"Ruthless! The Musical" is a campy show that satirizes Broadway classics and dark Hollywood tales, centering on an ambitious 8-year-old girl who will do anything to get the lead role in her school play.
When it premiered off-Broadway in 1992, with a book and lyrics by Joel Paley and music by Marvin Laird, it was instantly a camp classic. Though originally planned to be staged with an all-female cast, it has become somewhat of a tradition to have the role of Sylvia St. Croix performed by a man simply because Joel Vig gave the best audition for the original 1992 production, further amping up the campiness of the show.
With the encouragement of her flamboyant agent Sylvia St. Croix, Tina’s ambition spirals into murderous territory. The show spoofs iconic works such as “Gypsy,” “The Bad Seed,” and “All About Eve,” blending satire with over-the-top musical numbers. As the plot unfolds, secrets about Tina’s family and her own origins are revealed, leading to twists that lampoon show biz obsession and maternal ambition.
The original Off-Broadway production starred Laura Bell Bundy as Tina. Natalie Portman and Britney Spears were both understudies. The original production was nominated for numerous Drama Desk Awards, scoring a Paley a win for Best Lyrics. The London production in 2002 garnered Musical Stages Magazine Awards for Best Musical Production – Fringe, Best Director - Omar F. Okai, Best Actress in a Musical – Lisa Baird, Best Actor in a Musical – Paul L Martin, Best Writers/Lyricists/Composers of New Work – Paley and Laird.
Island City Stage will kick off its new season in this production of “Ruthless.” Artistic Director, Andy Rogow says, “I originally wanted to do Ruthless back in 2021. Of course, COVID hit and it was put on the back burner. Now seemed like the perfect time to do it as we all need just something silly and fun to laugh at. It's the perfect campy musical for our audience. 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 9-year-old child actress Daisy Tanner, Lindsey Corey, Leah Sessa, Maribeth Graham, Aaron Bower, and Michael Ursua as Sylvia St. Croix. Individual show tickets start at $50. A Mimosa Sunday Brunch on Nov. 16 is $67. Women’s Night at the Theatre, sponsored by Leslie Fine, is Dec. 5 with tickets at $50. For more information, visit islandcitystage.org.
“Death Becomes Her!”
If you thought the movie “Death Becomes Her” was campy, Nicole Halliwell warns you, that you’d better clutch your pearls, because she and her crew of South Florida's superstar queens have turned up the camp dial to 12 for this take on Broadway’s biggest and most outrageous new musical comedy.
I was able to grab a few minutes with Halliwell between swings on a trapeze (don’t ask!) and she told me they’re putting everything into this parody version of “Death Becomes Her.” It’s a true theatrical production, not something you’re going to see in the bars. That’s why they’ve had to book The Gray Box Theatre, honey, this was just too big for a bar. They’ve pulled out all the stops and had to superglue those wigs into place. Joining Nicole in this massive endeavor are Kahtya Tehnsion, Matthew Darren, Coco Lords, Tiara Love Dupree, Trinity Beat, and London Adour. Get there early because there is a pre-show featuring hits from such Broadway shows as “Wicked,” “Hairspray,” “Kinky Boots,” and “Gypsy!” For tickets, go to dragevents.biz or Eventbrite, or go right to the box office. It opens on Dec. 5, for one night only.
