Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre presents Ragtime
Wednesday, 01/28/2015 – 02/22/2015 08:00 pm –
Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre
280 Miracle Mile,
Coral Gables, Florida 33134
Webpage Link
Cost: $15 – $59

Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre continues its celebrated 2014-2015 season with a regional premiere production of the Tony Award-winning musical Ragtime from January 28 – February 22, 2015. This sweeping musical portrait of early 20th century America tells the powerful tale of a white, upper-middle class family, an African American couple, and an Eastern European immigrant escaping to America with his daughter, as they all confront the timeless contradictions of wealth, poverty, freedom, prejudice, hope, and despair in pursuit of the American Dream. Unfolding through the fiery rhythms of Harlem and Tin Pan Alley, and the vibrant klezmer of the Lower East Side, this vivid and unforgettable Tony-winning score bursts onto the stage in what will be the largest and most epic production ever staged at the Miracle Theatre.

Based on E.L. Doctorow’s award-winning book of the same name, Ragtime features music by Stephen Flaherty, lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, and book by Terrence McNally. Directed by award-winning Artistic Director David Arisco, Ragtime features a cast of 40 professional actors.

The cast of Ragtime includes: Broadway actors Tally Sessions and Melissa Minyard, Reggie Whitehead, Ken Clement and Dominique Scott returning from National/International Tours, and Actors’ Playhouse veterans Irene Adjan, Nick Duckart, Mark Sanders, Gabriel Zenone and George Schiavone. Miami natives Don Juan Seward II and Sarah Nicole Batts will make their leading role debuts at Actors’ Playhouse as Coalhouse Walker, Jr. and the woman he loves, Sarah. The children’s cast for Ragtime includes Miami HEAT National Anthem singing sensation Julia Dale, Athena Pacanins, Max Leifman and Julian Gorelick.

The cast of Ragtime in alphabetical order:

Irene Adjan – Emma Goldman
Sarah Nicole Batts – Sarah
Ken Clement – J.P. Morgan
Joshua Dobarganes – Harry Houdini
Nick Duckart – Willie Conklin/Ensemble
Melissa Minyard – Mother
Mark Sanders – Father
George Schiavone – Grandfather
Dominique Scott – Younger Brother
Tally Sessions – Tateh
Don Juan Seward II – Coalhouse Walker, Jr.
Stephanie White – Evelyn Nesbit
Reggie Whitehead – Booker T. Washington
Fredena J. Williams – Sarah’s Friend/Ensemble
Gabriel Zenone – Henry Ford

Ensemble members:

Lauren Bell, Hannah Benitez, Dexter Carr, Anne Chamberlain, Diana D’Ambrosio, Marcus Davis, Mark Della Ventura, Sean Dorazio, Justen Fox-Hall, Deidra Grace, Noel Harris, Jr., Walter Kemp-Edwards, Nicole Kinzel, Michael Leyte-Vidal, Maha McCain, Cindy Pearce, Elizabeth Sackett, Kaylin Seckel, Johnathan Shepherd, Asher Makeba Timmons, Brian Varela and Ray Yanez.

The creative team for Ragtime includes: David Nagy (musical director), Ron Hutchins (choreographer), Tim Bennett (scenic design), Ellis Tillman (costume design), Patrick Tennent (lighting design) and Mitch Furman (sound design).

Preview performances of Ragtime will be held Wednesday and Thursday, January 28 and 29 at 8 p.m. The show will open on Friday, January 30 at 8 p.m. and play through February 22, 2015. Evening performances will be held Wednesday through Saturday at 8 p.m., with afternoon matinees on Sunday at 3 p.m. A special weekday matinee is scheduled on Wednesday, February 4 at 2 p.m.

Preview night tickets on the first Wednesday and Thursday are $37. Tickets for weeknights and matinees are $52, and on Friday and Saturday evenings $59. The theatre offers a 10 percent senior discount rate the day of performance and $15 student rush tickets 15 minutes prior to curtain with identification. Discounts are based on availability and exclude Saturday and Sunday.

Group discounted rates are offered for 15 or more through our group sales department. Single tickets may be purchased through the box office at 305-444-9293 or online at www.actorsplayhouse.org.

This event is made possible with the support of Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs, the Cultural Affairs Council, and the Miami Dade County Mayor and Board of County Commissioners for Major Cultural Institutions, and is sponsored in part by the State of Florida Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs, and the Florida Council on Arts & Culture, with support of the City of Coral Gables, and by the following sponsors: Azamara Club Cruises, Star Alliance, TotalBank, InterContinental Miami, Lexus of Kendall, NBC Miami and South Florida Times.

