Tea at The Ritz: The PlayGround Theatre Rocks!

The PlayGround Theatre rocked The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach during Tea at The Ritz: The PlayGround Theatre Rocks! Louis Aguirre, the wildly popular anchor of WSVN Channel 7’s Deco Drive, served as Master of Ceremonies to a packed house of more than 330 guests.

Thanks to presenting sponsor The Fairholme Foundation and sponsors Best Buy Miami Beach, GAP, Neiman Marcus Coral Gables, Arts Connection, Selecta Magazine, U.S. Trust Bank of America Private Wealth Management, and especially Executive Chef Thomas Connell and the team at The Ritz-Carlton South Beach for supporting Tea at The Ritz.

It took an exciting and dedicated group of Chairmen to make this an unforgettable event: Mariela Cisneros Mestre, Kelly Gold, Wendy Levitz, Flavia Lowenstein, and Michelle Simkins Rubell along with Co-Chairmen: Audra Cherry, Sarah Harrelson, Ingrid Palmisano, and Jaleh Samway Bast.

The large Committee included: Andrena Felger, Ronda Fuchs, Jill Gersten-Stiss, Mariana Loumiet, Lily Pardo, Claudia Potamkin, Norma Quintero, Katharine Rubino, Stephanie Sayfie Aagaard, Janá Sigars-Malina, Jennifer Stearns-Buttrick, and Maggie Villacampa.

The highlight of the afternoon, the annual children’s tweens, and teens fashion show, featured 44 models wearing fashions from GAP, Coconut Grove boutique IOS and Kidding Around. Design students at DASH – The Design and Architecture Senior High School amped things up with a special runway presentation.

Tea at The Ritz: The PlayGround Theatre Rocks! was all about fast-paced, high energy entertainment for kids, featuring a video gaming extravaganza. Kids got to meet their favorite PlayGround Theatre actors; take pictures with friends in the photo-booths; custom design jewelry; and have their faces painted. Live! School of Music pumped up the volume with an amazing live set that had the entire house rockin’!

For the adults: a fantastic drawing with prizes from The Ritz-Carlton South Beach (a weekend at The Ritz-Carlton); Neiman Marcus Coral Gables (Prada 2010 Spring Collection leather handbag); GAP (gift certificates for GAP and Old Navy); and BEST BUY Miami Beach (six gaming consoles bundled with Guitar Hero, Rock Band or DJ Hero games). Bidding was hot for auction items that included a PlayGround Theatre walk-on role & a birthday party in The SandBox.

All proceeds from Tea at The Ritz: The PlayGround Theatre Rocks! benefit The PlayGround Theatre’s Education and Outreach Program. This program makes it possible to provide children of all ages with the magical experience of live theatre. To date, we’ve provided more than 75,000 free admissions for mostly low-income children.

Join us at The PlayGround Theatre for the classic Italian comedy, The Love of Three Oranges April 14 – May 23rd, 2010. Call the box office at 305-751-9550 x233, mention SocialEyes and get one free ticket (while supplies last).