Events: Theater
American Rhapsody
- A World Premiere
- By Michael McKeever
- Directed by Stuart Meltzer
Over the course of some 60 years starting in 1969 and ending in 2032 the Cabot family tries to keep up with the world as it evolves around them. Epic in scope yet intimate by nature, American Rhapsody weaves the lives of its main characters through the ever-changing landscape of the American zeitgeist as it speeds through the last half of the 20th century into the turbulence of today and well beyond: civil unrest, the feminist movement, the greed of the ’80s, the horrors of 9/11, the 2008 financial crisis, same-sex marriage, the COVID-19 pandemic. As the family evolves into a new America, so does its cultural identity as members of other races and sexual orientations marry into and redefine what the family thought it was.
Location
Adrienne Arsht Center - Carnival Studio Theater
1300 Biscayne Blvd,
Miami,
FL
33132
(Map)
Anna in the Tropics
A stunning and evocative Pulitzer-Prize winning drama by Nilo Cruz.
It’s 1929 and we are in Florida at a Cuban–American cigar factory; cigars are still rolled by hand and “lectors” are hired to educate and entertain the workers. When a new lector enters the scene and begins to read aloud Tolstoy’s Anna Karenina, he unwittingly becomes a catalyst in the lives of his avid listeners and suddenly the lives of the workers begin to parallel the novel. Old traditions and new ways collide while longing, love, and betrayal spark a volatile flame that signals the end of an era.
Why Anna in the Tropics?
Anna in the Tropics is a story that belongs to this city. It was written by a Miami playwright, it first premiered at the New Theater in Coral Gables, it was awarded a Pulitzer, and now, for the first time ever, Nilo Cruz himself will direct the play. Nilo and his achievements bring a huge sense of pride to our community, and we are honored to continue collaborating with him and call him a dear friend. Anna in the Tropics is a beautiful balance of a strong story with poetic storytelling that is moving, sexy, heartbreaking and spectacular. – Michel Hausmann, Artistic Director
Location
Colony Theater
1040 Lincoln Road,
Miami Beach,
FL
33139
(Map)
Island City Stage Presents “Rotterdam” by Jon Brittain
Island City Stage presents Rotterdam by Jon Brittain, a modern comedy about gender, sexuality, and being a long way from home. Rotterdam runs from January 19 - February 19.
Show more >>
Alice wants to come out as a lesbian. Her girlfriend Fiona wants to start living as a man. In Island City Stage's new production of Rotterdam by Jon Brittain, audiences journey to find out what happens next in this modern comedy about gender, sexuality, and being a long way from home. Rotterdamruns from January 19 - February 19.
Rotterdam, a new play from Jon Brittain, co-creator of Margaret Thatcher, Queen of Soho, writer of What Would Spock Do?and The Sexual Awakening of Peter Mayo, is a moving and sensitive exploration of gender identity and relationships. It shares the story of lesbian couple Alice, who is struggling to come out to her parents, and Fiona, who tells Alice that she has always identified as a man.
Directed by Michael Leeds and co-produced by Sue Wilder,Rotterdam stars Suzanne Ankrum as Alice and Autumn Kioti Horneas Fiona. It also features Abbie Fricke as Lelani (in her Island City debut performance) and Robert Koutras as Josh.
Suzanne Ankrum's recent regional credits include Palm Beach Dramaworks production of A Streetcar Named Desire, WAM Theatre's Emilie: La Marquise du Chatelet..., Majestic Theater's Crimes of the Heart, New Century Theatre's The How and the Why, Clarence Brown Theatre's Woyzeck, The Merry Wives of Windsor, Tartuffe,and A Christmas Carol, and Richmond Shakespeare Festival's Twelfth Night and Henry IV, Part 2. She's also appeared on Netflix's Orange is the New Black and has performed in several workshop productions from Palm Beach Dramaworks, Theatre Lab, Hartford Stage, Ivoryton Playhouse and HartBeat Ensemble.
South Florida artist and actor Autumn Kioti Horne has performed with Theatre Lab, Zoetic Stage, GableStage, Florida Stage, Caldwell Theatre, and others. In NYC, they originated the roles of Cassandra in The Hive, Veronica in She Calls Me Firefly, and others. Their interdisciplinary art has been presented in galleries/spaces throughout the U.S. and abroad including La Mama, Dixon Place, The Queens Museum and Last Frontier, and more. They have also appeared in award-winning films at Lincoln Center, Art Basel, Sci-Fi London, Palm Springs Film Festival, and more. When not onstage, they run an environmental art/education/justice program Wildness is Necessary.
