Produced in Conjunction with The Miss Florida F.I. Pageant, This Special Event Will Precede the Opening of Pageant in October…
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (September 14, 2022) – Island City Stage, creating quality professional theatrical experiences focused on the LGBT+ community for a universal audience, has announced its 11th South Florida Season, and with it, the return of its popular Behind the Red Curtain community forum series. On September 28, from 6 – 7:30 p.m., the theater company, together with the Miss Florida F.I. (Florida Impersonator) Pageant, will present “Secrets of a Beauty Queen: No Tea, No Shade,” an entertaining, insightful and sometimes outrageous peek into the world of drag beauty pageants. This program will set the celebratory mood for Island City Stage’s October 20 opening of the glittering, grandiose and glorious comedy Pageant.
Moderated by Alyson Thomas, president and CEO of the Miss Florida F.I. Pageant and a seasoned professional in the art form of female impersonation, “Secrets of a Beauty Queen: No Tea, No Shade,” will feature stories from Velvet Lenore, Miss Florida F.I. at Large 2021-2022 and Joanna James, Miss Florida F.I. Supreme 2021-2022. Now celebrating its 50th anniversary, The Miss Florida F. I. Pageant, recognized as one of the top five national pageants, will take place October 2 and 3 at The Venue/The Manor Fort Lauderdale. It attracts some of the top female impersonators, film, TV and fashion stars from across the nation and beyond. Drinks and light bites for Island City Stage’s community forum will be courtesy of Pub on the Drive.
Pageant is Miss America meets RuPaul’s Drag Race! This hilarious musical comedy sends up the once cherished traditions of beauty finalists in bathing suit and ball gown competitions, while contestants compete for the title of “Miss Glamouresse.” And who wins the crown? The audience decides! Judges selected from the audience at each performance pick the winner ensuring that no performance is the same – and the on-stage suspense is real! This opening production stars an ensemble cast including Conor Walton, Michael Scott Ross, Matthew Buffalo, Luckner Bruno, Marcus Davis, Kevin Veloz and Larry Buzzeo. It is directed by Carbonell Award-winning choreographer/director Ron Hutchins with musical direction from Michael Ursua.
Last year, in honor of its 10th anniversary season, Island City Stage created the Behind the Red Curtain public forum series to engage patrons in timely, relevant issues that are both addressed in its productions and affect the South Florida community.
In addition to Pageant, Island City Stage’s 11th anniversary season will feature Rotterdam by Jon Brittain from January 19 – February 19; 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.
Tickets for “Secrets of a Beauty Queen: No Tea, No Shade,” are $10 each and include one cocktail courtesy of Pub on the Drive. RSVP at islandcitystage.org.
For Island City Stage season and individual show tickets, please visit islandcitystage.org, call (954) 928-9800 or email md@islandcitystage.org. Follow Island City Stage on Facebook at facebook.com/IslandCityStageFL and on Instagram at @islandcitystage1.
About the Miss Florida F.I. (Female Impersonator) Pageant
Currently celebrating its 50th anniversary, The Miss Florida F.I. pageant is the finest in female impersonation pageantry and male pageantry. The spectacular social event of the season features the Miss Florida at Large, Miss Florida Supreme, Mr. Florida M.E. and Miss Florida F.I. competitions. Former winners have gone onto great careers in TV, film, and coveted lead roles in shows and cabarets including Las Vegas and P-Town, and have traveled not only across the state of Florida but around the world. The Miss Florida F.I. pageant is executive produced by Alyson Thomas with Scott Holland and Gary Santis. This year’s competition takes place over two nights October 2 and October 3 at The Venue/The Manor Fort Lauderdale (2345 Wilton Drive). To purchase tickets, visit MissFloridaFIPageant.com. For sponsorship or more information call (954) 478-4587.
About Island City Stage
Founded in 2012, Island City Stage produces award-wining professional theatrical experiences rich with LGBTQ+ history, stories and characters, but have a heart and soul that is truly universal. It specializes in developing new work in addition to featuring the efforts of playwrights who expose audiences to different voices and diverse experiences. These shows are brought to life on stage through the talents of professional artists whose credits include Broadway, Off Broadway, national tours, major regional theaters, film and television. Island City Stage offers an intimate setting with six rows of stadium seating to foster a feeling of inclusion and participation in each theatrical event. It is located at 2304 N. Dixie Hwy in Wilton Manors. For tickets and more information, please call (954) 928-9800 or visit islandcitystage.org.
