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ABOUT THE DIRECTOR

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J. Scott Lapp

has been working in the theatre business for over 33 years performing in over 100 shows in and around San Diego County. He is an award-winning Director and Producer with over 130 productions under his belt, having worked across the United States as well as Internationally in London, Denmark, Japan and Canada. He is an alumnus of the Directors Lab West, a proud member of the SDC and a 2011 SDC Emerging Artist. He is the recipient of the 2022 Craig Noel Award for Outstanding Direction for his production of Witnesses. He is also the Artistic Director of CCAE Theatricals in Southern California.

 

Recent directorial projects include the San Diego Premiere of the best-selling novel, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time that earned rave reviews from the SDUT, BroadwayWorld and more. The world premiere of Bottle Shock! The Musical that played the Center Theater last summer, and the world premiere of Witnesses, which won the 2022 Craig Noel Award for Outstanding New Production. 

He also served as the Associate Director on the world premiere West End production of Dreamwork's The Prince of Egypt that can now be viewed on BroadwayHD and various streaming services.  He recently directed the Japanese tour of Murder For Two that played in Tokyo, Osaka, Sendai & Matsumoto. Upcoming productions include a return to Busch Garden's ChristmasTown in 2024 to direct Gloria and Scrooge No More and the remount of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time at the Lewis Family Playhouse in January 2025. 

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Associate/Assistant Directing credits include Broadway: Bonnie & Clyde; International: The Prince of Egypt (West End, Fredericia Teater); National Tour: Murder for Two, Xanadu (La Jolla Playhouse, National Tour); Off-Broadway: Murder For Two (New World Stages, Second Stage); Regional: The Prince of Egypt (TheatreWorks Silicon Valley), Rain (Old Globe), Disney’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame (Paper Mill Playhouse, La Jolla Playhouse), Into the Woods (Old Globe), Secondhand Lions (5th Ave), Somewhere in Time (PCS), Good People (Old Globe), A Room With A View (Old Globe), Somewhere (Old Globe), Bonnie & Clyde (NY Workshop, La Jolla Playhouse, Asolo Repertory), Limelight: The Story of Charlie Chaplin (La Jolla Playhouse), and workshops of The Prince of Egypt, Upstaged, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Somewhere in Time, The John Birch Society Musical, Secondhand Lions, Leap of Faith, A Room With A View, Romy and Michelle’s High School Reunion, The Weathermen and Restoration.

Selected directing credits include International: Murder for Two (Japan, Calgary), Regional: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time (San Diego Premiere), Bottle Shock! The Musical (World Premiere), Witnesses (World Premiere), OnceJoseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat in Concert (CCAE Theatricals), Disney's Mary Poppins, Freaky Friday (Moonlight Amphitheater), The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time (Farmers Alley), Minnie's Boys (Musical Theatre Guild), The Bridges of Madison County (Public Theatre San Antonio), Godspell, Disenchanted, First Date (Prima Theatre), Little Women, Peter and The Starcatcher, Chess, Carousel, Spring Awakening, Urinetown the Musical (Barn Stage Company), Sweeney Todd (North Carolina Summer Rep), Hairspray, First Date (San Diego Musical Theatre)Murder for Two: Christmas Edition (Bucks County), Murder for Two (Bristol Riverside Theater, NC Theatre, The Cape Playhouse, Saint Michael’s Playhouse, Red Barn Theatre, Farmers Alley)Zapata! The Musical (New York), Murder for Two (Denver, Pittsburgh), The Untitled John Mayer Project (World Premiere), The Temporary Man, Footloose and Sondheim Unplugged. He has worked for several major regional theaters including 5th Avenue, Arizona Theatre Company, Asolo Repertory Theatre, Bucks County Playhouse, Denver Center Theatre Company, The Cape Playhouse, La Jolla Playhouse, NC Theatre, the Old Globe, Paper Mill Playhouse, Pasadena Playhouse, Pittsburgh CLO, Portland Center Stage, Saint Michael’s Playhouse, TheatreWorks Silicon Valley and others. He is a recipient of Noel Craig, PAMTA, Inland Theatre League, Patté, National Youth Theatre, Billy & Director’s Choice awards.

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RECENT PRODUCTIONS

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EVERY BRILLIANT THING
SUMMER 2024

This surprising and immersive theatrical experience speaks openly about depression, mental illness and suicide. With poignant humor and joy, Every Brilliant Thing takes us on a journey through grief, healing, falling in love, and rediscovering all that life has to give.

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A BIG BAND CHRISTMAS
CHRISTMAS 2023

Swing into the holiday spirit with the D. Ben-jamin’ Big Band Orchestra, singers, swing dancers and new arrangements of Christmas classics by Duane Benjamin. Plus, a special appearance by Santa Clause!

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BOTTLE SHOCK! THE MUSICAL
SUMMER 2023

1976. Before Napa was known for its grapes, a small group of California underdogs took on the establishment. The world of wine would never be the same. Based on the incredible true story of The Judgement of Paris, Bottle Shock is a tale about love and the spirit of rock 'n roll!

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CURIOUS INCIDENT
WINTER 2024

When he falls under suspicion for killing the neighbor’s dog, Christopher is determined to identify the culprit in true Sherlock Holmes style, which leads him on a thrilling journey across London that will change his life forever. A thrilling, heartwarming and uplifting theatrical event! 

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GLORIA & SCROOGE NO MORE!
CHRISTMAS 2023

The World’s Most Beautiful Theme Park is once again transformed with over ten million twinkling lights, one of the largest light displays in North America! Enjoy heart-warming shows like the all-new Wisemen, returning favorites like Scrooge No More! and for the first time since 2019, Gloria!

LA JOLLA PLAYHOUSE GALA
SPRING 2023

The annual La Jolla Playhouse Gala celebrates the arts in its many forms. From the decadent culinary creations presented with the perfect wine pairings to the exquisite design of the cabaret space. Guests were treated to performances from two-time Tony Award-winner, Sutton Foster for one unforgettable evening.

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