Nicknamed The Magic City, its rapid transformation from a swampy wilderness to a bustling metropolis captured the imagination of dreamers and pioneers alike. In the 1920s, my grandparents, Lucy and Robert Thomson, were among those who rode Henry Flagler’s East Coast Railway south in search of opportunity—arriving just in time for the Great Florida Land Boom of 1925. I grew up hearing my grandmother’s stories about that time, and I carried them with me throughout my life. During the pandemic, when the world stood still, I finally sat down to write the story I always knew I wanted to tell.
A True Miami Love Story Told on Stage
Few places in the world are as culturally diverse and vibrantly alive as Miami.
Bringing History to Life
Greetings from Paradise is an 80-minute, one-act stage play inspired by my grandparents’ journey. But it’s also a window into a defining era of South Florida’s history.
Their story unfolds against the backdrop of a city on the rise, shaped by ambitious visionaries like:
Carl Fisher – The mastermind behind Miami Beach
George Merrick – The visionary who designed Coral Gables
Edward ‘Doc’ Dammers – A key figure in South Florida’s early development
Through their ambition—and the struggles that followed—Miami transformed into a symbol of opportunity, resilience, and reinvention. The play captures the land boom, the bust, and the 1926 hurricane that reshaped the region in dramatic fashion, as seen through the eyes of the newcomers who lived it.
Join Us for This Historic Event
I invite you to experience this story at the Centennial Celebration event hosted by the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the City of Coral Gables’ 100th Anniversary. Details for this exclusive evening are below.
Opening Night VIP Experience
April 29, 2025
Miracle Theatre
280 Miracle Mile, Coral Gables, FL 33134
5:00 p.m. | Pre-Show Reception
6:00 p.m. | Premiere Performance: Greetings from Paradise
7:30 p.m. | Q&A with the Playwright – June Thomson Morris
8:00 p.m. | Black Tie or 1920s-themed Dinner on Miracle Mile with Celebrity Chefs
VIP tickets and dinner reservations are available through the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce.
General Performances
Single tickets for all other performances are available at the Miracle Theatre through the Actors Playhouse beginning Wednesday, April 30, through Saturday, May 3. Group rates are available for parties of 10 or more, and tickets can be reserved by phone at (305) 444-9293.
Let’s Connect
Follow along for updates, behind-the-scenes insights, and more storytelling adventures.
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