*Photo: The cast of Ragtime directed by David Arisco at Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre. Photo by George Schiavone.

Miracle on South Division Street
Wednesday, 12/03/2014 – 12/28/2014 08:00 pm –
Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre
280 Miracle Mile,
Coral Gables, Florida 33134
Webpage Link
Cost: $15 – $53

Fresh from its Off-Broadway run, Miracle on South Division Street is the story of the Nowak family living amidst the urban rubble of Buffalo, NY’s East Side. Clara the family matriarch happily runs her soup kitchen and tends to the family heirloom, a twenty-foot shrine of the Blessed Mother, which adjoins the house. This beacon commemorated the day in 1942 that the Virgin Mary appeared to her father at his home-based barbershop. During the course of this very funny and original play, the entire family’s faith is shaken to the core as the family legend seems to be unraveling. The evening’s results are heartfelt and hilarious.

Performances are Wednesday – Saturday at 8 p.m., and Sunday at 3 p.m.
A special weekday matinee is scheduled on Wednesday, December 10 at 2 p.m.

A Christmas Carol, the Musical
Saturday, 11/22/2014 – 12/21/2014 02:00 pm – 03:30 pm
Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre
280 Miracle Mile,
Coral Gables, Florida 33134
Webpage Link
Cost: $20

Based on the novel by Charles Dickens, Tiny Tim and the entire Cratchit family join three unearthly “Spirits” in trying to convince Ebenezer Scrooge to change his “Bah-Humbug” ways in A Christmas Carol, the Musical. This fabulous adaptation written especially for family audiences will warm your heart as it reveals the true meaning of the holidays.

To encourage the “Spirit of Giving” during the theatre’s production of A Christmas Carol, the Musical, Actors’ Playhouse will give every child who brings a new, unwrapped toy to donate during a performance, a free Flexible Anytime Ticket valid for any remaining show in the Musical Theatre for Young Audiences 2014-2015 Season. Last day to donate toys will be on Saturday, December 20. All donations will be delivered that evening to Neighbors 4 Neighbors for distribution to families in need through their Operation Elf Toy Drive.

Saturdays at 2 p.m.
Special holiday performances on December 20 at 7 p.m. and December 21 at 5 p.m. Select weekday performances at 10 a.m. for pre-arranged fieldtrips through our Education Department.

Actors Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre presents the smash-hit Broadway musical sensation Spamalot
Wednesday, 03/05/2014 – 03/30/2014 08:00 pm –
Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre
280 Miracle Mile,
Coral Gables, Florida 33134
Webpage Link
Cost: $15-$55

Monty Python’s Spamalot, the 2005 Tony Award-winner for Best Musical, returns to spread laughter and cheer throughout the Kingdom of South Florida for a limited engagement. Lovingly “ripped off” from the internationally famous comedy team’s most popular motion picture, “Monty Python and the Holy Grail,” it turns the legendary tale of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table on its head with a chorus line of dancing divas, knights in tights, flatulent Frenchman and killer rabbits. It won three 2005 Tony Awards including Best Musical and Best Director (Mike Nichols), as well as the Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle awards for Best Musical. The original cast recording of Monty Python’s Spamalot won the 2006 Grammy Award for Best Musical Show Album.

Directed by the award-winning David Arisco, Monty Python’s Spamalot features a book by Eric Idle, with music and lyrics by the Grammy Award-winning team of Eric Idle and John Du Prez.

“The most amazing aspect of SPAMALOT is that it works for both Monty Python fans AND musical theatre fans,” said Director David Arisco. “This is a huge Broadway musical with multiple large-scale and outrageously funny numbers, and it’s a perfect homage to Monty Python’s unique brand of humor.”

Leading the quest is King Arthur (Gary Marachek) with his trusty servant Patsy (Paul Louis). Playing his gallant knights – and a broad assortment of other characters – are Jim Ballard as Sir Lancelot the Homicidally Brave, Gabriel Zenone as Sir Robin the Not-Quite-So-Brave-as-Sir-Lancelot, Shane Tanner as Sir Galahad, the Dashingly Handsome, Wayne LeGette as Sir Bedevere, the Strangely Flatulent, and Lindsey Forgey as The Lady of the Lake, a tour-de-force role for any comedic actress. University of Miami alumnus Jose Luaces plays multiple roles including Prince Herbert, Historian, Not Dead Fred, a French Guard and a Minstrel.

The creative team features Musical Director David Nagy, Choreographer Ron Hutchins, set design adapted from an original scene design by Jim Hunter (www.jimhunterdesigns.com), costumes provided by Costume World Theatrical (www.costumeworld.com) and adapted for this production by Ellis Tillman, Sound Designer Sean Lawson and Lighting Designer Luke Klingberg.