Along with its Season 11 lineup, Island City Stage will be bringing back its introspective "Behind the Red Curtain" free public forum series, launched last year as an anniversary initiative to address the stories and issues that inspire its shows. Providing insight to Rotterdam, Island City Stage will present Living the Truth - Seeing the Trans Community Through a Different Lens" on Monday, January 9, at 6:30 p.m. This forum will educate and inspire others regarding how to interact with transgender, nonbinary, and gender-diverse individuals. The discussion will open hearts and minds by sharing personal triumphs, breaking down barriers, understanding fact vs. fiction and reflecting on personal biases.
Creating quality professional theatrical experiences focused on the LGBT+ community for a universal audience, Island City Stage's 11th South Florida season offers thought-provoking productions that explore bittersweet longing, gender questions, loneliness, the ins and outs of friendship, the magic of random human connection and ethnic conflict within the generational divide. Upcoming shows include I Wanna F@#king Tear You Apart by Morgan Gould from March 2 - April 2; Tracy Jones by Stephen Kaplan from May 18 - June 18 and Springfield Pride Commissioned by Island City Stage from August 3 - September 3.
Rotterdam set sponsors are Doug Pew and Don Croxton, costume sponsors are Thomas Nichols and Dan Chadburn and lighting and sound sponsor is Scott Bennett.
Tickets for Rotterdam start at $40. Enjoy a special Mimosa Sunday sponsored by Murl Casey on January 29 for $55 that includes a light bites pre-reception and a post-show talk back. A special Women's Night at the Theatre will take place on Friday, February 3 with a 7 p.m. reception with light bites and beverages followed by the show.
For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit website, call or email. Follow Island City Stage on Facebook at facebook.com/IslandCityStageFL and on Instagram at @islandcitystage1.
Location
Island City Stage
2304 N. Dixie Highway,
Fort Lauderdale,
FL
33305
(Map)
Rotterdam
Alice wants to come out as a lesbian. Her girlfriend Fiona wants to start living as a man. What happens next is a bittersweet comedy about gender, sexuality, and being a long way from home. A new play from the co-creator of Margaret Thatcher, Queen of Soho and writer of What Would Spock Do? And The Sexual Awakening of Peter Mayo.
Performances run Thursday to Sunday.
Location
Island City Stage
2304 N. Dixie Hwy,
Wilton Manors,
FL
33305
(Map)
We Will Not Be Silent
By David Meyers
Preview performance: Friday, January 6.
Risking everything to stand up for social justice, German college student Sophie Scholl courageously led a major act of civil disobedience against Hitler and his fascist regime. Scholl’s moral strength is tested while being interrogated for her crimes, leading her to question whether to save her own life or continue her righteous crusade. Based on true events, We Will Not Be Silent is a provocative and timely new work that examines the role of ordinary people in extraordinary times.
Location
GableStage at the Biltmore
1200 Anastasia Avenue,
Coral Gables,
FL
33134
(Map)
Escape to Margaritaville
Book by Greg Garcia and Mike O’Malley.
Music and Lyrics by Jimmy Buffett.
Escape to Margaritaville is a musical comedy that features both original songs and the most-loved Jimmy Buffett classics, including “Cheeseburger in Paradise”, “Margaritaville,” “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere,” “Fins,” “Volcano,” and many more. With a book by Emmy Award winner Greg Garcia (“My Name is Earl,” “Raising Hope”) and Emmy nominee Mike O’Malley (“Survivor’s Remorse,” “Shameless”), this engaging fun-loving show is all about the choices we make–and the people we become–once we’ve had a change in latitude.
Location
Actors' Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre
280 Miracle Mile,
Coral Gables,
FL
33134
(Map)
Ubu Pandemia by Abel Gonzalez Melo
Amid an unprecedented social crisis, King Ubu is forced to return to the island he founded, the mythical Uba, whose people have rebelled in response to widespread poverty. To top it off, a hitherto unknown pandemic is overrunning the world at lightning speed and threatening to spread onto the island. Convinced of the residents' immunity, Ubu launches an unusual campaign to build up the country in the midst of the disaster, not realizing his strategy will prompt a fateful outcome. Written by Abel Gonzalez Melo and directed by Mario Ernesto Sanchez.
Location
Miami-Dade County Auditorium
2901 West Flagler St,
Miami,
FL
33135
(Map)
Wicked
Feb 15, 2023 to Mar 14, 2023 - various times - English
So much happened before Dorothy dropped in.
WICKED, the Broadway sensation, looks at what happened in the Land of Oz but from a different angle. Long before Dorothy arrives, there is another young woman, born with emerald-green skin smart, fiery, misunderstood and possessing an extraordinary talent. When she meets a bubbly blonde who is exceptionally popular, their initial rivalry turns into the unlikeliest of friendships until the world decides to call one "good" and the other one "wicked."
