"Ruthless! The Musical" is a campy show from the early ‘90s that satirizes Broadway classics and dark Hollywood tales, but in the hands of Andy Rogow and the talented cast at Island City Stage, it is as fresh and entertaining as it was when it opened off-Broadway nearly 50 years ago.

There have been a few updates to the original production, and Island City has incorporated those to make the show even fresher, and as I found out from my Gen Z theater partner, some of the references are now references within references, such as a back and forth that mentions Tina-Louise, in which older folks laughed at in reference to the actress from “Gilligan’s Island” and my friend got as a reference to characters from “Bob’s Burgers.”

The plot centers on an ambitious 8-year-old girl Tina Denmark (a stellar performance by 9-year-old Daisy Tanner), who will do anything to get the lead role in her school play. As the plot unfolds, secrets about Tina’s family and her own origins are revealed, leading to twists that lampoon showbiz obsession and maternal ambition. Michael Ursa, as Sylvia St. Croix, her manager, is simply fabulous! Lindsey Corey is a delight as Tina’s mother, Judy, but not quite bitchy enough as Ginger DelMarco in the second act. Aaron Bower needs to be a bit more over-the-top to keep up with the others, but she sells her solo well. Leah Sessa is terrific in a dual role, and Maribeth Graham is everybody’s third-grade teacher.

Eric Alsford is the music director, and, from my seat, I couldn’t see how many musicians were playing, but it felt like a full orchestra. Ardean Landhuis and Michael Madigan do a fantastic job of making the relatively small stage look like a suburban tract house and luxury New York City duplex without it ever seeming cramped. The show is selling out quickly. I wouldn’t wait to book your tickets for this show.

“Ruthless! The Musical”
Through Dec. 6 at Island City Stage
2304 N. Dixie Hwy., Wilton Manors
IslandCityStage.org