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Natalie Toro, Sophia Manicone, More Will Star in Showcase Production of Watcher in the Woods Musical
A fully staged showcase production of the developing new musical Watcher in the Woods—based on Florence Engel Randall's 1976 novel—will be presented September 11–15 at Urban Stages.
Sophia Manicone, Natalie Toro and More Will Star in WATCHER IN THE WOODS Showcase Production
Producers announced today a fully staged showcase production of the new musical in development, WATCHER IN THE WOODS, music & orchestrations by Johanna Telander, book & lyrics by Douglas Thompson, music direction by Brian Walters, directed by Chase Kniffen, based on the 1976 novel by Florence Engel Randall. The showcase production will play Wednesday, September 11 – Sunday, September 15 at UrbanStages.
“A Senior at Fairfax County Public Schools is a cast member in the Broadway revival of “Parade,” starring Ben Platt. News4’s Jummy Olabanji spoke to Sophia Manicone about making her Broadway dreams come true.”
Fairfax County Senior Makes Broadway Debut in “Parade” Revival
Interview: Theatre Life with Sophia Manicone
The local actress on making her Broadway debut in Parade and more.
An up-close conversation with the Fairfax County high school senior who's now playing factory girl Iola Stover in the Tony-nominated musical.
Local actress Sophia Manicone on her Broadway debut in ‘Parade’
“For most performing arts enthusiasts, being able to take part in a Broadway production can be considered a distant dream, for an up-and-coming actor. For a local high school student and former Creative Cauldron performer, this dream is currently a reality.”
Local High School Student 'Parades' Her Talent in Broadway Debut
“Sophia Manicone has come a long way from her “Vienna Idol” days. The 18-year-old Vienna resident recently realized the dream of every theater kid with her Broadway debut in the revival of “Parade,” which officially opened yesterday (Thursday) at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre in New York City.”
FCPS student lives out dream with Broadway debut in ‘Parade’ revival
See who's joining stars Ben Platt and Micaela Diamond in the Jason Robert Brown-Alfred Uhry musical.
Complete Casting Revealed for Broadway Revival of Parade
Howard McGillin, Jay Armstrong Johnson, and More Join PARADE; Full Casting Announced!
“Sophia Manicone as 'Iola Stover,' William Michals as 'Detective Starnes,' Jackson Teeley as 'Officer Ivey,' and Charlie Webb as 'Young Soldier.'”
“This revival recalls an era of big casts, big stories and big talent - a time when musicals actually felt like events.”
NYT Parade Review: The Trial and Tragedy of Leo Frank
Parade: Triumphant Return of The Jason Robert Brown - Alfred Uhry Musical
“This revival recalls an era of big casts, big stories and big talent - a time when musicals actually felt like events.”
"Madison’s very own Sophia Manicone (’23) recently starred in an Off-Broadway production of “Parade” this November at the New York City Center."
“My favorite part about working with those incredible people was seeing how kind they are,” Manicone said. “It was so inspiring to see that these people found success with grace and a positive spirit. It was really cool seeing that they are just normal people too!”
Manicone makes New York City stage debut
New York City Center today announced complete casting for the Annual Gala Presentation Parade. Opening with a Gala benefit performance on Tuesday, November 1, Parade runs through November 6, 2022.
BWW: New York City Center's PARADE
The Hylton is alive with ‘The Sound of Music’ and top-tier acting (review)
"...credit to how convincingly Sophia Manicone plays Liesl — she performs the character with such thorough innocence and naivete ... Manicone plays a major role in helping convey in the story more broadly ... that one feels truly anxious for her knowing what her love interest Rolf...is about to become."
‘Sister Act’ at Prince William Little Theatre makes a joyful noise (review)
"The Life I Never Led” portrays one of the strongest aspects of character storytelling in the show. Kudos must be given to Sophia Manicone, who knocks it out of the park not just vocally, but with a clear sense of purpose and development for the character of Postulate Mary Robert."
Theatre Review: ‘The Diary of Anne Frank’ at Reston Community Players (review)
"The Diary of Anne Frank has returned to the stage in a touching production, grounded by a remarkable performance by one of our area’s exciting, young talents in the title role... Manicone’s performance of Anne is a revelation."
"The acting is superb and that Sophia Manicone, who stars as Anne, is only a ninth grader, is astonishing. She shows maturity and acting ability far beyond her years."
Reston's outstanding 'Anne Frank' (review)
"Manicone embodies this journey beautifully, conveying the maturity and personal transformation that she experiences as a young teenager and taking Anne from a precocious 13-year-old to a vivacious young woman by the end of the play."
Reston Community Players delivers a powerful ‘The Diary of Anne Frank’ (review)
New musical Kaleidoscope gets stunning debut with Florence Lacey in the lead (review)
As strong as the Smith and Conner’s writing and direction are, the all female cast is impeccable. Young Sophia Manicone, who earlier in the Creative Cauldron season tore up the stage as the homicidal child star in Ruthless, brings maturity and depth beyond her years to her dual roles as young Evelyn and the aging star’s granddaughter.
Ruthless! – a poisoned parody of musicals brimming with talent at Creative Cauldron (review)
Tina, played to perfection by local sixth grader Sophia Manicone. The smile, the toe-tapping timing, the big voice – this kid’s a winner on all counts. Manicone also nails the comic tone of the piece, never losing her strong character as the wannabe star willing to kill for a part. Tina is a juicy (and somewhat naughty) role and Manicone handles herself like a professional.
Katie McManus is chirpy homemaker Judy Denmark, whose daughter Tina (a winningly ambitious Sophie Manicone) hops up onto the living-room coffee table to belt “Born to Entertain.” “How ya doin’?” Manicone winks to a man in the front row during the song. Acting like an old vaudeville pro, she adds, ‘It’s a rhetorical question.”
‘Ruthless!’ sings
The young women of the cast demonstrate abilities well beyond their years, delivering superb performances that incorporate humor, honesty, and sensitivity. Arianna Vargas (Marie), Sophia Manicone (Fiona), and Samaria Dellorso (Mary) shine in their group number, “Pretty/The Tale of Youth.”
Theatre Review: ‘Witch’ at Creative Cauldron
Sophia Manicone as Fern perfectly balances the innocence of youth with the itch to be treated like a grownup.
Review: ‘Charlotte’s Web’ at Creative Cauldron
A first-rate four-woman cast (one of them a very bright, engaging young girl, Sophia Manicone) brings this story to vibrant life. ... Also, a big wow is how I suspect most of the audience felt about 12 year old Sophia Manicone, a mini-Evelyn Thorne playing Child! She has a vibrant voice and demeanor far beyond her years and portrays the young Evelyn to perfection and very believably, too.
“Kaleidoscope,” An Intriguing Musical Tale of Alzheimer’s and a Life Well Lived
The unmitigated star, upon which the whole of the production rested and excelled was Sophia Manicone, who in look, body language and attitude, masterfully embodied Scout.
Review: ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ at Providence Players of Fairfax
Manicone is also a great Fern, going easily from child to pre-teen during the show, singing “Mama You Don’t Understand Me,” with her mother (Izzy Smelkinson) about how she’ll never change (i.e., take notice of boys) only to find herself in her first courtship while perusing the fair.
Review: Charlotte’s Web casts its spell at Creative Cauldron
Sophia Manicone as "Jean Louise Finch"
To Kill a Mockingbird
Providence Players of Fairfax