week Ahmanson Residency
Interview: Ben Platt Comes Home for a Two-Week Ahmanson Residency
December 9, 2025

Fresh off a national tour and New York residency, the Tony, Grammy, and Emmy-winning performer talks set lists, surprise guests, and why he’ll always choose a “show family” over the solo spotlight.

Interview: Claire DeJean of STEREOPHONIC at Hollywood Pantages Theatre
Interview: Claire DeJean of STEREOPHONIC at Hollywood Pantages Theatre
December 8, 2025

Claire DeJean of STEREOPHONIC, playing Dec. 9-Jan. 2 at the Hollywood Pantages, dishes on touring, rock vocals, and why playing Diana feels like coming home.

Review: TINSELCOLOR: HOLIDAY SOUNDTRACKS LIVE at CineVita
Review: TINSELCOLOR: HOLIDAY SOUNDTRACKS LIVE at CineVita
December 8, 2025

Backed by powerhouse vocals, infectious energy and a tent dripping with Old-Hollywood glamour, TINSELCOLOR makes even the most familiar Christmas tunes feel freshly magical.

How Do You Make a Crocodile Sing? An Interview With “Enormous Crocodile” Composer Ahmed Gallab
How Do You Make a Crocodile Sing? An Interview With “Enormous Crocodile” Composer Ahmed Gallab
December 1, 2025

BroadwayWorld talks with composer Ahmed Abdullahi Gallab about the music, puppets, and family fun behind Roald Dahl’s The Enormous Crocodile musical, playing at the Kirk Douglas Theatre through January 4.

Kernels of Wisdom: Quinn VanAntwerp on the Sweet, Silly Joy of SHUCKED
Kernels of Wisdom: Quinn VanAntwerp on the Sweet, Silly Joy of SHUCKED
November 11, 2025

Longtime Broadway actor Quinn VanAntwerp talks to BroadwayWorld about what it’s like to play the comedic villain in the Tony Award-winning SHUCKED, playing at the Segerstrom Center for the Performing Arts in Costa Mesa through November 23.

Interview: Alan Edmunds and Richard Winzeler on Bringing the Mystery of a 1920s Child Prodigy to life in PERFECT WORLD
Interview: Alan Edmunds and Richard Winzeler on Bringing the Mystery of a 1920s Child Prodigy to life in PERFECT WORLD
October 30, 2025

The creators of PERFECT WORLD discuss how the true story of a brilliant young novelist who vanished in 1939 became the inspiration for their new musical, playing Nov. 1-9 at the El Portal Theatre.

Interview: Bobby Daye on Bringing Harold Zidler to Life in MOULIN ROUGE! THE MUSICAL
Interview: Bobby Daye on Bringing Harold Zidler to Life in MOULIN ROUGE! THE MUSICAL
October 28, 2025

Broadway veteran Bobby Daye chats with BroadwayWorld about returning to Moulin Rouge! as Harold Zidler, his love for the Los Angeles theatre scene, and the hilarious moment he fell asleep mid-performance.

Review: A Hauntingly Intimate PARADE at Venice’s Electric Lodge
Review: A Hauntingly Intimate PARADE at Venice’s Electric Lodge
October 25, 2025

That a show as powerful as Parade can soar in a small theater is a testament to both the talent of its director and the strength of its cast, of which there isn’t a weak link in the bunch.

Review: HA HA HA HA HA HA HA at Pasadena Playhouse
Review: HA HA HA HA HA HA HA at Pasadena Playhouse
October 21, 2025

Clowning meets catharsis: Julia Masli’s hit HA HA HA HA HA HA HA turns audience problems into performance art at the Pasadena Playhouse.



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