Coral Gables' Reach For the Stars Gala

15th Annual Reach for the Stars Gala Auction
At Actors' Playhouse Raises More Than $175,000

CORAL GABLES (April 24, 2006)- Nearly 600 friends and supporters of the Actors' Playhouse gathered at the Miracle Theatre Saturday evening April 22nd for the 15th Annual Reach for the Stars Gala Auction. Hosted by Chairman of the Board Dr. Lawrence E. Stein and Executive Producing Director Barbara S. Stein, the auction was held at the restored Art Deco Miracle Theatre, located at 280 Miracle Mile in Coral Gables. Barbara Stein announced to the guests that this year's auction was dedicated to the memory of the Honorable John Cosgrove, a long-time theatre friend and donor. Mayor Donald Slesnick of Coral Gables also shared his thoughts about John's outstanding long-time public service career. 

Bob Soper, formerly of CBS 4, returned to Miami from retirement to serve as celebrity guest auctioneer for his 15th auction with the theatre. Bob was joined by Actors' Playhouse Artistic Director David Arisco for the live auction, which raised more than $175,000 for the theatre's endowment program. 

Special guests at the auction included Coral Gables Mayor Donald Slesnick and wife Jeannett Slesnick, Phillis Oeters of Baptist Health South Florida, Lourdes Rey-Wilson of TotalBank with husband Jeff, Roland Rodriguez of Jackson Memorial Foundation, Marc Auerbach, Esq. and wife Madeline, Ronald and Charlene Esserman, Former Mayor of Coral Gables Dorothy Thomson and husband Jack, Commissioner Sally Heyman, Chris Roberts of Lexus of Kendall, Former City Commissioner Bill Kerdyk, Sr., and wife Marlene, Dr. Larry Kessler, and Ricardo Gonzalez of Beaux Art Gallery, among others. 

The BAC Florida Live Auction was proceeded by a silent auction and dinner provided by 30 of the areas best restaurants including Anacapri, Brasserie Les Halles, Cacao, Catering by Lovables, Christy's, Chocolate Fashion, Cold Stone Creamery, Edda's Cake Designs, Fleming's Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar, Jake's Bar & Grill, John Martin's Irish Pub & Restaurant, Junior's Catering, Lan Pan Asian Café, Le Chocolatier, Los Ranchos, Norman Brothers Produce, Norman's Restaurant, Ortanique, St. Michel, Ruth's Chris, Special Events Catering by Les, Starbucks Coffee, Tambo, Tarpon Bend, The Palm, Tropical Chinese Restaurant, and Two Sisters at the Hyatt. A Bacardi Bar and champagne and wine sponsored by Premier Beverage Co. complimented the tasting stations.

Major auction corporate donors include Intercontinental Hotels, Miami, Lufthansa Airlines, Norwegian Cruise Line, Lexus of Kendall, Hyatt Regency Coral Gables, The Real Yellow Pages, Florida Marlins, the Biltmore Hotel, Aeromexico, Alexander Victor Fine Art, Amtrak, Assurant, Atlantis Paradise Island, Islands of the Bahamas, Bacardi U.S.A, Beaux Art Collections, Bravo Musicians, Britto Central, Cayman Islands, Cayman Airways, ClubMed, Continental Connection, Fernando Sucre, Frame & Crate, Florida Party & Tent Rental, Gables Gems, The Home Ranch, Intercontinental Marble, Jamaica Tourist Board, Lister Jewelers, Montica Jewelry, Photo Offset Printing & Graphics, Premier Beverage Co. and Zip Mailer. 

"The Reach for the Stars Gala Auction is a significant fund raising event for Actors' Playhouse each year. We are fortunate to have so many dedicated and caring sponsors who want our organization to continue to grow and present the highest caliber of professional theatre in the community," says Executive Producing Director Barbara S. Stein. " Our sponsors are the heart and soul of our organization and their support is greatly appreciated by Actors' Playhouse and the community at large."   For further information call 305-444-9293 or visit the theatre's website at www.actorsplayhouse.org.

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