GREY GARDENS And More Set for Island City Stage 15th Anniversary Season

Island City Stage, an award-winning theatre company, will celebrate its 15th anniversary season with a signature camp revival, a nostalgic Broadway musical, a world premiere of a biting political satire by a South Florida artist, an off-Broadway study in murderous mayhem, and a timely classic play. 

"As we approach our 15th season, I am reminded about why the stories we tell are so important,” said Andy Rogow, artistic director of Island City Stage. “15 years ago, marriage equality was just being made legal, acceptance of LGBTQ+ community members in high schools, workplaces and religious institutions was becoming the norm rather than the outlier, and it became possible to build a theatre company rooted in the LGBTQ+ experience. Fast forward to today as LGBTQ+ acceptance is trending downward and public policies are actively trying to silence and censor our stories and existence. Island City Stage provides a vital refuge and megaphone that encourages our community and allies to find joy and renewal in sitting together in a dark space and sharing together in the delight and power of the stories we share.”

Since its inception, Island City Stage has been committed to sharing stories of universal interest and engaging diverse audiences with entertaining and inspiring productions and programs, often exploring the LGBTQ+ culture. 

ISLAND CITY STAGE'S 2026-27 SEASON:

Who Killed Joan Crawford?

Directed by Michael Leeds

October 1 - 25, 2026

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 Island City Stage's 2016 hit world premiere.

Grey Gardens (The Musical)

Music by Scott Frankel | Lyrics by Michael Korie | Book by Doug Wright

Directed by Andy Rogow

January 14 - February 14, 2027

Based on the 1975 American documentary film of the same name by Albert and David Maysles, this musical follows Big Edie and Little Edie Bouvier Beale, the eccentric aunt and cousin of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. Once bright names on the social register, now they live in Grey Gardens, an East Hampton estate overrun by cats and plagued by memories. This often haunting and at-times hilarious musical tracks the two faded socialites from life of the party to isolation, from glamor to grime. An investigation into a very singular mother/daughter relationship, Grey Gardens brings a slice of upper-crust history to vibrant life.

Pegged (World Premiere)

Written by Hannah Benitez | Directed by Andy Rogow

March 4 - 28, 2027

After an attempt at pegging goes wrong, a hetero couple's life collapses into chaos. A local political scandal may have more to do with their sex lives than they realize, testing the boundaries of their newly fissured relationship in this world premiere jet-black political comedy by South Florida-born Latina writer, Hannah Benitez (Gringolandia, For Closure!, Dike)

Messy White Gays

Written by Drew Droege | Directed by Christopher Michaels
May 20 - June 13, 2027

It's Sunday morning in Hell's Kitchen. Brecken and Caden have just murdered their boyfriend and stuffed his body into a Jonathan Adler credenza. Unfortunately, they've also invited friends over for brunch. And to make matters worse… they're out of limes! Feel bad for them! In the super-satirical Messy White Gays, writer Drew Droege (Bright Colors and Bold Patterns), shines a harsh overhead light on the gaping pores of over-privileged White Gaydom, revealing what happens when throuples crumble, neighbors bicker, and rich and p(r)etty clash with hot and dumb. 

The Lion in Winter

by James Goldman | Directed by Michael Leeds

July 8 - August 1, 2027

Sibling rivalry, adultery, and dungeons. The Lion in Winter is a modern-day classic. Comedic in tone yet dramatic in action, the play tells the story of the Plantagenet family, who are locked in a free-for-all of competing ambitions to inherit a kingdom. The queen, and wealthiest woman in the world, Eleanor of Aquitaine, has been kept in prison since raising an army against her husband, King Henry II. Centering around the inner conflicts of the royal family as they fight over both a kingdom and King Henry's paramour during the Christmas of 1183, as Eleanor says, “Every family has its ups and downs,” and this royal family is no exception.

As part of its commitment to nurturing up-and-coming talent, Island City Stage will be bringing back its “Comedy After Hours” series which features late night performances from South Florida's best stand-up comedians who will bring their uniquely warped versions of reality and offbeat humor to the theatre. In addition, ICS will introduce a reading series of new plays written by playwrights around the country. More details will be announced at a later date.

Individual show tickets start at $50 per show. This season will offer two Flexpass options. The Flexpass5 ($250) 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 (a $50 savings). The Flexpass3 ($150) 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 (a $30 savings). Discounts are available for groups.

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