Preview performances of Monty Python’s SPAMALOT will be held Wednesday and Thursday, March 5 and 6 at 8 p.m. The show will open on Friday, March 7 at 8 p.m. and play through March 30, 2014. Evening performances will be held Wednesday through Saturday at 8 p.m., with afternoon matinees on Sunday at 3 p.m. A special weekday matinee is scheduled on Wednesday, March 12 at 2 p.m.

Preview night tickets on the first Wednesday and Thursday are $42. Tickets for weeknights and matinees are $47, and on Friday and Saturday evenings $55. The theatre offers a 10 percent senior discount rate the day of performance and $15 student rush tickets 15 minutes prior to curtain with identification. Discounts are based on availability and exclude Saturday and Sunday.

Group discounted rates are offered for 15 or more through our group sales department. Single tickets may be purchased through the box office at 305-444-9293 or online at www.actorsplayhouse.org.

Romeo & Juliet: Eternal Love
Friday, 05/09/2014 – 05/11/2014 08:00 pm – 11:00 pm
BankUnited Center
1245 Dauer Drive,
Coral Gables, Florida 33316
Webpage Link
Cost: Begins at $40

From the classic balcony scene to the raucous swordfights and the heart wrenching final deaths of world’s most well-known star crossed lovers, Shakespeare’s popular tale of Romeo & Juliet is coming to South Florida in a way audiences have never seen before.
In its U.S. debut, Spectacular Stage presents ROMEO & JULIET: ETERNAL LOVE, a one-of-a-kind production combining live actors, extraordinary holographic technology and striking special effects – bringing a true Miami flair to Shakespeare’s timeless tale.
Re-discover the classic love story of Romeo and Juliet, told for the first time with the most modern and innovative multimedia special effects, May 15 (8 PM); 16 (8 PM) and 17 (2 PM and 8 PM), 2014 at the BankUnited Center at the University of Miami. Tickets for the Spectacular Stage production of ROMEO & JULIET: ETERNAL LOVE are officially on-sale, prices: $40, $60, $80, $110.

Making a Timeless Classic a Modern Legend
Production company Spectacular Stage specializes in the art of applying modern technology to classic works of theatrical art to bring new life to these timeless tales. It is their intricate technology, under the guidance of Visual Producer Lucia Mastromarino, that allows Spectacular Stage’s creative composers Giuseppe and Riccardo Raffa to bring Shakespeare’s most popular play to life, blurring the line of virtual and reality in the ultimate story of passion, love, lust, politics, rivalries and revenge. In addition to mesmerizing audiences with technology never before seen in the U.S., The Spectacular Stage intends to also incorporate contemporary society context – creating a deeper connection between the characters and theatre goers.

A meticulous virtual reconstruction of Renaissance Verona, Italy, envelopes the audience into a fully immersive theatrical experience. In a sense, Spectacular Stage has created a living movie, combining real life actors and high-tech projected holograms, cinematic quality settings and an exceptional musical score.
Experience Eternal Love

ROMEO & JULIET: ETERNAL LOVE kicks-off its first North American tour in Miami with both English and Spanish performances. The Spectacular Stage production will then go onto Tampa, Orlando, Jacksonville, Toronto and Montreal.
Single tickets are available by visiting www.spectacularstage.com and http://www.bankunitedcenter.com/eventpage.php?id=157#1 or calling 305-284-8686.

Casting Calls for Romeo & Juliet: Eternal Love
Saturday, 03/01/2014 – 10:00 am –
BankUnited Center
1245 Dauer Dr,
Coral Gables, Florida 33146
Webpage Link
Cost: Free.

CASTING CALLS ADVISORY
ROMEO & JULIET: ETERNAL LOVE
Saturday, March 1, 2014 – Begins 10 a.m.
University of Miami, BankUnited Center – Fieldhouse

Online application form: http://spectacularstage.com/index.php/audition

The classic tale of Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet is transformed to an awe-inspiring modern production in Spectacular Stage’s ROMEO & JULIET: ETERNAL LOVE. Seeking unique, local talent to audition.

With the use of impressive holographic technology, like never seen before in the United States, this contemporary presentation will wow audiences when it debuts for the first time stateside in Miami from May 15 – 17, 2014 at the BankUnited Center at the University of Miami.

Who We Need:

ROMEO & JULIET: ETERNAL LOVE is looking for both English and Spanish-speaking singers with a classical or pop background, superior acting skills and stage presence as well as the ability to read basic sheet music. Anyone can audition for a role!

