Melody Butiu

MELODY BUTIU has performed as an actor and singer across the country and overseas. Born in New York and raised in Washington State, she lives in Manhattan Beach, California, where she works in film, television, and theatre. She is represented by Ellis Talent Group and LA Talent in Los Angeles, Headline Talent Agency in New York, and SLJ Management.

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She will be playing Sofia Flores in the upcoming production of Queen of Versailles, with Music and Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, and Book by Lindsey Ferrentino. Directed by Michael Arden, the new musical stars Tony and Emmy Winner Kristin Chenoweth as Jackie Siegel, Academy Award Winner F. Murray Abraham as David Siegel, and Nina White as Victoria Siegel. The show will run from July 16-August 18, 2024 at Boston's Emerson Colonial Theatre, prior to its anticipated run on Broadway.

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In 2023, she reprised her role as Estrella (Lucille Lortel Award nomination, Best Featured Actress in a musical) in David Byrne and Fatboy Slim’s HERE LIES LOVE at The Broadway Theatre in New York, directed by Alex Timbers. An immersive disco musical about the rise and fall of Imelda Marcos, the show received critical and audience acclaim, and was listed in the Top Ten Theatre Productions of 2023 on several year-end reviews. The show was originally produced by The Public Theater in 2013, and had subsequent productions in 2014 in NYC and London, and in 2017 at Seattle Repertory Theatre. The run concluded on November 26, 2023.

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Melody plays Tita Yvonne in Amblin's Easter Sunday, starring comedian Jo Koy. The family comedy, featuring the first Filipino-American family in a major studio film, is available on Blu-Ray, DVD, and on demand now.

 

In Spring of 2015, Melody made her Broadway debut in DOCTOR ZHIVAGO at The Broadway Theatre, directed by Des McAnuff, and choreographed by Kelly Devine. She was in the ensemble, and was featured in the memorable roles of  Kubarikha and Marfa.

 

Melody appears in the films, Untold: This is My Story, Swearing, The Patients, A Mother's Greatest Fear, Blood Ransom and Atonal. Her Television credits include, "Call Me Kat," "Mom," "This is Us," "NCIS: LA," "The Kominsky Method," "Kingdom," "Rizzoli & Isles," “NCIS,” “Melissa & Joey,” “Harry’s Law, “ “True Blood, “ “No Ordinary Family,” “Desperate Housewives,” “Modern Family,” “Samantha Who,” “Cold Case,” “Without A Trace,” “Rules Of Engagement,” “Scrubs,” “Invasion,” and “General Hospital.”

 

With a vibrant theatre career, she originated roles in the world premieres of RIGHT TO BE FORGOTTEN (Arena Stage), HERE LIES LOVE (Public Theater), MONSTRESS (American Conservatory Theatre), THE INTELLIGENT DESIGN OF JENNY CHOW (Pulitzer Prize nom), SHIPWRECKED (by Donald Margulies, starring Gregory Itzin), HELEN (Getty Villa), NIGHTMARE ALLEY (Geffen Playhouse), CALLIGRAPHY (Playwrights’ Arena), LONG SEASON (Perseverance Theatre in Alaska), A WINTER PEOPLE (Theatre @ Boston Court), THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING (Singapore Rep and East West Players), A PERFECT WEDDING (Kirk Douglas Theatre), CELEBRATION OF THE LIZARD (San Diego Rep), DOGEATERS and BOY (La Jolla Playhouse), as well as in productions of A CHRISTMAS CAROL (South Coast Rep), SOUTH PACIFIC (Theatre Under the Stars/Rev Theatre Company), VIETGONE (Denver Center/Geva), MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG (Wallis Annenberg), SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE (Huntington Theatre), STAGE KISS (Geffen Playhouse), A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC (East West Players), LONG STORY SHORT (San Diego Rep), 36 VIEWS (Geva/Portland Center Stage/Laguna Playhouse), HAIR (Reprise!), and GOLDEN CHILD (EWP).

 

Melody received her BA and MFA from UC San Diego.

 

She has three gorgeous nephews, loves beach living with her partner, transformational coach, drummer, and all-around-kick-ass-gentleman, Alan Combies. She's been known to sing with his band Dinosaur Tooth on occasion, and enjoys cooking, baking, and knitting (super hygge), as well as doing beach runs/clean ups. FUN FACT: She once won $25,000 on a game show called "Don't Forget the Lyrics," with host, Wayne Brady. Then, several years later, shared the stage with him in Stephen Sondheim's MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG at the Wallis Annenberg Center. She also trained for and completed the Olympic Distance race of the LA Triathlon. Once. One time. Just once. That was enough for her.