By Coral Gables Gazette staff

The curtain rises on a new chapter at Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre will host ‘The Greatest Show On The Mile,’ a gala and theatrical celebration honoring the dedication of the newly named Dr. Lawrence and Barbara Stein Center for the Performing Arts this Saturday, October 4.

The evening will pay tribute to the Steins’ 38 years of visionary leadership, philanthropic generosity, and enduring commitment to building Actors’ Playhouse into one of South Florida’s premier cultural institutions. In recognition of their transformative impact, the Miracle Theatre will come alive with live performances, immersive dining, and a sense of gratitude that spans nearly four decades of community and stagecraft.

A night at the theatre—on the stage itself

Unlike traditional gala fundraisers, The Greatest Show On The Mile promises a fully immersive theatrical experience. The evening begins at 6:00 p.m. with cocktails, followed by a five-course dinner served directly on the mainstage of the Miracle Theatre—a rare and intimate perspective for patrons, donors, and longtime supporters.

The program includes a dazzling one-night-only performance bringing together a constellation of Actors’ Playhouse alumni and stars from Broadway and beyond. The event will also raise funds for a significant 2026 renovation project: the installation of 600 brand-new seats in the Miracle Theatre’s Mainstage auditorium, celebrating the 30th anniversary of the historic venue’s rebirth as a three-stage cultural anchor in Coral Gables.

Hosted by Danny Pino, celebrating hometown roots

Headlining the gala is Danny Pino, the Miami-born television star known for roles in Law & Order: SVU, Cold Case, and Mayans M.C.. Returning to his hometown for this milestone event, Pino will guide the evening as host, adding charisma, warmth, and Hollywood gravitas to the festivities.

Joining him is an impressive lineup of Actors’ Playhouse alumni, including:

• Janet Dacal (In the Heights, The Band’s Visit)
• Stephen Christopher Anthony (Dear Evan Hansen, The Book of Mormon)
• Irene Adjan (Ragtime, Murder on the Orient Express)
• Jim Ballard (Bright Star, Million Dollar Quartet)
• Kimberly Doreen Burns, Reggie Whitehead, Jeni Hacker, Dom Scott, Lindsey Corey, and renowned musical director Eric Alsford.

Together, this ensemble of talent represents the artistic heart and soul of Actors’ Playhouse, each returning to celebrate the Steins’ enduring legacy and the institution they helped shape.

Honoring the Steins: Four decades of vision and generosity

The evening marks the official naming of the Dr. Lawrence and Barbara Stein Center for the Performing Arts, a tribute that recognizes not just financial gifts, but decades of dedication to local theatre and cultural advancement. Since the mid-1980s, the Steins have served as champions of the arts in Coral Gables—helping guide the transformation of the Miracle Theatre from a shuttered movie house into a cornerstone of live performance in South Florida.

Actors’ Playhouse CEO and producing artistic director Barbara Stein has long been regarded as a visionary force behind the company’s growth and national acclaim. Her leadership, alongside her husband Dr. Lawrence Stein’s tireless support, has created a legacy of artistic excellence, educational outreach, and community impact that spans generations.

A gala with purpose

Beyond the celebration, the gala also carries a practical mission: proceeds from the evening will support the 2026 installation of 600 new seats in the Miracle Theatre’s Mainstage. This upgrade is more than aesthetic—it’s part of a long-range plan to enhance comfort, accessibility, and patron experience, as the theatre approaches its 30th anniversary as a fully renovated venue in partnership with the City of Coral Gables.

If you go…

📍 Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre, 280 Miracle Mile, Coral Gables
🗓 Saturday, October 4
🕕 6:00 p.m. – Cocktails, dinner, and live performances
🎟 Purchase tickets

As the spotlight falls on the Steins and their legacy, The Greatest Show On The Mile promises to be more than a tribute—it will be a celebration of the community they built, the artists they nurtured, and the theatre they helped define.

It’s not just a gala. It’s a show. And it’s one Coral Gables will remember.