Each audition candidate will be required to perform two songs of their choice and will be provided a pianist to accompany them. Any background music needed by the performer will be brought on a CD.

Each person auditioning will be judged on their vocal and musical abilities, acting skills as well as their ability to drive to rehearsals and prepare with the cast as needed.

When to Audition:

Auditions will be held on Saturday, March 1, 2014 at the University of Miami, BankUnited Center. Fieldhouse, 1245 Dauer Dr. Coral Gables, FL, 33416.

Auditions begin at 10 am and will last throughout the day. Space is limited, so sign up NOW to receive your audition number. This will determine your audition time and place in line.
Be sure to fill out the application attached before auditioning – no walk-ups will be considered.

Available Roles:

ROMEO: Montague’s son, age 18-30. Tenor. Great stage presence. Inclination for acting and performing, and with outstanding singing skills.

JULIET: Capulet’s daughter, age 18-30. Soprano. Great stage presence. Inclination for acting and performing, and with outstanding singing skills.

MERCUTIO: Romeo’s friend, age 18-30. Tenor with vibrant vocal skills. Inclination for acting and good gesturing.

TYBALT: Juliet’s cousin, age 18-35. Baritone.

JULIET’S NURSE: age 30-50. Mezzo-soprano

FRIAR LAURENCE: high priest of a church in Verona, age 25-35. Baritone.

LADY CAPULET: Juliet’s mother, age 25-35. Mezzo-soprano.

CAPULET: Juliet’s father, age 40-50. Bass.

UNCLE CAPULET: Capulet’s brother, age 40-50. Bass.

All performers will also be considered for the secondary roles of Benvolio, Gregory, Sampson, Abram, Balthasar and Peter.

City Theatre presents City Reads for CityWrights at Books & Books in Coral Gables
Wednesday, 01/22/2014 – 05:30 pm – 08:00 pm
Books & Books
265 Aragon Avenue,
Coral Gables, Florida 33134
Webpage Link
Cost: Free

City Reads for CityWrights are fun and informal evenings of new play readings, presented by City Theatre and its acting company, that give audiences a first-hand role in the process that scripts go from page to stage. Audiences serve as critic and supporter, or even as an actor, while having a peek at what makes City Theatre a center for fresh, new works.

These evenings are an entertaining way for audiences to help City Theatre find great plays among the hundreds of submissions that the company receives for its annual Summer Shorts Festival. Summer Shorts is America’s Short Play Festival that will take place from June 12 – July 6, 2014 at The Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County, with an incredible line-up of scripts penned by the country’s best writers including City Theatre National Short Play Competition winners.

Miss Nelson is Missing
Saturday, 10/05/2013 – 11/09/2013 02:00 pm – 03:30 pm
Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre
280 Miracle Mile,
Coral Gables, Florida 33134
Webpage Link
Cost: $21-23

Back by popular demand is this prior winner of Actors’ Playhouse National Children’s Theatre Festival with book, music and lyrics by Joan Cushing. Based on the popular children’s book by Harry Allard and James Marshall, the story follows Miss Nelson’s unruly class as they confront their worst nightmare, substitute teacher Viola Swamp! Join these rambunctious students as they discover some valuable lessons on their search for their favorite teacher Miss Nelson.

Adaptation, Music & Lyrics by Joan Cushing
Based on the Books by James Marshall & Harry Allard

Performance Schedule: Saturdays at 2 p.m.

“All Kids Included” Sensory-Friendly Saturday Performance on Saturday, October 19, 2013 at 11 a.m. Weekday 10 a.m. matinees available for field trips.

Ruthless! The Musical
Thursday, 10/09/2013 – 11/03/2013 08:00 pm –
Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre
280 Miracle Mile,
Coral Gables, Florida 33134
Webpage Link
Cost: $15-48

Ruthless! The Musical is a gem of a satirical comedy about the consuming drive for stardom. Suburban housewife Judy Denmark is dull as dull can be, but her daughter, Tina, is the greatest song-and-dance sensation to ever hit the third grade. She’s cute. She dances. She sings. And she would do anything to get the lead role in her school play…ANYTHING! Move over Honey Boo Boo, this outrageous and hysterically funny musical hit garnered rave reviews during its Off-Broadway run in the early 90s, and is ripe for a revival in today’s celebrity driven world.

Actors’ Playhouse’s production will feature pint-size powerhouse Julia Dale as Tina Denmark. National anthem singer Julia Dale has been a feature at Miami HEAT games since her rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner” garnered international media attention during the NBA Finals in 2011, 2012 and 2013. Julia has since been dubbed the team’s “Good Luck Charm” and is now excited to add professional actress to her credits as she makes her regional theatre debut in Ruthless! The Musical at the Miracle Theatre.

