On a dark, stormy night in 1993, five men arrive at a cabin for a soap star's surprise birthday party.

Each guest has been asked to dress as the birthday boy’s favorite actress, Joan Crawford, in one of her signature roles… and the results aren't pretty. As they wait for the star, the five "Joans" begin drinking and dishing. Dark secrets emerge and soon there’s one Joan less ... and then another... leaving the remaining Joans, and the audience, asking, “Who Killed Joan Crawford?!” A revival of the Island City Stage (ICS) 2016 hit world premiere, written and directed by ICS associate Artistic Director Michael Leeds.

I reviewed the hysterically funny play. In 2016, and while that production was done quite well, it’s amazing to see how far ICS has come in 10 years. The production values, from the perfect set, to the lighting (thanks to a newly installed $100k lighting system), costumes, and acting is so far superior that there’s barely a flaw in the production. The actors are terrific across the board, although special mention should be made of Jay Eisler, who plays Trick and proves the adage, “There are no small parts, only small actors.” He is large and in charge of the two scenes he’s in. BTW, book seats stage right to get the best views of his acting prowess.

Michael Leeds has added an epilogue that makes the ending much better, and a great surprise. Don’t f*ck with her fellas, get your tickets now, before it sells out.

“Who Killed Joan Crawford”
Island City Stage
2304 N. Dixie Hwy., Wilton Manors
954-928-9800
IslandCityStage.org
Runs through Oct. 25