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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 more than anything that she could sing, dance and act—even karaoke-caliber would do—but is fine watching the professionals do it on stage.  




LEARN MORE ABOUT Melissa Heckscher

First Show:

Cats

Favorite Show:

Wicked



MOST POPULAR ARTICLES

From Ballet to Broadway and Back: SWAN LAKE's Andrei Chagas Talks Musical Theater
From Ballet to Broadway and Back: SWAN LAKE's Andrei Chagas Talks Musical Theater
June 11, 2025

BroadwayWorld sat down with ballet dancer Andrei Chagas about how his foray into musical theater changed him as a dancer, and what audiences can expect of the latest production of Swan Lake, which will run at the Segerstrom June 20-22 before moving to the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion June 26-29.

Interview: Jeremy Jordan Brings His One-Man Show to Segerstrom After Tony-Nominated Run
Interview: Jeremy Jordan Brings His One-Man Show to Segerstrom After Tony-Nominated Run
June 5, 2025

Just a week after he wraps up his final performance in the titular role of FLOYD COLLINS on Broadway—a role that earned him a 2025 Tony Award nomination—musical theater icon Jeremy Jordan will head to Los Angeles to perform his long-running and (as of now) nearly sold-out one-man show at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts, June 28–29.

Review: SAW THE MUSICAL at Hudson Theatres Mainstage
Review: SAW THE MUSICAL at Hudson Theatres Mainstage
May 26, 2025

Ultimately, I liked SAW The Musical for its weirdness. But even as a horror-loving theater nerd, I didn’t quite fall in love. For me, this bloody musical parody didn’t quite slay.

Interview: Cast & Crew Discuss Dazzling Puppetry Behind LIFE OF PI
Interview: Cast & Crew Discuss Dazzling Puppetry Behind LIFE OF PI
May 20, 2025

The cast and crew of LIFE OF PI, playing in the LA area through June 15, talk to the press about how the award-winning novel comes to life on stage.

Interview: John Skelley on the Magic Behind HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD
Interview: John Skelley on the Magic Behind HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD
May 12, 2025

With about a month left of its Hollywood run, BroadwayWorld sat down with John Skelley, who plays the adult Harry Potter in the show, to try and get the scoop on the show's secrets.

THE ADDAMS FAMILY Touring Cast Talks With Their Middle School Selves
THE ADDAMS FAMILY Touring Cast Talks With Their Middle School Selves
May 13, 2025

Stars of the Broadway National Tour of THE ADDAMS FAMILY recently sat down for a Zoom with their younger selves—a trio of Los Angeles-area middle school students who recently performed the School Edition of the musical. Here's what they had to say.

Preview: CIRQUE DU SOLEIL ECHO at Laguna Hills Mall
Preview: CIRQUE DU SOLEIL ECHO at Laguna Hills Mall
May 9, 2025

A look at Cirque du Soleil's newest touring show, ECHO (playing in Laguna Hills May 23 through June 29), which features a high-tech, moving 'cube' to act as a background and acrobatic launch pad.

Interview: Justin Meyer on Directing LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS at The Nocturne Theatre
Interview: Justin Meyer on Directing LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS at The Nocturne Theatre
April 15, 2025

BroadwayWorld talks with Nocturne Theatre co-owner Justin Meyer on directing Little Shop of Horrors, which runs through May 18 in Glendale.

Interview: Director Sammi Cannold on bringing RENT IN CONCERT to the Segerstrom Center For The Arts
Interview: Director Sammi Cannold on bringing RENT IN CONCERT to the Segerstrom Center For The Arts
March 9, 2025

BroadwayWorld talks with veteran director Sammi Cannold, who will direct RENT IN CONCERT at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts March 15.

Interview: Taylor Lane And Ellie Roddy on Becoming CHICAGO's Infamous Duo
Interview: Taylor Lane And Ellie Roddy on Becoming CHICAGO's Infamous Duo
March 9, 2025

Broadway World sat down with Taylor Lane and Ellie Roddy, who are playing the famous Velma Kelly and Roxie Hart in the 10th national tour of Chicago, at the Cerritos Center for the Arts March 14-16.

Interview: Hazel Vogel of ANNIE at Segerstrom Center For The Arts
Interview: Hazel Vogel of ANNIE at Segerstrom Center For The Arts
February 20, 2025

What’s it like to be on tour as America’s favorite Tomorrow-loving redhead? Fellow tweens (and aspiring Broadway actresses themselves) sat down with ANNIE's Hazel Vogel to find out. 

Review: TARANTINO | PULP ROCK at CineVita in Hollywood Park
Review: TARANTINO | PULP ROCK at CineVita in Hollywood Park
February 16, 2025

TARANTINO | PULP ROCK just opened at the brand-new CineVita venue at Hollywood Park in Los Angeles. The immersive concert/ musical theater experience will excite both Tarantino fans and Quentin newbies.

Interview: CLAYBOURNE ELDER at Segerstrom Center For The Arts
Interview: CLAYBOURNE ELDER at Segerstrom Center For The Arts
February 12, 2025

BroadwayWorld talks with 'The Gilded Age' and 'Sunday in the Park with George' actor Claybourne Elder about his nonprofit, City of Strangers, which gives away Broadway tickets to people who can’t afford them.

Interview: Michael Fabisch of DEAR EVAN HANSEN at Cerritos Center For The Performing Arts
Interview: Michael Fabisch of DEAR EVAN HANSEN at Cerritos Center For The Performing Arts
February 5, 2025

Michael Fabisch, 23, talks to BroadwayWorld about how he got started in theater, what it's like to take on Evan's emotional turmoil night after night—and how his biggest challenge may actually be tying his tie on stage every show. 

Interview: Sarah Lynn Marion of KIMBERLY AKIMBO at Segerstrom Center For The Arts
Interview: Sarah Lynn Marion of KIMBERLY AKIMBO at Segerstrom Center For The Arts
January 21, 2025

Orange County native Sarah Lynn Marion talks with BroadwayWorld about her Broadway debut—and what it’s like to be an understudy for two roles in the show. 

Preview: THE ALUMINUM SHOW at Cerritos Center For The Performing Arts
Preview: THE ALUMINUM SHOW at Cerritos Center For The Performing Arts
January 9, 2025

The Aluminum Show, which will play on January 24 at the Cerritos Center for the Arts, is a 75-minute spectacle that transforms everyday metal objects into moving, dancing works of art.

Interview: The Crew of BACK TO THE FUTURE on Tour Talks Special Effects, Time Travel
Interview: The Crew of BACK TO THE FUTURE on Tour Talks Special Effects, Time Travel
December 23, 2024

BroadwayWorld talks with the touring crew of BACK TO THE FUTURE to get the scoop on how the high-tech show makes it on the road.

Interview: Kaat Dumarey of KOOZA at the Santa Monica Pier
Interview: Kaat Dumarey of KOOZA at the Santa Monica Pier
December 15, 2024

Cirque du Soleil has two weeks left at its temporary home under the Big Top at the Santa Monica Pier. Before it heads out of town, we got the behind-the-scenes scoop about one of the show's biggest acts.



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