Playwright Honors Coral Gables' 100th Birthday With a Personal Tale of the City

In 1925, Miami had a distinct appearance with fewer structures and significantly more swampy wetlands. During this period, prohibition was strictly enforced, and there was an unprecedented surge in property development that would likely eclipse modern real estate trends. This was also when the city of Coral Gables officially became incorporated.

To commemorate the City Beautiful’s 100th anniversary, the Actors' Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre is presenting "Greetings From Paradise," a special five-performance run of a theatrical event created by June Thomson Morris. This show aims to take viewers on a journey through time.

The performance set to debut on Tuesday recounts the transformation of Miami during the real estate surge of the 1920s, which dramatically altered the urban scenery. This production draws comparisons between the ventures of George Merrick, founder of Coral Gables, and Carl Fisher, instrumental in developing modern-day Miami Beach.

Hiding behind the narrative of these two prominent real estate figures lies a tale of romance involving a young woman from Indiana who embarks on a journey via train to rendezvous with a lad in Miami. While Lucy and Robert’s connection deepens, the metropolis surrounding them also evolves.

The narrative holds special significance for playwright Morris as the characters of Lucy and Robert are inspired by her grandparents.

As a young girl, I listened to the tale of Miami’s growth as recounted by my grandmother herself. She shared with me how she boarded a train when she was just 19 years old, way back in 1924, leaving behind her quaint hometown in Indiana. She traveled along Henry Flagler’s East Coast Railway all the way to Miami... simply to reunite with a man whom she had encountered at a dance in Indianapolis.

Although Morris has long wished to pen the tale of how her grandparents met and became enamored with each other, she has simultaneously harbored a deep interest in Florida’s past.

I've always found the tale of the massive Florida real estate bubble in 1925 fascinating," states Morris. "I also really appreciate that my grandparents were a part of this historical event.

By profession, she is a journalist (having obtained a Master’s degree from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism and having worked in broadcast news across various TV stations nationwide as both an anchor and reporter). This background has made Morris acutely aware of the significance of factual accuracy and thorough research. It took her almost a full year to amass extensive data about Miami’s past; during this time, she meticulously reviewed numerous books and archival records. Once she had gathered sufficient resources, Morris mentions that writing became easy for her—when she finally began penning the narrative, everything flowed smoothly.

I could almost hear the characters speaking inside my mind," Morris remarks with a cheerful grin spreading across her face. "My main objective with this production is to vividly portray Florida’s past. We're discussing the Magic City, and I find it surprising that so many individuals haven’t encountered the story of Miami or possess only minimal knowledge about it.

Thomson has some knowledge about Coral Gables. Her mother, Dorothy Thomson, created history by becoming the city’s first and sole female mayor during its initial century.

David Arisco, the artistic director at Actors' Playhouse, who is overseeing "Greetings From Paradise," praises Morris' narrative abilities. He remembers that when she initially presented him with an early draft of the script roughly two years back, he recognized immediately that this work held extraordinary promise.

"I found this project quite intriguing, and I genuinely desired to participate, particularly because of the Miracle Theatre’s central location in downtown Coral Gables and its centennial celebration," states Arisco.

In the following two years, they would refine the script together. Interestingly, their planned debut on April 29 could not have been more fitting as it coincided precisely with the date when the City of Coral Gables was established back in 1925.

It’s an excellent performance," states Arisco. "I believe this is a narrative that deserves to be shared.

He likens it to viewing a theatrical documentary. "This production includes aspects reminiscent of documentaries yet simultaneously feels like a stage performance. We have an excellent ensemble to narrate this tale."

Arisco goes on, "Our narrative includes encounters with figures such as George Merrick and Carl Fisher, along with Doc Dammers [Edward 'Doc' Dammers served as the inaugural mayor of Coral Gables]. Although our tale primarily focuses on Coral Gables, since both Merrick and Fisher were active during overlapping periods, we decided it would be engaging to touch upon some aspects of the Miami Beach story too. This way, they can appear as twin innovators who achieved remarkable feats."

Actor Gregg Weiner, who was last featured in Miami New Drama’s production of "Lincoln Road Hustle," portrays Fisher and characterizes him as someone addicted to thrills. Besides contributing to the development of Miami Beach, Fisher played a key role in establishing both the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the Indy 500 event. His passion for velocity and adoration from others were well-known aspects of his personality.

"He was a large individual who took great pride in himself," notes Weiner. "He enjoyed being noticed and had a penchant for risky endeavors." Drawing from his investigations and discussions with Morris, Weiner crafted his portrayal of Fisher.

The actor remarks, "We witness him at the peak of his success. He has created something from scratch, which amazes me, and he genuinely values all of his achievements."

"Hello from Paradise" marks Morris' first theatrical production. She shares her intention to expand the script into a complete feature film as she continues to explore narratives centered around Miami's growth.

After completing this task, I intend to return to the screenplay and maybe author a book where I can delve deeper into Miami’s history with complete honesty," states Morris. "The narrative of my grandparents is something I've long wished to share, yet now seems like an opportune moment to narrate a more comprehensive and accurate account, which I aspire to accomplish next.

If you go:

WHAT: "Greetings From Paradise" by June Thomson Morris

WHERE: Actors' Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre, located at 280 Miracle Mile in Coral Gables,

WHEN: 6 p.m. on Tuesday (exclusive Centennial Gala showing, with limited seats available); 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Thursday, May 1st, and Friday, May 2nd; at noon on Saturday, May 3rd.

COST: Ticket prices for regular shows range from $65 to $75, which covers a $10 service charge.

INFORMATION: (305) 444-9293 or actorsplayhouse.org .

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