Welcome
Hi! I’m Mel and I'm a writer. Feel free to browse the site to find out about me and my work. Don’t hesitate to contact me to learn more. Thanks for stopping by! This is what I’m up to at the moment:
All six episodes of Mel’s audio adaptation of Jane Austen’s PRIDE AND PREJUDICE (with exclusive, expanded content) are now live on Dramafy.com. The adaptation was produced by Dramafy in association with UK-based theatre company Little Pixie Productions. The performances are wonderful — including narration by Shani Wallis (Nancy in the Best Picture winner OLIVER!) — so be sure to check it out!
UPCOMING PRODUCTIONS:
Roadshow Theatre Co. will present a reading of PILOT PROGRAM April 30 at 7 p.m. at the Compass Gallery in Provo. Tickets may be purchased here.
Esterhazy High School’s production of THE POST OFFICE won their regional one-act competition and will compete at the provincial level Saskatchewan, Canada, in May 2025.
Brighton High School’s production of MARTYRS’ CROSSING won first place in their region and will compete in the Utah High School 5A one-act competition April 17 - 19.
PRIDE AND PREJUDICE will be staged at Grand Prairie Fine Arts Academy (Texas) in April 2025; Toowoomba Anglican School (Australia) in May 2025; Corn Stock Theatre (Illinois) in June 2025; Charitable Acts Theatre (Utah) in June 2025; at CenterPoint Theatre (Utah) November 2025; and at The Ruth in August 2026 (Utah).
Mel was commissioned to adapt Gertrude Chandler Warner’s family classic THE BOX-CAR CHILDREN for Creekside Theatre Fest. Rehearsals have started, and the show goes up in June 2025.
GIN MUMMY will go up at the University of South Florida in November 2025.
Kelly Barnhill’s THE GIRL WHO DRANK THE MOON will go up at Stages Theatre Co. (Minnesota) in March 2026.
PERSUASION will go up at the Wayne Theatre (Virginia) in February 2026 and at Michigan State University in April 2026.
RECENT PRODUCTIONS:
The Wayne Theatre (VA) toured THE EDIBLE COMPLEX in March 2025.
PRIDE AND PREJUDICE went up at Henderson Civic Theatre (Texas) in February 2025; as well as at a number of high schools across the USA, as well as schools in Taiwan and Australia.
Mel’s latest TYA play, SNAIL MAIL, had a table read in Plan-B Theatre’s Lab in February 2025.
GIN MUMMY was discussed in Red Theater’s monthly script club in December 2024.
LITTLE PIECE OF YOU received a concert staging at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane October 31 - November 1.
GIN MUMMY was produced in an actual drawing room at Bridgewater College (VA) October 23 - 26.
PERSUASION went up at Snow College (UT) October 9 - 16.
LITTLE HAPPY SECRETS will be part of Middle Tennessee State University’s one act festival October 9 - 11.
From the world premiere of Rabindranath Tagore’s THE POST OFFICE, adapted by Melissa Leilani Larson, at Plan-B Theatre Company (Jerry Rapier, artistic director, and Cheryl Cluff, managing director) in Salt Lake City, Utah, August 24–26, 2019. Directed by Adam Wilkins; set and prop design by Madeline Ashton, assisted by Zach Scarborough; costume design by Maddiey Howell-Wilkins, assisted by Caitie Neilson; lighting design by Pilar Davis, assisted by Avero Larson; and sound design by Cheryl Cluff, assisted by Travis Fullerton. Actors: Alexis Bitner; Elaia Echeverria; Kaplan Keener; Sarah D'Anella; Melainey Isaac; Hunter Oliphant; Andrew Pankey ; Emily Tippetts; Carter Wagstaff; Jevahjire France; Tyrah Sanchez. Photo by Rick Pollock.
IN THE PRESS:
Mel was a guest on a podcast: “Jane Austen From Page to Stage” — OnStage Blog
“Two Utah County Premieres Receive Professional Debuts in London” — BroadwayWorld.com
“Utah Playwright’s Work at Theatre Royal Drury Lane” — UtahTheatreBloggers.com
Mel is featured in a Salt Lake Tribune article by Palak Jayswal: “Shakespeare, Austen and a mummy: This Utah playwright set to open back-to-back-to-back shows.”
Mel’s newest work in progress, A FORM OF FLATTERY, was recently named a finalist for the 46th Bay Area Playwrights Festival. Mel is also included in a special cohort of 12 Honorable Mention playwrights described by Playwrights Foundation dramaturg Heather Helinksy as “exciting voices whose theatrical innovations and compelling stories excited our readers and are ready for a fast-track to production.”
Mel created the story and wrote the book for a new musical, LITTLE PIECE OF YOU (formerly RELATIVE SPACE) featuring original songs written by rising recording star Kjersti Long.
The cast for LITTLE PIECE OF YOU: David Bedella as Ethan; Mica Paris as Shannon; Dujonna Gift as Britt; Kjersti Long as Sydney Hill. LITTLE PIECE OF YOU will receive a concert staging at Theatre Royal Drury Lane October 31 - November 1.
RECENT REVIEWS:
“Snow College choosing to visit [Larson’s] classic adaptation of Persuasion is exciting, and worth the drive to San Pete County.” — Maren Scriven, Utah Theatre Bloggers
“Audiences will love local playwright Larson’s adaptation [of PRIDE AND PREJUDICE]. She brings the characters to life and honors the best parts of Jane Austen’s legacy.” — Jane Smith, Front Row Reviewers
“It is a truth universally acknowledged that a person in possession of a ticket to this performance will find themselves thoroughly delighted.” — Scott Savage, Utah Theatre Bloggers
“Bitter Lemon is a prized chamber theater jewel.” — Les Roka, The Utah Review
“This understated two-person show [BITTER LEMON] is thought-provoking and visceral. Larson is a celebrated Utah playwright for a reason, and this show is no exception.” — Ashlei Havili Thomas, Front Row Reviewers