Best Live Theater: Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre

The lights dim, the curtain rises and one of Coral Gables’ most treasured cultural institutions comes to life. Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre has helped make Miracle Mile a destination for live entertainment, bringing professional theatrical productions to a landmark building that has become inseparable from the city’s cultural identity. Whether audiences arrive for a Broadway-style musical, a dramatic production or a performance designed for younger theatergoers, the experience begins with the anticipation that only live theater can create.

Established in 1988 by Dr. Lawrence and Barbara Stein, Actors’ Playhouse eventually found its permanent home in the historic Miracle Theatre through a partnership with the City of Coral Gables. The restoration transformed the former movie house into a professional performing arts venue while preserving an important piece of the city’s architectural history. Its revival also contributed to the renewed vitality of downtown Coral Gables, demonstrating how the arts can help strengthen an entire commercial district.

Today, Actors’ Playhouse presents a varied theatrical program that includes musicals, contemporary dramas, comedies and productions for children and families. The organization has earned numerous Carbonell Awards for artistic excellence, reflecting its longstanding contribution to South Florida’s professional theater community. Its intimate and larger performance spaces accommodate productions of different scales, allowing audiences to experience everything from ambitious musical theater to more personal dramatic storytelling.

Equally important is the theater’s commitment to education. Children’s productions, conservatory classes, youth programs and community outreach introduce new generations to the performing arts. Young performers have opportunities to develop confidence, creativity and stage skills, while families gain access to live cultural experiences close to home. The theater’s educational mission makes it more than an entertainment venue. It is a place where artistic talent is cultivated and shared.

For its professional productions, historic setting, educational commitment and enduring contribution to the cultural life of Coral Gables, Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre is the Coral Gables Gazette’s selection for Best Live Theater.