From the first electrifying note to the final breathtaking moment, WICKED the untold true story of the Witches of Oz transfixes audiences with its wildly inventive story that USA Today cheers is "a complete triumph! An original musical that will make you laugh, cry and think."
Location
Adrienne Arsht Center
1300 Biscayne Blvd,
Miami,
FL
33132
(Map)
Company: Book by George Furth Music & Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
From musical theatre's most renowned composer, Company is largely regarded as a trailblazer of the dark-comedy, modern-musical genre, and the winner of six Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Score, Best Lyrics and Best Book. On the night of his 35th birthday, confirmed bachelor, Robert, contemplates his unmarried state.
General Admission $15, Students & Seniors $10.
Location
Louise O. Gerrits Theater
25 NE 2 Street, 8th Floor,
Miami,
FL
33132
(Map)
A Doll's House, Part 2
Feb 24, 2023 to Mar 19, 2023 - various times - English
By Lucas Hnath
Preview performance: Friday, February 24
As a door slams in 1879 Norway, a young wife and mother leaves behind her family, freeing herself from the shackles of traditional societal constraints. Now, 15 years later, that same door opens to reveal Nora, a changed woman with an incredibly awkward favor to ask the people who she abandoned. Lucas Hnath’s bitingly funny sequel to Ibsen’s revolutionary masterpiece unfolds in a series of bristling stand-offs that reveal in Nora’s world, much like our own, behind every opinion there is a person, and a slamming door isn’t just an end, but also the chance for a new beginning. Starring Rachel Burttram, Brendan Powers and Elizabeth Dimon.
Location
GableStage at the Biltmore
1200 Anastasia Avenue,
Coral Gables,
FL
33134
(Map)
I Wanna F*#%ing Tear You Apart
Samantha and Leo are a team best friends, roommates, allies against the world until a new friend enters and upends their co-dependent world of mutual self-loathing and Grey's Anatomy marathons. A play about the nature of friendships in all of its f@#ked up forms, with a special shout-out to the kind of love that sometimes looks like a lot of rage.
Performances run Thursday to Sunday.
Location
Island City Stage
2304 N. Dixie Hwy,
Wilton Manors,
FL
33305
(Map)
Bright Star
Music, Book and Story by Steve Martin
Music, Lyrics and Story by Edie Brickell
Inspired by a true story and featuring the Tony®-nominated score by Steve Martin and Edie Brickell, Broadway’s Bright Star tells a sweeping tale of love and redemption set against the rich backdrop of the American South in the 1920s and ’40s. With beautiful melodies and powerfully moving characters, the story unfolds as a rich tapestry of deep emotion. An uplifting theatrical journey that holds you tightly in its grasp, Bright Star is as refreshingly genuine as it is daringly hopeful.
Location
Actors' Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre
280 Miracle Mile,
Coral Gables,
FL
33134
(Map)
Marisol: By José Rivera
Winner of the 1993 Obie Award. An apocalyptic urban fantasy which urges society to "wake up" and somehow find a way to recover the long-lost and much-needed compassion for our fellow man, as this is the only way to save our world.
General Admission $12, Students & Seniors $5.
Location
Louise O. Gerrits Theater
25 NE 2 Street, 8th Floor,
Miami,
FL
33132
(Map)
El Huracán
Apr 14, 2023 to May 14, 2023 - various times - English
By Charise Castro Smith
Directed by Dámaso Rodríguez
Preview performance: Friday, April 14
As Hurricane Andrew threatens Miami, a mother and daughter ready themselves for the storm, but Abuela takes shelter in a world of memory, music, and magic. A powerful tale of family and forgiveness, El Huracán, written by Miami native and recent Academy Award winner Charise Castro Smith (Disney’s Encanto), reveals what can be rebuilt in the aftermath of life’s most devastating tempests and what can never be replaced. A Florida Premiere, inspired by Shakespeare’s The Tempest.
Location
GableStage at the Biltmore
1200 Anastasia Avenue,
Coral Gables,
FL
33134
(Map)
New Playwrights’ Festival
The New Playwrights' Festival features original short plays written by current New World School of the Arts high school and college students. The festival allows young student playwrights from both high school and college the unique opportunity to experience what is like to workshop an original play.
General Admission $5.
Location
Louise O. Gerrits Theater
25 NE 2 Street, 8th Floor,
Miami,
FL
33132
(Map)
Pippin
Pippin is the story of one young man's journey to be extraordinary.
There's magic to do when a prince learns the true meaning of glory, love and war in Stephen Schwartz's iconic and unforgettable musical masterpiece.
