SAVE THE DATE – November 6 – December 7, 2025
Buckle up for Ruthless! The Musical, the hilariously twisted comedy where the spotlight can be deadly, launching Island City Stage’s 14th South Florida Season on November 6. 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! This Off-Broadway cult favorite is a deliciously campy satire packed with sharp wit, outrageous twists, and over-the-top characters. The show will run through December 7.
“When people ask me about Ruthless! The Musical, I say, ‘Imagine a mash up of The Bad Seed, All About Eve and Gypsy,’ and they immediately start laughing,” said Rogow. “Every time Ruthless! The Musical has been produced in South Florida it has won Carbonell Awards because the roles in it are gold mines for musical theatre performers. Island City Stage has been fortunate to assemble a truly gifted cast chock full of award-winning South Florida musical theatre stars.”
Island City Stage’s production of Ruthless! The Musical stars nine-year-old child actress Daisy Tanner (Tina Denmark), Lindsey Corey (Judy/Ginger), Leah Sessa (Louise/Eve), Maribeth Graham (Miss Thorn/Reporter), Michael Ursua (Sylvia St. Croix) and Aaron Bower (Lita).
Daisy Tanner will be making her Wilton Manors debut at Island City Stage! She made her first appearance on stage at just 3 months old in Tony Finstrom’s Wave Your Flag opposite the legendary Jan McArt.
Also making her Island City Stage debut is multiple Silver Palm Award and Carbonell Award-winner Lindsey Corey. Corey’s performance highlights include the pre-Broadway engagement tour of A Wonderful World, Jenna in Waitress (Actors’ Playhouse), Nancy in Oliver! (Maltz Jupiter Theatre), Aimee in The Humans (Palm Beach Dramaworks), Sally Bowles in Cabaret (Zoetic Stage) and Sukie in The Witches of Eastwick (Slow Burn Theatre Company.
Leah Sessa is thrilled to be back at Island City Stage where last she was last seen playing Vivenne in PULP. Sessa is a Carbonell and Silver Palm recipient most recently seen playing Alice in Thinking Cap’s rock production of Lizzie!.
Maribeth Graham is an actor, singer and lyricist who divides her time and toothbrushes between South Florida and New York City. Her New York Off-Broadway credits include Secrets Every Smart Traveler Should Know (Cast Album), Romantic Fools (Lion Theatre) and, Chatting with the Tea Party (Robert Moss Theatre).
Michael Ursua returns to Island City Stage after portraying Barry Manilow in the theatre’s production of Bette and Barry: From Bathhouse to Broadway. He’s also performed as Albin/Zaza in La Cage Aux Folles in productions for both the Arizona Broadway Theatre and the MNM Theatre Co.
Aaron Bower has performed all over South Florida and traveled the US and Europe in five national tours, most recently as Marmee in Little Women.
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 January 8 – February 8; Everything Beautiful Happens at Night by Ted Malawer from April 2 – 26; Light Switch by Dave Osmundsen from May 21 – June 14 and Eureka Day by Jonathan Spector from August 20 – September 20.
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.
