Michael Leeds News

Island City Stage has announced that it will be re-opening with a new season beginning this coming October. 

In Michael Leeds new murder-mystery comedy, on a dark stormy night, five men arrive at a cabin for a famous 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, in more ways than one. As they wait for the star, the five 'Joans' begin drinking and dishing, soon dark secrets emerge and then there's one less Joan ... and then there are four…then three…then…? All this leads to a shocking and unforeseen ending. Featuring: David Bahgat as Gene Harlow, Frank Barnhart as Harvey Goldberg, Ralph Scott as Stewart Fry, David Allen Vargo as Leo Lawrence, Lane Schlicher as David Hoch, Stewart Jamison as Trick Rogers. Performances are August 21st thru the 31st, 2019 at the Columbus Performing Arts Center, 549 Franklin Avenue, Columbus, OH 43215. For tickets, visit: http://www.evolutiontheatre.org/

"Starmaker", the new play by Michael Leeds having its world premiere at Island City Stage imaginatively explores the supernova career of Rock Hudson, an incredibly handsome, but closeted, sailor who craved stardom. Henry Willson was a homely, openly gay, larger than life agent who groomed him and created a star. Hollywood dubbed them "beauty and the beast" but with Rock's looks and Henry's ruthless ambition, they reached the pinnacle of success. Then Henry fell in love with his creation and a life of lies led to final credits neither would have written. 

It's Washington D.C in 1990 where love, politics and art intermingle in Rich Orloff's star-spangled comedy 'Veronica's Position' being given its regional premiere at Island City Stage.

Island City Stage, now the largest producer of non-musical plays in Broward County with over 500 subscribers, gears up for it's 8th season of theatrical works that focus on the LGBT+ community but have a heart and soul that speak universally to all theater fans. Island City Stage has become known as a theater where both straight theater lovers and members of the LGBT+ community feel equally comfortable sharing stories of love and heartbreak and tragedy and comedy.

It's Washinton D.C in 1990 where love, politics and art intermingle in Rich Orloff's star-spangled comedy 'Veronica's Position' being given its regional premiere at Island City Stage.

The York Theatre Company continues the 25th Anniversary of its acclaimed Musicals in Mufti series celebrating the work of the legendary librettist and lyricist Alan Jay Lerner, whose hundredth birthday was August 31, 2018. The series honors one of the creators behind such classics as Brigadoon, Camelot, Love Life, and My Fair Lady.

With a proliferation of pimps, drug dealers and muggers saturating Times Square, business on Broadway was struggling during much of the 1970s, with theatres frequently left empty for long stretches and shows that didn't receive enthusiastic praise from the critics usually shutting down quickly.

The York Theatre Company (James Morgan, Producing Artistic Director; Evans Haile, Executive Director), dedicated to the development of new musicals and rediscovery of musical gems from the past, will present a return engagement of the hit Off-Broadway musical, Enter Laughing: The Musical with book by Joseph Stein, music and lyrics by Stan Daniels, based on the play Enter Laughing by Joseph Stein from the novel by Carl Reiner, produced in association with Riki Kane Larimer and Alene Daniels. Enter Laughing: The Musical returns to kick off The York's year-long 50th Anniversary Celebration at The York Theatre Company at Saint Peter's (entrance on East 54th Street, just east of Lexington Avenue).

Opening the 2019 winter series is Carmelina, with music by Burton Lane, lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner, additional lyrics by Barry Harman, and book by Joseph Stein and Alan Jay Lerner. Performances began Saturday afternoon, January 26, 2019 and continue for 11 performances only through February 3, 2019. The show officially opened last night and BroadwayWorld was there. Check out the photos below!

Celebrating the centennial of Alan Jay Lerner! The York Theatre Company (James Morgan, Producing Artistic Director; Evans Haile, Executive Director), dedicated to the development of new musicals and rediscovery of musical gems from the past, enters the new year with the 25th Anniversary of its acclaimed Musicals in Mufti series celebrating the work of the legendary librettist and lyricist Alan Jay Lerner,

Celebrating the centennial of Alan Jay Lerner! The York Theatre Company enters the new year with the 25th Anniversary of its acclaimed Musicals in Mufti series celebrating the work of the legendary librettist and lyricist Alan Jay Lerner,

2018 has given South Florida a fun cornucopia of live theatre, from the Southeastern premiere of Freaky Friday at Slow Burn to the national tour of Hamilton at the Broward Center. Since 2019 is already well underway, here is a look at what South Florida theatre has to offer this year.

Celebrating the centennial of Alan Jay Lerner! The York Theatre Company enters the new year with the 25th Anniversary of its acclaimed Musicals in Mufti series celebrating the work of the legendary librettist and lyricist Alan Jay Lerner, whose hundredth birthday was August 31, 2018. The series honors one of the creators behind such classics as Brigadoon, Camelot, Love Life, and My Fair Lady.

Yes, Bette Midler & Barry Manilow have decided to do a concert together and they're doing it at Island City Stage! Or rather, Associate Artistic Director Michael Leeds imagines what it would be like if they did in his new show 'Bette and Barry: From Bathhouse to Broadway'. Picture all those memorable songs like "Wind Beneath My Wings, "Copacabana" "The Rose" and "I Write The Songs" sung by Bette & Barry and backed by the legendary Harlettes. "It's A Miracle" you say. "Could It Be Magic" you ask. Bring your "Friends" and find out!

Yes, Bette Midler & Barry Manilow have decided to do a concert together and they're doing it at Island City Stage! Or rather, Associate Artistic Director Michael Leeds imagines what it would be like if they did in his new show 'Bette and Barry: From Bathhouse to Broadway'. Picture all those memorable songs like "Wind Beneath My Wings, "Copacabana" "The Rose" and "I Write The Songs" sung by Bette & Barry and backed by the legendary Harlettes. "It's A Miracle" you say. "Could It Be Magic" you ask. Bring your "Friends" and find out!

The South Florida Silver Palm Theatre Awards, founded eleven years ago to honor theatrical excellence in South Florida, has announced that this year it will present the coveted award to 30 individuals and organizations.

City Theatre and Island City Stage are proud to present SHORTS GONE WILD 6 performing August 2 - 26, 2018 at Island City Stage in Wilton Manors. This all-new production marks the 6th season of South Florida's hottest LGBT-themed short play festival.

City Theatre and Island City Stage are proud to present Shorts Gone Wild 6 from August 2 - 26, 2018 at Island City Stage in Wilton Manors. This all-new production marks the sixth season of South Florida's hottest LGBT+ themed short play festival.

Themes of love and loss are at the heart of the new play, 'Mr. Parker' by Michael McKeever being given its world premiere at Island City Stage.