Press

​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.

‘Ruthless!’ sings

​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.”

​BWW Review: RUTHLESS THE MUSICAL Kills at Creative Cauldron

​Newcomer Sophia Manicone, a local 6th grader is making her professional debut as young starlet, Tina Denmark. Ms. Manicone is adorable and sinister in the part and really carries her own with the rest of the professionals in the cast.

​Theatre Review: ‘Witch’ at Creative Cauldron

​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.”

​Review: ‘Charlotte’s Web’ at Creative Cauldron

​Sophia Manicone as Fern perfectly balances the innocence of youth with the itch to be treated like a grownup.

​“Kaleidoscope,” An Intriguing Musical Tale of Alzheimer’s and a Life Well Lived

​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.

​Review: ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ at Providence Players of Fairfax

​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: Charlotte’s Web casts its spell at Creative Cauldron

​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.

Outstanding Lead Actress in a play  (nomination)

​Sophia Manicone as "Jean Louise Finch"
To Kill a Mockingbird
​Providence Players of Fairfax