By Charles Baran

Since the world began, well, maybe not that far back, gay men and women, okay, mostly gay men, have been obsessed with glamorous movie queens from the golden-olden days of Hollywood. I, myself, spent many high school afternoons sitting around the cafeteria table with my uber-gay best friend Michael, running one-liners from What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?—Michael’s favorite movie. So favorite in fact that he filmed an 8mm spoof of it at our friend’s house in the Bronx.

Joan Crawford appeared in that 1962 film alongside another major Hollywood superstar, Bette Davis. Over the years there have been countless debates, and not just among gay men, over whose performance was better, who was the “bigger” star, and questions about a mysterious imbroglio that the pair engaged in from day one on the set. Was it a publicity stunt? Who knows. It made for great reading when the film premiered.

Given Joan Crawford’s continued popularity, it was only a matter of time when a crafty playwright would figure out how to put a multitude of Crawfords on a single stage in one evening to the delight of an adoring LGBTQ audience. Multiple Crawfords! No way! It’s sensory overload! It’s orgasmic! It’s Chunky Monkey with Reddi-wip, a Maraschino cherry AND sprinkles!!

Michael Leeds, director, actor, and “crafty” playwright did just that in his hilarious and suspenseful 2012 play Who Killed Joan Crawford? The comedic whodunit is a perfect choice to open Island City Stage’s exciting “Season 15.” The ninety-minute intermission-less play, set in a cabin on a dark and stormy night, is sure to have South Florida audiences buzzing around their kitchens like Mildred Pierce. Five men arrive to celebrate the birthday of their friend. To honor him, they each come dressed as his favorite film star, ppp is Joan Crawford. As the gentlemen-Joans await the guest of honor, the guys drink and dish, spilling secrets along with cocktails. Suddenly, there’s one Joan less. Then another. And another. When all the Joans are gone, it’s time to discover Who Killed Joan Crawford?

The production, directed by Michael Leeds features an exceptional cast of talented actors, several of whom are familiar to Island City Stage audiences; Bruce Linser, Michael Coppola, Stephen Trovillion, Christopher Dreeson and Luke Di Liddo. With set design by Dean Landhuis, costumes by Emil White and lighting design by Desirae Merritt, it’s certain to be a first-class production. Oh, and let’s not forget the hairdos. The wig stylist in charge is Aaron Kinchen.

And if you’re jonesing for even more Joans, make sure you stop by Out of the Closet thrift store on Wilton Drive where, for the month of October, the mannequins will be “done-up” as La Crawford using clothing from the store’s racks. You can purchase a whole “Joan” look and help support the AIDS Healthcare Foundation’s HIV prevention and treatment services. Yes, you too can be Joan Crawford!

Experience the magic and mayhem of Who Killed Joan Crawford? October 1 to 25, 2026 at Island City Stage. For tickets and information visit www.IslandCityStage.org