Book and lyrics by Joel Paley, music by Marvin Laird

Performance Schedule: Wednesday – Saturday at 8 p.m., and Sunday at 3 p.m.

Area Stage’s First Summer Production: Seussical the Musical
Friday, 06/28/2013, 07:00 pm – 09:00 pm
Area Stage Theater
1560 S. Dixie Hwy ,
Coral Gables, Florida 33146
Webpage Link

Seussical: The Musical, based on the Dr. Seuss fantastic books, this Broadway Musical was nominated for one TONY and three Drama Desk awards. Written by Composer Stephen Flaherty and Lyricist Lynn Ahrens for our favorite Dr. Seuss Characters including Horton the Elephant, The Cat in the Hat, Gertrude McFuzz, Lazy Mayzie, and a little boy with a big imagination—Jojo. The colorful characters transport us from the Jungle of Nool, to the Circus McGirkus, to the invisible world of the Whos.
Performances: Friday, June 28 at 7:00 PM – Saturday, June 29 at 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM
Tickets: Adults – $25 & $20/ Students $15 & $10 (with student ID)
Reservations: 305-666-2078 or www.areastagecompany.com

Free Play Reading of Evicted at GableStage 
Monday, June 10th at 7:30pm
GableStage at the Biltmore
1200 Anastasia Avenue
Coral Gables, FL 33134

No Reserved Seats / No Admission Charge

A reading of Evicted A Modern Lear Tale by Richard Janaro directed by Margaret M. Ledford with Alex Alvarez, Ryan Didato, Lindsay Fogey, David Kwiat,  Deborah L. Sherman, and Christian Vandepas

Gabriel Plunkett and his wife Lorelei are living on the streets after he loses his lucrative job as CEO of an investment company. Dissatisfied clients have sued him for all his money, and his furniture has been repossessed. He is still arrogant, however (like Lear) until an encounter with other street people during a wind and rain storm causes him to discover the humanity buried deep inside him.

Valet parking is available.
Free parking is available in the Biltmore parking area west of the hotel.

GableStage at the Biltmore Presents Cock
May 18 thru June 16
Performances:  Thursday, Friday, Saturday @ 8pm, Sunday @ 2pm & 7pm
(No 7pm performance on Sunday, May 19)
GableStage at the Biltmore Hotel
1200 Anastasia Avenue
Coral Gables, FL 33134

Valet parking is available.
Free parking is available in the Biltmore parking area west of the hotel.

The Southeastern Premiere of a provocatively titled play about an unlikely love triangle

by Mike Bartlett
with
Julie Kleiner, Ryan Didato, Peter Galman and Nicholas Richberg
Directed by Joseph Adler
When John takes a break from his boyfriend, he accidentally meets the girl of his dreams. A playful, candid look at one man’s sexuality and the difficulties that arise when you realize you have a choice.

Young Talent Big Dreams Presented by The Children’s Trust
Saturday, April 20 at 7 p.m.
Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre
280 Miracle Mile
Coral Gables, FL 33134
Open to the Public, Tickets Available for $10
For more information, visit www.actorsplayhouse.org or call 211. To learn more about The Children’s Trust, please visit www.thechildrenstrust.org.

Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre, together with presenting sponsor, The Children’s Trust, will culminate Young Talent Big Dreams, the most widespread local youth talent contest in Miami-Dade County history, with the semifinal and final competitions for student performers ages 8-17.
 
The competition features a total of eight categories: individual song, dance, original spoken word, musical instrument and original composition; and group categories (six or fewer members): dance, vocal/instrumental and instrumental. Over six months, hundreds of contestants attended the seven auditions held in distinct neighborhoods throughout the county. Participation was free, but limited to residents of Miami-Dade County. In each category, participants compete for prizes ranging from free master classes with industry leaders and performance opportunities, to cash awards, and tickets to local attractions and professional performances.
 
A special grand prize also will be awarded to the overall winner if from a musical category: a recording studio session and professionally produced song for each act with the renowned multi-award winning producer and musician Paul Fakhourie, who has produced Eric Clapton; Stephen, Damian and Ziggy Marley; and Lauren Hill, just to name a few. Fakhourie’s production and musical arrangement contributed to the success of the album “The Miseducation of Lauren Hill,” which garnered 10 Grammy nominations and won five Grammy Awards.
 
The grand prize winner also will receive $500 cash; individual first place winners receive $250; and first place group winners will receive $50 each up to $300 for a group of six. Each winner will also receive a 2013-14 Actors’ Playhouse Flexible Anytime Subscription for two (valued at $558), headshots courtesy of Alberto Romeu Photography and the winner of the dance category will also receive a Thomas Armour Youth Ballet Unlimited Scholarship to the Ballet Conservatory.
 
