CORAL GABLES (April 17, 2007) – On Saturday, April 14, notable guests, community members, and theatre supporters gathered at the Miracle Theatre in Coral Gables for the 16th Annual ‘Reach for the Stars’ Gala Auction presented by Actors' Playhouse and Lexus of Kendall.

Hosted by Founding Board Chairman Dr. Lawrence and Barbara Stein, executive producing director, 500 guests were dressed to impress at this formal affair that featured over $300,000 worth of live and silent auction items up for bid. Preceded by dinner provided by 30 of Coral Gables’ finest restaurants and an open Bacardi Bar, it was an evening full of entertainment. Guest auctioneer was South Florida’s own Bob Soper formerly of WFOR Channel 4 TV with the help of Artistic Director David Arisco.

The popular auction is the major fundraising event for Actors' Playhouse each year. This year’s funds of $165,000 will be dedicated to capital projects and enhancement to the theatre’s endowment fund.

Headlining this year’s auction was a one-year lease for a 2008 Lexus RX350. Additionally, live and silent auction items included international airline tickets, hotel travel packages and cruises, dinners at popular South Florida restaurants, jewelry, golf packages, fine art, sports collectors items, personal trainer services, spa visits, designer and hand-tailored clothing, membership gift certificates and other items.

Notable guests at this year’s event included Chris Roberts, General Manager of presenting sponsor Lexus of Kendall; the Honorable Leonard Glick and wife Dianne, Senator Gwen Margolis, School Board Member Dr. Marta Perez and fiance Chris Wolfe, Commissioner Sally Heyman, Auction Chairman and Board Treasurer Dr. Larry Kessler, Sio Lindner of Bacardi, U.S.A; as well as many other theatre sponsors, renowned chefs, and community figures.

Platinum sponsors include Lufthansa Airlines who donate Business Class Tickets; InterContinental Hotels & Resorts who have given packages at resorts worldwide and Norwegian Cruise Line who donate luxury cruises in Europe, Hawaii, and Alaska. Gold sponsors include the Florida Marlins offering valuable memorabilia and exclusive box seating, Bellsouth Yellow Pages, and the David Schor Gallery. Other major sponsors include Aeromexico, Alexander Victor Fine Art, Amtrak, Assurant Solutions, Atlantis Paradise Island, Bacardi U.S.A., Islands of the Bahamas, Beaux Arts Gallery, Bravo Musicians, Romero Britto, Cayman Airways, Cayman Islands, Celebrity Cruises, Continental Connection, Fer Sucre, Gables Gems, Samuel Getz Private Jewelers & Designers, The Home Ranch, Humberto Benitez, Hyatt Regency, Intercontinental Marble, Jamaica, Premier Beverage, Soundworthy Entertainment Corp., Star Clippers, Vista Color, Weston Colonnade Coral Gables, Windjammer Barefoot Cruises, Zip Mailer Inc., and others.

Participating restaurants included Anacapri on the Mile, Brasserie Les Halles, Cacao Restaurant, Catering by Lovables, Chocolate Fashion, Christy’s Restaurant, Cold Stone Creamery, CrepeMaker, Edda’s Cake Designs, Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar, Hoja Nueva at the Westin Commonade, Jake’s Bar & Grill, John Martin’s Irish Pub & Restaurant, Parri…JA, La Cofradia, Le Chocolatier, Norman’s Restaurant, Ortanique on the Mile, Peppy’s Gourmet Italian, Restaurant St. Michel, Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Special Events Catering by Les, Starbucks, Tarpon Bend, The Palm Restaurant, Tropical Chinese, Two Sisters at the Hyatt Regency, Yuga Restaurant.