With an infectiously unforgettable score from four-time Grammy winner, three-time Oscar winner and musical theatre giant, Stephen Schwartz, Pippin is the story of one young man's journey to be extraordinary. Winner of four 2013 Tony Awards including Best Musical Revival, this updated circus-inspired version of Pippin continues to captivate and appeal to the young at heart throughout the world.
Location
Pembroke Pines Theatre of the Perfroming Arts
17195 Sheridan Street,
Pembroke Pines,
FL
33331
(Map)
College Studio Musical
Free and open to the public.
Location
New World School of the Arts, Studio 5902
25 NE 2 Street, 9th Floor,
Miami,
FL
33132
(Map)
Ain't Too Proud – The Life and Times of The Temptations
May 9, 2023 to May 14, 2023 - various times - English
Ain't Too Proud – The Life and Times of The Temptations is the electrifying, new smash-hit Broadway musical that follows The Temptations extraordinary journey from the streets of Detroit to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. With their signature dance moves and silky-smooth harmonies, they rose to the top of the charts. They created an amazing 42 Top 10 hits, with 14 reaching No. 1.
Show more >>
Nominated for 12 Tony® Awards and the winner of the 2019 Tony Award for Best Choreography, Ain't Too Proud tells the thrilling story of brotherhood, family, loyalty and betrayal, as the group's personal and political conflicts threatened to tear them apart during a decade of civil unrest in America.
Written by three-time Obie Award winner Dominique Morisseau, directed by two-time Tony Award winner Des McAnuff (Jersey Boys), and featuring the Tony-winning choreography of Sergio Trujillo (Jersey Boys, On Your Feet!), the unforgettable story of this legendary quintet is set to the beat of the group's treasured hits, including "My Girl," "Just My Imagination," "Get Ready," "Papa Was a Rolling Stone" and so many more.
Location
Adrienne Arsht Center
1300 Biscayne Blvd,
Miami,
FL
33132
(Map)
365 Days: By Suzan-Lori Parks
On November 13, 2002, Suzan-Lori Parks got an idea to write a play every day for a year. She began that very day, finishing one year later. This collection of 365 impeccably crafted pieces, each with its own distinctive characters and dramatic power is a complete work by an artist responding to her world each day.
General Admission $12, Students & Seniors $5.
Location
Louise O. Gerrits Theater
25 NE 2 Street, 8th Floor,
Miami,
FL
33132
(Map)
Proof
By David Auburn.
David Auburn’s Proof is an elegant and engaging story of passion, genius, and family bonds. The story combines elements of mystery and surprise with old-fashioned storytelling to provide a compelling and entertaining theatrical experience. This winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Drama will receive its first professional production in Miami in over 20 years.
Location
Actors' Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre
280 Miracle Mile,
Coral Gables,
FL
33134
(Map)
Tracy Jones by Stephen Kaplan
Tracy Jones is throwing a party and she's invited every woman in the world also named Tracy Jones to the festivities. And as she sits alone for over an hour, nursing her Diet Coke, wondering if any other Tracy Joneses will show up, epic loneliness is about to be tested beyond anything Tracy ever imagined.
Performances run Thursday to Sunday.
Location
Island City Stage
2304 N. Dixie Hwy,
Wilton Manors,
FL
33305
(Map)
Defending the Cavewoman
By Emma Peirson
Whose cave is it anyway? A raucous mid-life existential crisis unfolds as Defending the Cavewoman digs deep into the caves of the female psyche and sends the male of the species scattering in all directions, by debunking the stereotypical myths about how women think. Written by Emma Peirson, Defending the Cavewoman is a tongue-in-cheek, affectionate look at the quirks, foibles and idiosyncrasies of both men and women, from the modern Female perspective. Don’t miss the North American premiere of this wild one-woman comedy about two completely different creatures desperately trying to co-exist on one tiny plant…sharing one bathroom!
Location
Actors' Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre
280 Miracle Mile,
Coral Gables,
FL
33134
(Map)
Springfield Pride
Imagined from today's headlines, a story of politics, tense alliances, and deep conflict. When a liberal, cis-gender politician's off-record comments about Black Lives Matter become public and don't at all match his public, social justice persona, can he still remain the Grand Marshal of Springfield's Gay Pride Parade happening in just three days?
A new play about the divisions within the LGBTQ+ community and the growing ethnic, race, gender, and generational divide. As the movement is challenged from within, can its complex agenda and its traditional partnerships and social justice alliances still find a unified message? Is such a thing even possible today, especially when the clock is ticking and strong voices are in the room?
Performances run Thursday to Sunday.
Location
Island City Stage
2304 N. Dixie Hwy,
Wilton Manors,
FL
33305
(Map)