The Semi-Finals and Finals take place before a live audience. Each act was allotted up to one minute during their audition performance and will be given two minutes for the final-round performance. Contestants in each performance category from each audition location will compete in the semifinals, and three contestants in each category in the semifinals will advance to the finals. A winner in each category and an overall winner will ultimately be selected.

The judges for the finals on April 20 will be: David Arisco, Actors’ Playhouse Artistic Director; Howard Cohen, Miami Herald Columnist; Natalie Lewis, Executive Director of PATH, Inc./Musician, Spoken Word Artist, and Jodie Langel, Broadway Actor/Singer/Author.

“We initiated this outstanding youth program three years ago with the support of The Children’s Trust, to inspire and motivate children of all diversity and backgrounds to reach their goals by expressing themselves through the arts and their individual talent. The program has proven to be very successful with each and every contestant gaining confidence to explore opportunities to develop a career in the arts,” stated Barbara S. Stein, Actors’ Playhouse executive producing director.

UM Frost Opera Theater Premieres "Entanglements" at the Lowe Art Museum
Thursday, April 18 at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, April 20 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, April 21 at 4 p.m.
The Lowe Art Museum
1301 Stanford Drive
Coral Gables.

General admission is $10. Admission is free for all UM students, faculty and staff, as well as for Lowe members.

The  University of Miami Frost School of Music announces a new opera by composer Charles Norman Mason, entitled Entanglements, that examines the types of personal, family, work and political relationships that can evolve and entwine over time. The opera will be staged in five different galleries throughout the Lowe Art Museum.

“Since scenes are occurring simultaneously, a one hour performance is actually four hours of music,” Mason explains. “If the scenes were presented sequentially, it would be a Wagnerian-length opera, but since five scenes occur simultaneously, it only lasts an hour or two, depending on how much the audience chooses to experience.”

Dr. Charles Norman Mason often composes works that have a parallel with architecture or a physical space, or that affect the flow of people through time and space. Mason has written a number of pieces contemplating what it means to take into consideration the architectural space within which the work will appear.

With a run time of approximately two hours, the audience may choose to experience the scenes in any order they wish (and for as long as they wish), much like the types of non-linear interactions that occur on social media sites. Surfing or skipping scenes is allowed — and even encouraged — providing each audience member with a unique narrative experience.

Frost School of Music students from the Department of Vocal Performance will perform all roles. All artists, schedules, times and locations are subject to change without notice. Refer to the Frost School of Music website or the  Lowe website for the most current event information.

In The Heights
Wednesday, 03/06/2013, 08:00 pm –
Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre
280 Miracle Mile,
Coral Gables, Florida 33134
Webpage Link

In The Heights, winner of four 2008 Tony Awards® and the 2008 Grammy® Award for Best Musical Show Album, is a sensational show about chasing your dreams and finding your true home. Billed as the next chapter in the classic American story on stage, In The Heights tells the universal story of a vibrant community in Manhattan’s Washington Heights – a place where the coffee from the corner bodega is light and sweet, the windows are always open, and the breeze carries the rhythm of three generations of music. It’s a community on the brink of change, full of hopes, dreams and pressures, where the biggest struggles can be deciding which traditions you take with you, and which ones you leave behind. Written by Lin-Manuel Miranda, this hip musical will win audiences over with its sweet story and hot tunes.

Playing March 6 – April 7, 2013

Performances Wednesday – Saturday at 8 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m. A special weekday matinee is scheduled on Wednesday, March 13, 2013 at 2 p.m.

Actors’ Playhouse presents The Last Five Years
Friday, December 7 through December 30, 2012. Evening performances: Wednesday through Saturday at 8 p.m.
Afternoon matinees: Sunday at 2 p.m.
A special weekday matinee is scheduled on Wednesday, December 12 at 2 p.m.
Miracle Theatre
280 Miracle Mile
Coral Gables, FL 33134

Tickets for weeknights and matinees are $40, and on Friday and Saturday evenings $48. The theatre offers a 10 percent senior discount rate the day of performance and $15 student rush tickets 15 minutes prior to curtain with identification. Discounts are based on availability and exclude Saturday and Sunday.

Group discounted rates are offered for 15 or more through our group sales department. Single tickets may be purchased through the box office at 305-444-9293 or online at www.actorsplayhouse.org.

Actors’ Playhouse is thrilled to welcome back Broadway star Janet Dacal and fan-favorite Christopher A. Kent as they star in Jason Robert Brown’s Drama Desk Award-winning musical The Last Five Years from December 5 – 30, 2012 at the Miracle Theatre.

