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:

UPCOMING PRODUCTIONS:

  • Mel’s adaptation of Kelly Barnhill’s THE GIRL WHO DRANK THE MOON runs at Stages Theatre Company (Minnesota) March 27 - April 19. Tickets.

  • Jane Austen’s PERSUASION will go up at the Wayne Theatre (Virginia) in February 2026, at Michigan State University in April 2026, and at the Creekside Theatre Fest (Utah) in June 2026.

  • Mel was in London for two weeks in February 2026 workshopping the latest revision of LITTLE PIECE OF YOU with a stellar company. The workshop culminated in a staged reading on March 6. Exciting things are happening as our original musical continues to grow! Stay tuned.

  • SNAIL MAIL, an original play written for 4th - 6th graders, will tour schools across Utah as part of Plan-B Theatre’s 14th Annual FEST (Free Elementary School Tour) in Fall 2026. There will be two public performances in Spring 2027. More info and tickets.

  • Wayne Theatre’s ReperTOURy Company is touring THE ORPHANAGE at Virginia schools throughout Spring 2026.

  • Stages Theatre Company has commissioned Mel to adapt Erin Entrada Kelly’s Newbery Medal-winning HELLO, UNIVERSE for their 2027 season! The story features a Filipino protagonist and will be co-produced with Theater Mu.

  • Mel has signed on to adapt a popular novel for film! Updates to come.

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 give it a listen!

RECENT PRODUCTIONS:

  • PRIDE AND PREJUDICE enjoyed a sold-out run at Centerpoint Theatre (Utah) November 16 - December 30.

  • GIN MUMMY went up at The University of South Florida November 20 - 23.

  • A FORM OF FLATTERY received a staged reading as part of InHouse Theatre’s Celebration of New Plays in Los Angeles October 18.

  • GIN MUMMY received a staged reading at Grinnell College (Iowa) August 30.

  • A sold-out staged reading of PILOT PROGRAM happened August 2 at the Compass Gallery in Provo (Utah).

  • Mel’s commission to adapt Gertrude Chandler Warner’s family classic THE BOX-CAR CHILDREN opened the 2025 Creekside Theatre Fest in June! Check out this stellar review.

  • Mel recently finished a one act cutting of PRIDE AND PREJUDICE for high school competition, and it’s now available from Stage Partners.

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:

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