Melissa Crabtree

Recent Performances

Spring 2024

Melissa appeared as Violet Newstead in Metropolis Performing Arts Center’s production of 9 to 5! Running May 4th through May 26th. (Seen in Purple with a Brunette Wig in the Video below!)

“Melissa Crabtree is divine… Joe and Violet do a number that will take your breath away” - Alan Bresloff

Around the Town Chicago

“Melissa Crabtree’s Violet is strong and ambitious. Despite the struggles Violet faces throughout the production, Crabtree shows us a resourceful, no-nonsense woman who is able to remain compassionate and caring, mirrored in her strong, yet compelling delivery of the vocal lines written for the character.” - Andy Hillier

LifeandTimes.biz

“As Violet, the long-suffering officer manager struggling to ascend the corporate ladder, Crabtree conveys wry, self-assurance and nice comedic timing.” - Barbara Vitello

Daily Herald

9 to 5 - Violet Highlight Reel

It’s Pronounced crab-tree, yes, it’s that easy!

Melissa (She/They) is a Musical Theatre Actress who specializes in Big, Bold, Physical comedy with an honest flair. Melissa has performed up and down Chicagoland, but loves to travel and see new places. She has been described as genuine, vocally athletic, eye catching, and a pleasure to work with (and as a “hooker with a heart of gold” in many a show review). She prides herself in taking risks onstage, and finding the joy in every moment offstage. She is currently Chicago based, but can be a local hire in Seattle & NYC as well.

Here’s some more Fun Facts About Melissa!

A dual citizen of Canada and the US, Melissa holds a BFA in Music Theatre Performance from St. Clair College, Windsor ON Canada. She also obtained a BA in Applied Theatre from Griffith University in Brisbane, Australia.

While in Australia, she won the GCAT Award for Best Actress for her performance as Natalie/Ed in All Shook Up.

Melissa’s favorite performance was when she played Mabel in Tall Ship Windy’s production of Pirates of Penzance which was performed under sail on Lake Michigan.

Melissa was Navy Pier’s longest-running Mrs. Claus at Winter Wonderfest - 9 years!

Melissa’s “thrival” job is her online shop An Actor Plans where she creates and sells theatre/broadway themed stickers and stationary.

In her spare time, Melissa enjoys baking, knitting, LEGOs, reading fan fiction, and petting her cat Mabel.

Melissa has learned 6 jokes but only remembers 4 of them.

Download PDF of Headshot & Resume

“The smile on my face throughout the show could not have been bigger, especially anytime Andres J. DeLeon and Melissa Crabtree took the stage…” - Amanda Finn New City Stage

AVENUE Q

Melissa appeared as Lucy the Slut, Mrs. Thisletwat, and a Bad Idea Bear in Music Theatre Works’ production of Avenue Q running from March 9th - April 2nd 2023.

“Melissa Crabtree is a magnificent singer/actor. She positively wails as she belts out her sexy number “Special,” as Lucy the Slut. The auburn-haired Ms. Crabtree, who has a gorgeous voice, is equally hilarious as both Mrs. Thistletwat and one of the Bad Idea Bears, and she literally lends a hand with portraying Trekkie Monster. Her vocal contribution to every company number is especially vibrant.” - Colin Douglas Chicago Theatre Review

“She too is a phenomenal singer and shows off some nice creativity in the voices she chooses to differentiate her characters.” - Rikki Lee Travolta The Life and Times of Rikki Lee Travolta

“Ms Crabtree is a powerhouse in her working with DeLeon and brings the sexy Lucy to life. She also does a great Mrs. Thistlewat, Kate Monster’s boss.” - Alan Bresloff Around the Town Chicago

“Crabtree owns the characters of Lucy the Slut, a chanteuse whose primary skill is unrelated to singing, and Mrs. Thistletwat, Kate Monster’s mean boss. Both Crabtree and DeLeon are wonderful, but Crabtree especially shines with Lucy. She is immensely watchable and expressive.”- Wendy Kromash Evanston Roundtable

Puppetry Real

Media

Production photos

Videos

Domina at Metropolis Theatre’s A Funny Thing…Forum

Mrs Claus at Navy Pier’s Winter Wonder Market

Press

Reviews

Fräulein Kost in Cabaret

“Melissa Crabtree’s Fräulein Kost is a quick-witted, kind, spunky hooker who favors sailors, but morphs into someone quite unlikeable with her frightening rendition of “Tomorrow Belongs to Me.” “ - Regina Belt-Daniels, Northwest Herald

Domina in A Funny thing happened on the way to the forum

“Melissa Crabtree uses her incredible and athletic voice to great comic effect as Domina throughout, but especially when holding an impossibly long note at the beginning of “That Dirty Old Man.” Crabtree’s performance highlights what is perhaps the biggest flaw of the play: it could use more Domina.” - Erin Fleming www.chicagolandmusicaltheatre.com

Velma Von Tussle in Hairspray - Brightside Theatre

“The dynamic duo of Melissa Crabtree and Michelle Bolliger are as funny as they are villainous, playing TV producer (and former “Miss Baltimore Crabs”) Velma Von Tussle and her spoiled, self-entitled Barbie Doll daughter, Amber. Together they chew up the scenery with relish” - www.chicagotheatrereview.com

Sarah Brown in Guys and Dolls - Brisbane AUSTRALIA

“(Melissa Crabtree) a voice and stage presence that was as good as any Hollywood star I’ve ever seen, even Jean Simmons, who played the role in the 1955 movie. Crabtree is from Chicago, and I’m not sure how long she’s been in Brisbane, but if some professional company doesn’t snap up her and her almost operatic soprano voice (think Kathryn Grayson), I’d be very surprised.” - Alison Cotes