Actors’ Playhouse raises over $150,000 at annual gala
Notable guests, community members and theater supporters gathered Saturday, April 14, at the Miracle Theatre for the 21st Annual Reach for the Stars Gala Auction, presented by Actors’ Playhouse and Lexus of Kendall.
The major fundraiser for Actors’ Playhouse each year, the event raised more than $150,000, which will go to capital improvements and the operating costs of the Actors’ Playhouse 25th anniversary celebratory season in 2012-13.
“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,” said Executive Producing Director Barbara S. Stein, who co-hosted the event with founding board Chairman Dr. Lawrence Stein.
Over 600 guests attended the event, which featured over $300,000 worth of live and silent auction items up for bid. The evening’s gourmet dining was provided by 30 of Coral Gables’ finest restaurants, with an open bar sponsored by Barcardi and complimentary wine and champagne from Premier Beverage Co.
Celebrity guest auctioneer for his 21st year was South Florida’s own Bob Soper, CBS Miami’s former chief meteorologist, with the help of Actors’ Playhouse Artistic Director David Arisco.
Headlining this year’s auction was a 2012 Lexus RX 350 one-year lease from Lexus of Kendall. Additionally, live and silent auction items included luxury cruises courtesy of Seabourn and Azamara Club Cruises, exclusive trips to Little Palm Island and Atlantis Paradise Island, worldwide hotel travel courtesy of InterContinental Hotel Miami, exclusive celebrity wine dinners at popular South Florida restaurants, jewelry, golf packages, fine art, antiques, sports collectors items, spa visits, couture clothing and gift certificates.
Notable guests at this year’s event included president and presenting sponsor of Lexus of Kendall Chris Roberts and wife Tanya, Auction Chairman and Board Treasurer Dr. Lawrence Kessler and guest Sherri Sharon, Coral Gables Vice Mayor Bill Kerdyk Jr. and Commissioner Ralph Cabrera, Board Member Kevin J. and Trisha A. King, School Board Members Dr. Marta Perez and finance Chris Wolfe, Dr. Larry Feldman and wife Avis, and Betsy Kaplan, along with Former Coral Gables Mayors Don Slesnick and wife Jeannett, and Dorothy Thomson.
For more information visit http://www.actorsplayhouse.org/