The Last Five Years is a contemporary song-cycle musical that explores a five-year relationship between Jamie Wellerstein, a rising novelist, and Cathy Hiatt, a struggling actress. The story, told in the exuberant and heart-rending songs of award-winning composer Jason Robert Brown, chronicles the young couple’s romance in a new and exciting way: her story starts at the end of their relationship; his begins on the day they met. Funny and uplifting, the show captures some of the most heartbreaking and universally felt moments of modern romance, and promises to be an artistic treat for South Florida audiences.

Jason Robert Brown (13, Parade, Songs for a New World) is a Tony Award-winning contemporary composer renowned for his complex orchestrations, challenging vocals, and touching songs, which fuse pop-rock stylings with theatrical lyrics.

Actors’ Playhouse Artistic Director David Arisco will bring Mr. Brown’s critically acclaimed score to life with a stellar two-person cast.

“To celebrate our theatre’s 25th Anniversary Season with Janet Dacal, now a legitimate Broadway star, returning to where it all started for her is a unimaginable treat,” said Artistic Director David Arisco. “Both Janet and her co-star Christopher A. Kent were born to sing Jason Robert Brown’s incredibly demanding and delicious score.”

Janet Dacal (Cathy Hiatt) starred in Broadway’s Wonderland as the lead role of Alice, and also played the lead, Nina Rosario, in the Tony Award-winning Musical In the Heights, after having originated the role of Carla in the original Off-Broadway and Broadway productions. Dacal’s Broadway debut was in the Beach Boys musical Good Vibrations, and she also appeared Off-Broadway in Byzantium. The actress started her professional musical theatre career in Actors’ Playhouse’s 2002 production of Four Guys Named José…and Una Mujer Named Maria, and also appeared in the company’s productions of Five Course Love (Carbonell nomination), Urinetown and Annie.

Christopher A. Kent (Jamie Wellerstein) is a multiple Carbonell Award nominee who has starred in 30+ shows at Actors’ Playhouse over the past twenty years, and performed alongside Janet Dacal in the company’s 2006 production of Five Course Love. Recent credits include: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and Hairspray (Actors’ Playhouse), The Last Five Years (Places, Please Theatre Co.), At Last (Aventura Cultural Arts Center), Song Of The Living Dead (Promethean Theatre), and Next Fall (Caldwell Theatre).

The creative team for The Last Five Years includes Musical Director Emmanuel Schvartzman, Set Designer Sean McClelland, Costume Designer Ellis Tillman, Lighting Designer Patrick Tennent and Sound Designer Alexander Herrin.

This event is made possible with the support of Miami-Dade County with the support of the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs, The Cultural Affairs Council, The Miami-Dade County Mayor and Board of County Commissioners, with Support of the City of Coral Gables, and by the following sponsors: The Hampton Inn & Suites® Miami Airport hotel, Comcast, NBC Miami and MegaTV.

Lip Service, True Stories Out Loud: The Holiday Show
Saturday, 12/08/2012, 08:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Actor’s Playhouse at the Miracle Theater
280 Miracle Mile,
Coral Gables, Florida 33134
Webpage Link

Lip Service is a night of true, personal stories told live by the people who lived them. Eight people, eight stories, eight minutes each. The stories are hilarious, heartbreaking, poignant, embarrassing, inspiring and all true.

Now in it’s sixth year, and the recent recipient of a Knight Arts Challenge Award, Lip Service is celebrating its 25th show with a night of true holiday stories.

Storytellers include: Matthew Allen, Mickey Angel, Patricia Asuncion, Inessa Freylekhman, Carlos Frias, Sarah Klein, Jeff Lawrence, Esther Martinez, Darin Spurlock, and your host Andrea Askowitz.

Tickets on sale now at www.lipservicestories.com.

Public Relations Manager
Wednesday, 12/05/2012, 08:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre
280 Miracle Mile,
Coral Gables, Florida 33134
Webpage Link

Featuring Broadway star Janet Dacal and Carbonell Award nominee Christopher A. Kent, The Last Five Years is a contemporary song-cycle musical that explores a five-year relationship between Jamie Wellerstein, a rising novelist, and Cathy Hiatt, a struggling actress. The story, told in the exuberant and heart-rending songs of award-winning composer Jason Robert Brown, chronicles the young couple’s romance in a new and exciting way: her story starts at the end of their relationship; his begins on the day they met. Funny and uplifting, the show captures some of the most heartbreaking and universally felt moments of modern romance, and promises to be an artistic treat for South Florida audiences.

