Island City Stage Opens 14th Season With Killer Reviews; Ruthless! The Musical

South Florida Sun Times

Nov 26, 2025

Audiences And Critics Are Raving About Island City Stage’s Production Of Ruthless! The Musical, The Killer Comedy Opener To Its 14th South Florida Season! Meet Eight-Year-Old Tina Denmark—A Pint-Sized Diva Who Knows She Was Destined To Play Pippi Longstocking In Her School Musical And If She Has To Knock Off The Competition To Get The Part? Well, That’s Showbiz!

Comedy, ambition, stage mothers, child stars and murder … it’s all here where the spotlight can be deadly. Island City Stage’s Artistic Director Andy Rogow describes Ruthless! The Musical as “a mash up of The Bad Seed, All About Eve and Gypsy.”

“This by far was the best show I have ever seen! Absolutely spectacular cast!" - Frank Beri

"I could not stop laughing. It is the campiest show ever!" - James Stanton

“Director Andy Rogow keeps the pacing crisp and the comic timing sharp. His staging is brisk, knowing and perfectly in tune with the show’s satirical bite. The production design complements the madness: a bubblegum-bright set, witty costumes and clean musical direction all blend to create polished chaos amidst the greasepaint and tap shoes.” - John Lariviere of South Florida Insider

Ruthless! The Musical (book and lyrics by Joel Paley and music by Marvin Laird) opened at the Players Theatre in New York City’s Greenwich Village on March 13, 1992, and ran for 342 performances. The lead role of Tina was originally played by nine-year-old Laura Bell Bundy, best known today as a highly successful country music artist and TV, stage and screen actress. The show won the 1993 New York Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Off-Broadway Musical. The show opened in Los Angeles in 1993, in Miami in 1995 and in London in 2002, and has been a favorite production of many other venues since then.

Island City Stage’s production of Ruthless! The Musical stars nine-year-old child actress Daisy Tanner (Tina Denmark) making her Wilton Manors debut, Lindsey Corey (Judy/Ginger), Leah Sessa (Louise/Eve), Maribeth Graham (Miss Thorn/Reporter), Michael Ursua (Sylvia St. Croix) and Aaron Bower (Lita).

Ruthless! The Musical is co-produced by Robert Korn and Al Menendez; Set Sponsor is Glenn Goldberg; Lights and Sound Sponsor is Scott Bennett; Costume Sponsors are Walter Boyd and David Santee; Talent Sponsors are Bill Sandrik and Henry Smith and Musician Sponsor is The Jim Stepp & Peter Zimmer Fund at The Our Fund Foundation.

Don’t miss this Off-Broadway cult favorite, a deliciously satisfying satire packed with sharp wit, outrageous twists and over-the-top characters. The show runs through Sunday, December 7th.

Individual show tickets start at $50. A Mimosa Sunday Brunch sponsored by Murl Casey, Chuck David, Chuck Jackson & Steve Laskin will take place Sunday, November 16th with tickets priced at $67. Women’s Night at the Theatre, sponsored by Leslie Fine, takes place on Friday, December 5th with tickets at $50. The show runs for two hours with an intermission.

Island City Stage will also be offering two Flexpass options this season. The Flexpass5 ($225) offers five tickets that can be used all for one show or one for every show (no processing fees) and $5 off additional tickets purchased. The Flexpass3 ($136) offers three tickets that can be used all for one show or one for every show (no processing fees) and $5 off additional tickets purchased. Discounts are available for groups.

From twisted tales to touching human stories, Island City Stage's upcoming season invites you to expect the unexpected. Upcoming bold productions, each delivering unexpected twists, inventive storytelling, and unforgettable theatrical moments include The Little Foxes by Lillian Hellman from Thursday, January 8th, 2026 – Sunday, February 8th, 2026; Everything Beautiful Happens at Night by Ted Malawer from Thursday, April 2nd, 2026 - Sunday, April 26th, 2026; Light Switch by Dave Osmundsen from Thursday, May 21st, 2026 - Sunday, June 14th, 2026 and Eureka Day by Jonathan Spector from Thursday, August 20th, 2026 - Sunday, September 20th, 2026.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit: www.islandcitystage.org - Call: (954) 928-9800. Or email: boxoffice@islandcitystage.org. Follow Island City Stage on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/IslandCityStageFL - And on Instagram at: @islandcitystage1.

About Island City Stage

Founded in 2012, Island City Stage is a professional theater committed to sharing stories of universal interest, engaging diverse audiences with entertaining, challenging and inspiring productions and programs, often exploring the LGBTQ+ culture. These shows are brought to life on stage through the talents of professional artists whose credits include Broadway, Off Broadway, national tours, major regional theaters, film and television. Island City Stage offers an intimate setting with six rows of stadium seating to foster a feeling of inclusion and participation in each theatrical event. Island City Stage is a 501 (c) 3 NonProfit Organization. It is located at 2304 North Dixie Highway, Wilton Manors, Florida 33305.

For tickets and more information, please call: (954) 928-9800. Or visit: www.islandcitystage.org.