CORAL GABLES (March 20, 2008) –A dark, delicious and strikingly clever whodunit comes to Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre in the form of the comedy thriller Thumbs, which runs May 7-25, 2008.

Thumbs is a smart and satirical mystery comedy that follows two equally cunning women, from two very different walks of life, who use all of their wit and will to survive a cat-and-mouse game with a devious killer. Thumbs leads its characters through this dark comedy as they try to catch a serial killer known as “Tom Thumb,” named for the peculiar signature of dismembering digits.

Master playwright Rupert Holmes wrote this exciting new thriller. Holmes is well known for his musicals, including the current Broadway musical Curtains. Actors’ Playhouse has a history with Holmes’ memorable work. He penned the thriller Accomplice, which Actors’ Playhouse produced in 1992, and also the best musical winner The Mystery of Edwin Drood, for which Actors’ Playhouse won a Carbonell Award. Holmes has also made a mark on pop culture as the writer of Escape (The PiÒa Colada Song).

“Thumbs is full of twists and turns,” Executive Producing Director Barbara Stein. “This is a show that will keep our audiences on their ‘thumbs’ from beginning to end.”

Artistic Director David Arisco sees Thumbs as a thrill for both the audience and his creative team.

“Thumbs is a terrific vehicle for two strong actresses, and I love Rupert Holmes' ability to parody the genre he is writing in,” Arisco said. “A piece like Thumbs allows for actors and a director to tackle nuance and walk that fine line between edge-of-your-seat thriller and you've-got-to-be-kidding funny. When you nail it, it is a real treat for the audience."

Artistic Director David Arisco has selected a talented and savvy cast to bring this mystery to life. Barbara Sloan is making her debut at Actors’ Playhouse as Marta Dunhill, a Hollywood diva wannabe. Sloan has been nominated for five Carbonell awards and has performed in numerous commercials and independent films. Last seen as Mme. Dindon at Actors’ Playhouse in the Carbonell-nominated La Cage Aux Folles, Angie Radosh takes on the role of the affable Sheriff Jane Morton. Radosh recently performed in The Fourth Wall, for which she received a Carbonell nomination for Best Supporting Actress. Allan Baker returns to Actors’ Playhouse as Freddie Bradshaw, Marta’s battered ex-husband. Baker was last seen as Caldwell B. Cladwell in Actors’ Playhouse’s production of Urinetown, and for the two years prior played FDR in the 30 year Anniversary National Tour of Annie. Also making his debut at Actors’ Playhouse is Zolan Henderson as Todd Monroe, Marta’s studly boyfriend. Henderson recently played Timmy Cleary in The Subject was Roses and Chris in Arthur Miller’s All My Sons. Rounding out the cast is Actors’ Playhouse Wayne Steadman as the fumbling Wilton Dekes. A Carbonell nominee for his performance as Sancho in Man of La Mancha at the Hollywood Playhouse, Steadman has been seen in the Actors’ Playhouse productions of Floyd Collins, Steel Pier, She Loves Me and Evita. Actors’ Playhouse’s award-winning creative team for Thumbs is made up of costume designer Ellis Tillman and set designer Gene Seyffer, with lighting design by Patrick Tennant and sound by Alexander Herrin.

Thumbs will preview at the Miracle Theatre May 7 and 8, open on May 9 and will play through May 25, 2008. Performances will be held Wednesday through Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. An additional Wednesday Matinee will be held May 14 at 2 p.m.

The talkback with the cast of Thumbs, lead by Artistic Director David Arisco, will take place following the production on Friday, May 16. The talkback event facilitates discussions between the audience and members of the cast and the production team. Talkbacks will include discussion of creative decisions, motivations and issues surrounding the show.

Ticket prices are $33 for preview performances, $38.50 for weeknights and matinees, and $46 for Friday and Saturday evenings. The Gala Opening Night on May 9 is $100 and includes a complimentary Bacardi bar and post-show refreshments sponsored by Special Events Catering by Les.

The theatre offers a 10 percent senior discount rate the day of performance excluding Saturday and Sunday, and $15 student rush tickets 15 minutes prior to curtain, with identification. All discounts are based on availability.

Group discount rates are offered for 15 or more. Theatre/dining packages are available with Coral Gables’ select restaurants through our group sales department. Single tickets may be purchased through the box office at 305-444-9293 or online at www.actorsplayhouse.org.

Actors’ Playhouse finishes its 20th Anniversary Mainstage season with Mid Life! The Crisis Musical (July 9 – August 10, 2008).

Actors’ Playhouse is pleased to announce its expansive and exciting 2008-2009 Season. Beginning the spectacular season is the Best Musical winner 1776 (Oct. 1-Nov. 2, 2008) followed by the new musical comedy Gutenberg! the Musical! (Dec. 3, 2008-Jan. 4). Continuing the season is the World Premiere musical Miami Bombshells The Musical (Jan. 14-Feb. 8, 2009). Les MisÈrables, the greatest musical ever written, crowns the season from Mar. 4-Apr. 5, 2009. The season continues with the Florida Premiere of Havana Bourgeois (May 6-June 7, 2009) and closes with the contemporary musical comedy Married Alive (July 8-Aug. 16, 2009).

The best way to guarantee seats to this exciting new season is to become a valued Actors’ Playhouse subscriber. Season subscriptions for the 2008-2009 Season are on sale now with prices ranging from †$174 for preview performances, $228 for Wednesday and Thursday evenings and Sunday†matinees, $264 for Friday and Saturday evenings, and $270 for VIP Flexible/Anytime tickets for premium seats in every performance. Opening Night Subscription, which includes invitation to a Gala party and Bacardi bar, are $432. Miracle Maker donor subscriptions, including two tickets to opening nights, donor acknowledgement, and two tickets to†the annual Reach for the Stars Gala Auction 2009 are $1250. Subscriptions for children 18 years and younger with a full paid adult subscription, and college students, are $102 (restrictions apply). All prices include handling charges and fees. Group rates are available for fifteen people or more through the group sales department. 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.

Actors’ Playhouse, the resident theatre company and managing agent of the Miracle Theatre, has an agreement with Actor’s Equity Association, the union of professional actors, New York. Under the leadership of Executive Producing Director Barbara S. Stein and Artistic Director David Arisco, Actors’ Playhouse is a Florida Presenting Cultural Organization, one of eight major Florida professional theatre companies, and one of twenty-two major cultural institutions in Miami Dade County. In addition to its Mainstage season, Actors’ Playhouse produces a year-round five-show season of Musical Theatre for Young Audiences, a National Children’s Theatre Festival, and a Theatre Conservatory and Summer Camp Program.

To become part of the Miracle as an Actors’ Playhouse subscriber, call 305.444.9293 or www.actorsplayhouse.org.