Playing December 5 – 30, 2012 at the Miracle Theatre.
Wednesday – Saturday at 8 p.m., Sunday at 2 p.m. A special weekday matinee is scheduled on Wednesday, December 12, 2012 at 2 p.m.

To purchase tickets, call 305-444-9293 or visit www.actorsplayhouse.org

Actors Playhouse Musical Theatre for Young Audiences presents A Christmas Carol the Musical
December 1 through December 23, 2012.
Miracle Theatre
280 Miracle Mile
Coral Gables, FL 33134

Performances will be on Saturdays at 2 p.m.
Special holiday performances will be held on December 22 at 7 p.m. and December 23 at 3 p.m.

To kick off the holiday season, Actors’ Playhouse Musical Theatre for Young Audiences will present a timeless tale of yuletide spirit live on stage in A Christmas Carol, the Musical. A fabulous musical adaptation written especially for family audiences, this Miracle Theatre favorite promises to warm hearts as it reveals the true meaning of the holidays.

Adapted by Nina Felice and Actors’ Playhouse Director of Theatre for Young Audiences Earl Maulding, this Charles Dickens classic takes a musical turn in this festive favorite, with music and lyrics by Scott Morlock and Earl Maulding. A Christmas Carol, the Musical follows Tiny Tim and the entire Cratchit family, as they join three unearthly "Spirits" in trying to convince Ebeneezer Scrooge to change his "Bah-Humbug" ways.

To encourage the "Spirit of Giving" during the theatre’s production of A Christmas Carol, the Musical, Actors’ Playhouse will give every child who brings a new, unwrapped toy to donate during a performance, one free Flexible Anytime Ticket good for any remaining show in the Musical Theatre for Young Audiences 2012-2013 Season. Last day to donate toys will be on Saturday, December 15. All donations will be delivered that evening to Neighbors 4 Neighbors for distribution to families in need.

Tickets are $20 for adults and children and can be ordered online at www.actorsplayhouse.org  or through the box office at 305.444.9293. Group rates are available for 15 people or more. Birthday parties and corporate group bookings for holiday events are welcome.

Select weekday 10 a.m. performances are available for pre-arranged fieldtrips and can be booked through the education department at educate@actorsplayhouse.org  or 305.444.9293 ext. 606. Actors’ Playhouse provides detailed study guides and a talkback with the cast for all weekday student performances.

LOVE ADDICT The Emotional Suicide Of FUNKdalena – Part of  The Third Season Of MICROTheater Miami
Sept. 14, 2012 – Oct 14, 2012, 8:00pm  – 11:00pm
Koubek Center
2705 SW 3rd Street
Miami 33135
www.funkdalena.com
 
FUNKdalena GOES PRIMETIME
 
After the huge success of the album release and standing room only special performance of Deborah Magdalena’s FUNKdalena, it should come to no surprise that its prequel LOVE ADDICT The Emotional Suicide Of FUNKdalena has been handpicked by MICROTHEATER Miami to be a part of their upcoming PRIMETIME line up.
 
Premiering on Friday September 14, MICROTHEATER Miami returns with its third season presenting more than 20 original short plays with the theme that is revolutionizing the world Love “Por Amor”. Making LOVE ADDICT a perfect fit.
 
This15- minute audience-interactive musical spoken-word dramedy is based on the poem LOVE ADDICT from Deborah’s chapbook, Heartbreak Haiku. LOVE ADDICT is set during a recovery meeting as FUNKdalena experiences an emotional suicide and spiritual redemption. The talented cast of Deborah Magdalena, her producing partner The Brass King and rotating guest artists will perform LOVE ADDICT six times per night in a five-week run at Miami DADE Community College’s historic Koubek Center as a part of MICROTHEATER Miami.
 
MICROTHEATER was created in Spain and is a theatrical festival presenting multiple short plays (15 minutes long each, in English or in Spanish) in compact black-box theaters for no more than 15 spectators at a time. With the support and participation of Miami Dade Community college MICROTHEATER will debut a new format on Thursday nights called MICRODEBUT with plays written, directed and starring MDCC theater students. MICROTHEATER PRIMETIME (Friday – Sunday) will consist of 9 short plays fully produced by the best and most seasoned actors and production companies known internationally. MICROTEATRO SESIÓN GOLFA features edgier  stories which will be perfect for Miami’s late night audiences.
 
With over 60 actors, writers and directors participating in this cultural event, LOVE ADDICT as the only English speaking play is sure to be a stand out. Join us and be a part of this unique and innovative theatrical movement.
 
Showtimes: 8:00, 8:30, 9:00, 9:30, 10:00 and 10:30.