Grease at Broadway by the Bay, June 7th-23rd at the Fox Theater, Redwood City
" As always, costumes and hairstyles are important elements of any audience's enjoyment of Grease, {..} costume wiz Merissa Mann not only do(es) not disappoint, [she] exceeds expectations with [her] end results being both eye-popping and big-smile-producing." - Eddie Reynolds, Talkin Broadway https://www.talkinbroadway.com/page/regional/sanjose/sj169.html
Aida at Broadway by the Bay, Nov 2nd- 18th
at the historic Fox Theater in Redwood City
Talkin' Broadway critic Eddie Reynolds says, "Special kudos go to Merissa Mann for an array of ancient costumes that have modern flairs and pizzazz, that sparkle with imagination, and that bring the colors, customs and cultures of both Egypt and Nubia front and center on the stage before us. "
"I was impressed by the beautiful costumes and intriguing head pieces by Merissa Mann."- Camille Bounds, Morgan Hill Life
"Merissa Mann’s costumes solidify the class structure of the era, with the Egyptians wearing more costly threads and the Nubians in simple outfits. Mann goes all out on red-haired McGinty’s costumes, using vivid turquoises to accentuate her coloring and beauty. She dresses Jetè in simpler, softer colors, light pinks and whites [...]." - Joanne Engelhardt, The Mercury News
"the orchestra, led by Alicia Jeffrey, is excellent, as are the glitzy, campy costumes by Merissa Mann"- Karla Kane, Palo Alto Weekly
Pericles at Marin Shakespeare, June 2018
PERICLES at Marin Shakespeare
The critics rave: "There are nearly 100 costumes in the show, and as designed and deployed by designer Merissa Mann, they add immensely to the visual character of the production, and aid audience in quickly adapting to new locations and roles. Mann also supplies some comic touches of her own that are well played."
- Jeanie K. Smith, Talkin' Broadway
"There’s a glitzy ’80s new wave aesthetic to Merissa Mann’s costumes, accentuated by silvery makeup"
- Sam Hurwitt, Marin Independent Journal
"Merissa Mann’s often garish costumes are an omnium gatherum of styles and colors. The highly suggestive reds and blacks in the brothel scene that contrast with Marina’s dainty frock are particularly effective."
- Victor Cordell, Berkshire Fine Arts
"A core ensemble takes on multiple roles, depending on the location, leaning heavily on costume designer Merissa Mann to clarify who they are portraying. She uses color, fabric weight and silhouettes to give each kingdom its own aesthetic. Tyre is soft, filled with lavender and dove gray, contrasting with Antioch’s harsh black and magenta with stiff satin and BDSM references."
- Alexa Chipman, Sonoma County Gazette
Original Designs for Pericles:
Where The Boys Are, August 10-18 | The Rueff at The Strand Theater
"A broken heart and a baby shower. Sounds like a lighthearted Sunday. Actually it's Saturday, but will your Sunday be any different? All the boys are gone. It's our world now. So you better be "gettin it", girl. Or else."
Vanessa Flores, Playwright/ Kieran Beccia, Director /Carl Oser, Music Director/Arranger /Marisa Ramos, Assistant Director /Austin Owen, Dramaturg / Noah Kramer, Scenic and Props Designer /Merissa Mann, Costume Designer / Elton Bradman, Sound Designer /Maxx Kurzunski, Lighting Designer / Jakob Bernardino, Stage Manager
Role Player's Ensemble's production of Animal Farm
Masks by Merissa Mann
Critical review: " Kudos [...] to Merissa Mann for her award-worthy masks of believable animal headpieces that lift to allow clear-face intelligible speech."- The Independent
Full Article: http://www.independentnews.com/culture/review-animal-farm-an-amazing-must-see/article_949d5816-0c5f-11e8-ac48-b393b2fb8b8a.html
Flash Gordon Renderings with Fabric Swatches
Berkeley Playhouse's Youth Production of Drowsy Chaperone
Short Costume Design Film: news report of a "leaked" scene for the rebooted film Escape From New York, in theaters 2018
Costume Renderings
Cirque du Soliel presents Alice in Wonderland
Alice, now in the blush of womanhood becomes lost in the luscious and seductive world of the late 19th century Moulin Rouge. As the night progress, Alice embarks upon a journey of sensual self discovery as she encounters old childhood friends such as the Queen of Hearts, the Cheshire Cat, and the Caterpillar!