CORAL GABLES (April 10, 2008) –Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre in Coral Gables was awarded the distinguished Bill Von Maurer Award for Theatrical Excellence at the 32nd Annual Carbonell Award Ceremony on April 7, 2008 at the Broward Center.

The Bill Von Maurer Award is given to the theater company that exemplifies excellence for the totality of its programming, including productions, educational outreach, developmental programs and audiences served. Actors’ Playhouse is only the second theatre company to receive this celebrated award.

“Actors’ Playhouse is grateful to the Carbonell Committee for acknowledging our contribution in the performing arts as this year’s recipient of the prestigious Bill Von Maurer Award,” said Executive Producing Director Barbara S. Stein. “We also applaud our creative team and all the nominees and winners of Carbonell Awards this year.”

Board Chairman Dr. Lawrence E. Stein remembers Bill Von Maurer as a real gentleman.

“Bill Von Maurer was a great journalist and a good friend and supporter of our theatre company,” Dr. Stein said. “We’re very proud that Actors’ Playhouse has made a cultural and economic difference in our community and also that we are able to provide outstanding community outreach to all individuals in South Florida.”

In addition to the Bill Von Maurer Award, Actors’ Playhouse was awarded four Carbonell awards for its work in the 2007-2008 Season. No stranger to the Carbonell Awards, Gary Marachek garnered a third win with his portrayal of Albin/Zaza in Actors’ Playhouse’s La Cage Aux Folles. Jim Ballard, a first-time nominee, won Best Supporting Actor for his role of Officer Lockstock in the Actors’ Playhouse production of Urinetown, the Musical. Rachel Jones, who was previously nominated for playing Eva Peron in Actors’ Playhouse’s Evita, won the Carbonell for Best Supporting Actress for her role of Penelope Pennywise in Urinetown. David Nagy scored a third award for Urinetown with his win for Best Musical Direction.

“With support like this from the theatre community, we can only hope to continue producing the highest caliber work for our South Florida audiences,” Barbara Stein said.

Actors’ Playhouse finishes its 2007-2008 Mainstage season with Mid Life! The Crisis Musical from July 9 – August 10, 2008.

The company is also 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, 2009). Continuing the season is the World Premiere musical 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).

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.