Actors’ Playhouse Celebrates the Platinum Anniversary of the Annual Reach for the Stars Gala Auction

Notable guests and theatre supporters gathered at the historic Miracle Theatre in Coral Gables for the platinum celebration of the 20th Annual Reach for the Stars Gala Auction presented by Actors’ Playhouse and Lexus of Kendall. Since it began as a small fundraising event in 1991, the Reach for the Stars Gala Auction has become one of The City Beautiful’s most extravagant events of the year. This year more than $130,000 was raised for capital improvements of the Miracle Theatre and the operating expenses of Actors’ Playhouse 2011 -2012 Season.

Hosted by Founding Board Chairman Dr. Lawrence Stein and Executive Producing Director Barbara S. Stein, over 600 guests attended and participated in the live and silent auctions featuring over $350,000 worth of items. The evening’s gourmet dining was provided by 33 of Coral Gables’ finest restaurants, with an open bar sponsored by Bacardi and complimentary wine and champagne from Premier Beverage Co. Celebrity guest auctioneer for his 20th year was South Florida’s own Bob Soper, CBS4’s former chief meteorologist, with the help of Actors’ Playhouse Artistic Director David Arisco.

“Actors’ Playhouse is a very fortunate organization to have so many wonderful patrons and sponsors, who for many years have invested their friendship and support of our organization. We are grateful beyond measure for our cherished relationships with our supporters and we thank them from the bottom of our hearts,” says Executive Producing Director Barbara S. Stein.

Headlining this year’s auction was a one-year least on a 2011 Lexus RX 350 from Lexus of Kendall. Live and silent auction items included Air Berlin Business Class tickets to Europe, worldwide hotel travel courtesy of InterContinental Miami, exclusive celebrity wine dinners at popular restaurants, jewelry, golf packages, fine art, antiques, sports memorabilia, spa visits, couture clothing and gift certificates.

Guests included Chris Roberts, GM of Lexus of Kendall; Auction Chairman and Board Treasurer Dr. Lawrence Kessler; Eddie and Randi Cutillas of Bacardi, U.S.A.; Kristina Harmon of Air Berlin; Norma Jean Abraham; Marc and Madeline Auerbach; Kevin and Trisha King; and dignitaries Senator Gwen Margolis, Miami-Dade Commissioner Sally Heyman, School Board Member Dr. Marta Perez, and former Coral Gables Mayor Dorothy Thomson with husband Jack.

In addition to Presenting Sponsor Lexus of Kendall, this year’s event was sponsored by Platinum Sponsors, Air Berlin and InterContinental Hotels & Resorts; Gold Sponsors, Azamara Club Cruises, Bacardi U.S.A., The Biltmore Hotel, ClubMed, AT&T The Real Yellow Pages and Seabourn.

Silver Sponsors included Doral Golf Resort & Spa, Continental Connection, Alberto Romeu Studio, Assurant, AroundTown Magazine, Atlantis Paradise Island, Bravo Musicians, Christina’s Party Rentals, Bradford Renaissance Portraits, Frame & Crate, Gables Gems, Hyatt Regency Coral Gables, Marlins Ballpark, MiaCucina, Premier Beverage Company, Dr. Siegal’s Cookie Diet, Solo Printing, Steinway & Sons, The Westin Colonnade Coral Gables, Zip Mailer, Inc. and artists Clifford Bailey, Carlos Navarro, Gapal, Cynthia Coulombe, Jama, Carbonell, Ed King, and Fer Sucre.

Gala VIP Sponsors included Baptist Health South Florida, Florida Power & Light, AT&T and Kevin J. King & Tricia A. King; VIP Sponsors were Donna Abood, Norma Jean Abraham, Marc & Madeline Auerbach, BAC Florida Bank, Banco Popular, BankAtlantic, Bank of Coral Gables, Cherry, Bekaert & Holland, LLP, Coral Gables Community Foundation, Esserman Automotive Group, Greenberg Traurig, LLP, Gulliver Schools, International Finance Bank, Kahn Carlin & Co., PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, TotalBank, U.S. Century Bank, and Waste Management.