Book and Lyrics by Joel Paley
Music by Marvin Laird

LIVE PERFORMANCES
August 30 - September 15, 2024

Friday & Saturday 
8:00pm

Sundays 
2:00pm Matinee

Luminary Arts at Patio Playhouse
116 S. Kalmia Street
Escondido, CA  92025

Ruthless is the story of a naive 1950s housewife, Judy, and her adorable but sociopath 8-year-old daughter Tina. Encouraged by her manager, Sylvia, Tina will do ANYTHING to get the lead role in her school play “including murdering the leading lady!" In Act II, while Tina spends time at a reform school for psychopathic ingenues, Judy discovers from her adoptive mother that her birth mother was a famous actress. Judy decides that she should be famous as well and becomes a Broadway diva.

Ruthless! was first presented at the Players Theater in New York City on May 6, 1992. Directed by Joal Paley, the production featured Laura Bell Bundy, Donna English and Joel Vig. On July 13, 2015, a new streamlined version of Ruthless! premiered at St. Luke’s Theatre in New York City. Directed by Joel Paley, the cast included Paley, Tori Murray, Kim Maresca and Peter Land. Revised in August 2015 to reflect the 2015 off-Broadway production.
 

Click HERE for our Showgram 

RUTHLESS! is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals. www.concordtheatricals.com

Luminary Arts is a not-for-profit with a mission to enrich lives by producing exceptional musical theatre, unique and quality performing arts training, and an unparalleled contribution to our local schools' California VAPA* program. It was founded in 2015 by a group of performance arts professionals who gathered in the outskirts of San Diego, CA in North County.

Luminary Arts aims to provide access to high-quality theatre training, production, and performances for entry-level, novice, and professionally trained actors, directors, and crew in a collaborative environment. We are dedicated to building community by educating, supporting, and creating performing artists with three core pillars:

School Programs: We bring professional teaching artists of music, theatre, and dance into the classroom and work side by side with your classroom teachers. We provide after-school enrichment programs, choral presentations, dance workshops, and drama classes -- all tailored to a school's needs. Please visit our School Programs page to learn how to bring a Luminary Arts curriculum to your school.

Studio Classes & Workshops: We provide instruction that supports emerging performing artists as they expand their skills and explore their potential in a non-competitive environment. Our professional teaching artists provide a unique experience for students and professionals at all levels. 

Productions | Performances & Camps: We provide live performance opportunities in both educational and community settings. We are always striving to bring a level of professionalism to all our productions. Our young students are educated in all aspects of the production process.