Regarded as one of the “most-prized cultural institutions in Miami-Dade County,” Actors’ Playhouse celebrates its silver anniversary in 2012-13.

Tickets recently went on sale for the six mainstage productions of the 25^th anniversary season, which will open at the Miracle Theatre Oct. 10 with Godspell.

“The last 24 years have proven our continued commitment to excellence,” said Artistic Director David Arisco. “Season 25 will feature hilarious comedies, poignant musicals and dramatic flair, our trademark eclectic mix of the best professional regional theater has to offer. My sincerest gratitude to all who have helped this organization reach its silver anniversary.”

Like the little engine that could, Actors’ Playhouse opened in a Kendall strip mall in 1988, survived Hurricane Andrew in 1992, then renovated and restored the historic Miracle Theatre, 280 Miracle Mile, into a three-stage performing arts center in 1995 in partnership with the city of Coral Gables.

One of 22 major cultural organizations in Miami-Dade County, and the largest self-producing company for Mainstage and Children’s Theatre in South Florida, Actors’ Playhouse has made its mark by providing artistic excellence, building community partnerships, and developing a new generation of theatre supporters through entertaining and engaging programs.

Over the years Actors’ Playhouse has been nominated for 256 Carbonell Awards and has brought home 71. Its Children’s Theatre is continually acknowledged as “Best of the Best” with the Kids Crown Award presented by South Florida Parenting Magazine, and its leaders are recognized for their business and artistic excellence.

“Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre is one of our most-prized cultural institutions in Miami-Dade County, producing outstanding theatrical and educational programs for the community,” said Michael Spring, director of the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs. “We are extremely proud of their stellar achievements over the years as one of South Florida’s leading and award-winning theater companies.”

Opening the Silver Anniversary season Oct. 10 and continuing through Nov. 4 is Godspell, the timeless story of friendship, loyalty and love told through a sparkling score by Stephen Schwartz, the Grammy and Academy Award-winning composer of Wicked and Pippin. One of the most enduring shows of all time, Godspell has touched the hearts of countless theatergoers all over the world and has just finished an updated run on Broadway. Full of energy and excitement and filled with popular hits such as Day by Day, Learn Your Lesson’s Well and Turn Back, O Man, Godspell will be a musical experience for the entire family.

The second show of the season (Dec. 5-30) will be The Last Five Years by the award-winning composer Jason Robert Brown. The musical is a contemporary song cycle that ingeniously chronicles the five-year life of a marriage, from meeting to breakup or from break up to meeting, depending on how you look at it. Based on the author’s personal story, this musical from the composer of Songs From A New World will be an artistic treat for South Florida audiences.

Kicking off the new year (Jan. 16-Feb. 10), Other Desert Cities, the funny and searing play by Jon Robin Baitz, the creator of TV’s Brothers & Sisters. Other Desert Cities received universal acclaim in its off-Broadway debut at Lincoln Center Theater and recently completed a successful run on Broadway. In Other Desert Cities, Brooke Wyeth, a once promising novelist, returns home after a six-year absence to celebrate Christmas in Palm Springs with her parents, former members of the Reagan inner circle, her brother and her aunt. When Brooke announces she is about to publish a memoir focusing on an explosive chapter in the family’s history, the holiday reunion is thrown into turmoil as the Wyeths struggle to come to terms with their past. Touted as “the best new play on Broadway” by The New York Times, this scintillating drama about a family pushed to the brink balances comedy and intense drama with rich dialogue and finely crafted characters.

As in previous years, Actors’ Playhouse has the first regional licensing rights to one of Broadway’s newest musicals In The Heights, playing March 6-April 7, with music and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda and book by Quiara Alegia Hudes. The four-time Tony Award-winner, including best musical, tells the universal story of a vibrant community in New York’s Washington Heights neighborhood, 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.

“In The Heights is the West Side Story for this generation,” said Executive Producing Director Barbara S. Stein. “This production is the perfect show to celebrate the unique diversity of our own South Florida community, where the importance of family ties and being faithful to your heritage is most important.”

Playing May 8-June 2 will be the phenomenal comedy The Fox On The Fairway, written by Ken Ludwig, author of the farce Lend Me A Tenor. It all takes place at the Quail Valley Country Club with a hilarious romp where mistaken identities, slamming doors and outrageous romantic shenanigans rule. Full of surprises, twists and turns, The Fox On The Fairway is a charmingly madcap adventure about love, life and man’s eternal love affair — with golf.

Rated P for Parenthood rounds out the silver anniversary season from July 10-Aug. 11. A new musical revue chronicling the 21st century joys and frustrations of raising children, Rated P for Parenthood  covers everything from bleary-eyed, late-night feedings and private school kindergarten interviews, to nail-biting driving lessons and prom night. Whether the audience is in the midst of those parenting years or if those days are a distant memory, Rated P for Parenthood is sure to touch a chord with guests of all ages, eliciting chuckles of recognition and maybe even a tear or two of remembrance.

Patrons can celebrate Actors’ Playhouse’s 25^th anniversary season with a season subscription to all six shows; prices ranging from $185 to $279. Opening night subscription, which includes invitations to gala opening nights and open Bacardi Bar, are $435. Miracle Maker donor subscriptions, including two tickets to gala opening nights, donor acknowledgement, and invitations to special events, including the 25th anniversary season opening celebration, are $1,250. Subscriptions for children 18 years and younger with a full paid adult subscription, and college students, are $105 (restrictions apply). All prices include handling charges and fees.

Actors’ Playhouse subscribers receive guaranteed best seating and pricing, lost ticket insurance, generous membership benefits to Coral Gables’ finest restaurants and discounts on single tickets, among other benefits.

To become a part of the Miracle as an Actors’ Playhouse subscriber, call 305-444-9293 or order online at www.actorsplayhouse.org.