To celebrate its 10th anniversary at the Miracle Theatre in Coral Gables, the Actors' Playhouse put on a peachy keen Decade Doo-Wop Sock-Hop fund-raiser to coincide with the closing night of its production of Grease.
Barbara Stein, executive producing director, and committee chairwoman Jeannett Slesnick and chairman Neal Stebbing took advantage of having the musical in town and produced a 50's-themed event. "We decided this theme would be a great way to involve the cast and capture the spirit of Grease in a relaxed and casual event. The sock hop idea was one of the best decisions we have ever made," Stein said.
During the cocktail hour, 250 Playhouse members, supporters, and city officials gathered in the courtyard of the Biltmore Hotel, transformed with classic cars and hit songs of the era. The greasers and bobby soxers, dressed in saddle shoes, poodle skirts, and leather jackets, posed next to the cars and received their commemorative photos on the spot from Party Time DJs. The hotel's catering department had two food stations with mini drive-in staples: hamburgers, french fries, pizza, and macaroni and cheese. But instead of milkshakes, Bacardi served up wine and cocktails from two bars.
Lynn Shapiro of Parties by Lyn swathed the entrance to the ballroom with pink satin and a sign that read "Beauty School Knockout"—playing off the song "Beauty School Dropout" from the show. The signature color of the musical's Pink Ladies was everywhere—from the hot pink and black table linens by Elegant Touch to the flowerpot centerpieces made of cupcakes from Edda's Cake Designs. The tables featured other nostalgic accents, such as glass Coca-Cola bottles, Studebaker-shaped chocolates by Le Chocolatier, and ice cream cone-shaped cookies from Chocolate Fashion Bakery. The Coral Gables High School cheerleaders greeted guests and introduced the night's M.C.s, WTVJ NBC 6's reporter Kelly Craig and weatherman Lonnie Quinn.
After a brief speech by Playhouse founder Dr. Lawrence E. Stein, guests enjoyed a three-course meal prepared by the hotel more appropriate for a high-end restaurant than a diner. It included mixed green salad with blue cheese dressing, choice of prime rib with bordelaise sauce or salmon with a lemon butter sauce, and sides of scalloped potato casserole, French beans, and baby carrots. For dessert, Cold Stone Creamery served sundaes with chocolate syrup and sprinkles. Roxy Productions kept it rockin' around the clock with popular 50's tunes.
The night was capped with the Grease cast performing songs from the musical. Other highlights included a hand jive contest and a performance of doo-wop quartet Cappellapop.
—Vanessa Goyanes
The Actors' Playhouse celebrated its 10th anniversary with a 1950's themed Decade Doo-Wop Sock-Hop benefit at the Biltmore Hotel.
Hot pink and black linens dressed tables, which included cupcake centerpieces from Edda's Cake Designs.
Doo-wop quartet Cappellapop added to the evening's nostalgia.
During cocktails, the Biltmore's caterers stacked mini hamburgers and french fries for guests to munch on.
