ISLAND CITY STAGE PRESENTS THE EAST COAST U.S. PREMIERE OF EVERYTHING BEAUTIFUL HAPPENS AT NIGHT BY TED MALAWERFROM APRIL 2 – 26
A poignant story about bravery and finding the courage to get on the same page; Tickets are on sale now
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (February 27, 2026) – It’s the 1980s in Manhattan and celebrated children’s book author Ezra is at a creative and personal roadblock. His new book and literary legacy is in limbo. What, or who, will it take for him to find acceptance and inspiration again? Journey into a writer’s mind and heart as Island City Stage presents the East Coast U.S. premiere of Everything Beautiful Happens at Night from April 2 – 26. Tickets are on sale now.
From writer Ted Malawer (Red, White, & Royal Blue), Carbonell and Silver Palm Award-winning director Bruce Linser, and featuring stunning illustrations by multi-award-winning artist Bong Redila, Everything Beautiful Happens at Night is a tender, funny, and moving story about the life you have, the life you want, and who stays when the world gets quiet.
“The first time I read this play, I fell in love with it. The dialogue is smart, witty, and fast-paced, but the emotional depth of it sneaks up on you and takes you by surprise. I found myself laughing out loud and then crying a moment later, which is the mark of powerful theatre for me,” said Linser, making his Island City Stage directorial debut. “The characters and relationships are well-crafted and profoundly human. Although it’s set in a specific time and place, the themes still resonate deeply for where we are today. I think audiences will find it moving, and they’ll definitely be able to relate to it on a personal level.”
Ezra is a closeted children’s book author. Nancy is his fiercely loyal editor. Their creative partnership has shaped stories that delight generations. But when writer’s block pushes Ezra far past deadlines to deliver his latest book, a new voice enters the conversation and begins to change Ezra’s life, inspiring a controversial ending to Chipmunk and Squirrel, and testing the limits of his friendship with Nancy.
As a former literary agent for children’s book authors, then as an editor of children’s books, and ultimately as a children’s book author and novelist, himself, Ted Malawer has spun a tale close to home. Everything Beautiful Happens at Night was partially inspired by his childhood LGBTQ author heroes Maurice Sendak (“Where the Wild Things Are”) and Arnold Lobel (“Frog and Toad” books). The play held its world premiere at Capital Stage in Sacramento, California, in early 2025 and its second U.S. staging brings it to the award-winning Island City Stage in Wilton Manors, Florida.
Island City Stage’s production of Everything Beautiful Happens at Night, directed by Linser, stars Christopher Dreeson as Ezra, Laura Turnbull as Nancy, and Aidan Paul as Jake.
While Everything Beautiful Happens at Night marks Bruce Linser’s directing debut with Island City Stage, ICS audiences will recognize him as the actor who played John/James in Love! Valour! Compassion! and Jane/Lord Edgar in The Mystery of Irma Vep. He also played Gavin in the world premiere of Family Tree at Plays of Wilton next door. Favorite directing projects in the area include Woody Guthrie’s American Song, The Spitfire Grill, and the world premiere of The Science of Leaving Omaha (Palm Beach Dramaworks), numerous productions with MNM Theatre including Man of La Mancha, Avenue Q, Little Shop of Horrors, The World Goes ‘Round, Side by Side by Sondheim, and 108 Waverly and The Timekeepers (Plays of Wilton). He is an associate member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society and a member of Actors’ Equity Association.
Christopher Dreeson (Ezra) was last seen at Island City Stage as Horace in The Little Foxes. He made his South Florida professional debut in 2018 in the Carbonell-recommended one-man show Confessions of a Nightingale playing the role of Tennessee Williams, directed by Jeffrey Bruce. Dreeson’s most recent Carbonell nomination was for Best Actor in a Supporting Role (John aka Fountainhead) in the New City Players production of Water by the Spoonful directed by Elizabeth Price. Last spring, Dreeson won a Del Lago award for Best Performance by a Featured Actor for his role of Jeff in Boca West’s production of Dry Powder at the Delray Beach Playhouse.
Laura Turnbull (Nancy) recently completed a successful run of Come From Away at the Maltz Jupiter Theatre and prior to that was seen in Spitfire Grill at Actor’s Playhouse. Over the past 25 years, Turnbull has performed with nearly every professional theatre in South Florida and last season appeared in All My Sons (New City Theatre), Anastasia (Slow Burn Theatre), and Lost in Yonkers (Palm Beach Dramaworks). When not on stage, she can be found behind the scenes costuming or assisting with costumes for several local theaters. In addition, Laura has worked on Broadway, Off-Broadway, national tours, regional theatres, television and film. She’s a proud, long-standing member of Actors Equity Association and SAG/AFTRA.
Aidan Paul (Jake) will be making his Island City Stage debut in Everything Beautiful Happens at Night. His recent credits include playing Adam/Leo in The Inheritance Part 1 (Zoetic Stage), Link in Hairspray (FSU) and Bobby in Cabaret (Mountain Theatre Company).
Everything Beautiful Happens at Night co-producers are Russell Vance, Michael Mullins and Terry Gaw; Lights and Sound Sponsor is Scott Bennett; Talent Sponsors are Paul Rolli & Bennett Quade and Robert Lee; Costume Sponsors are Rita Cassady and John Colemen; Set Sponsors are Margie & Trevor Fried; and Illustrations Sponsor is DC Allen & Ken Flick No Gay Hate Fund at Our Fund. Additional funding is provided by the following: The Our Fund Foundation, The Schubert Foundation Inc., the SHS Foundation, the Warten Foundation, and OutClique.
From twisted tales to touching human stories, Island City Stage’s upcoming season invites you to expect the unexpected. Upcoming bold productions, each delivering unexpected twists, inventive storytelling, and unforgettable theatrical moments include Light Switch by Dave Osmundsen from May 21 – June 14and Eureka Day by Jonathan Spector from August 20 – September 20.
Individual show tickets start at $45. A Mimosa Sunday performance sponsored by John Fomook and Charles Lee will take place on April 12. A special Women’s Night at the Theatre sponsored by Barbara Signer and Fran Epstein will take place on April 24. The show runs for one hour and 40 minutes with no intermission.
Island City Stage believes that theatre should belong to the next generation of storytellers, artists, and audiences. Its new “30 Under 30” initiative invites patrons ages 18–29 to experience award-winning, professional theatre for just $30 per ticket (plus taxes & fees; subject to availability on Thursday and Friday evenings and Saturday matinees). Limit one ticket per patron per production. A government-issued photo ID will be required at will call. When ordering online, use discount code “30U30.”
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.islandcitystage.org, call (954) 928-9800 or email [email protected]. Follow Island City Stage on Facebook at facebook.com/IslandCityStage and on Instagram at @islandcitystage1.
About Island City Stage
Founded in 2012, Island City Stage is a professional theater committed to sharing stories of universal interest, engaging diverse audiences with entertaining, challenging, and inspiring productions and programs, often exploring the LGBTQ+ culture. 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. Island City Stage is a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organization. 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.
