Bringing Miami’s Past to Life: June Morris and Her Journey to Greetings from Paradise
Miami is a city of reinvention—a place where dreamers have come for over a century, lured by sun-drenched shores and the promise of something greater. However, few people know just how wild and thrilling the city’s earliest days were. That’s where June Thomson Morris comes in.
Morris, a multiple Emmy-winning journalist, storyteller, and Miami native, has spent her life uncovering and preserving history through the power of narrative. Her latest project, Greetings from Paradise, is more than a play—it’s a time machine, transporting audiences back to the roaring 1920s, when Miami was booming, fortunes were being made (and lost), and the idea of paradise was up for grabs.
On April 29, 2025, Greetings from Paradise will premiere as the marquee event for Coral Gables’ 100th Anniversary at the Actors’ Playhouse, kicking off a four-night run at the renowned Miracle Theatre. But this isn’t just any opening night. The Centennial Celebration’s exclusive VIP experience invites guests to immerse themselves in the era with a pre-show reception, an intimate Q&A with Morris, and a dazzling black-tie, 1920s-themed gala dinner on Miracle Mile, featuring celebrity chefs. It’s set to be one of the most anticipated cultural events of the year. Book your reservation for Opening Night Dinner Theater online through the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce.
For Morris, Greetings from Paradise is deeply personal. The play is inspired by the true story of her grandparents, Lucy Mae and Robert Thomson, whose lives intersected with some of the most influential figures in early Miami. Morris grew up listening to her grandmother’s stories about how, at just 19, she boarded Henry Flagler’s Florida East Coast Railway and traveled alone from Indiana to Miami—something not many 19-year-olds do. Waiting for Lucy at the station was Morris’ grandfather, a man Lucy barely knew. That moment changed everything—not just for Lucy, but for the whole family and for the city itself.
Their love story unfolds against the backdrop of Miami’s explosive growth in the 1920s. Audiences will “meet” the real-life visionaries who shaped South Florida—George Merrick, the mastermind behind Coral Gables; Carl Fisher, the driving force behind Miami Beach; and Edward ‘Doc’ Dammers, a key figure in Miami’s early development.
The 80-minute, one-act play brings this history to life in a fast-paced, visually stunning production, capturing the ambition, excess, and resilience of the people who built Miami. It’s a story about risk, love, and the pursuit of something bigger than yourself – something that is still true about Miami today.
A Life Built on Storytelling
Morris’ career has always been about capturing and sharing powerful stories. A Northwestern University Medill School of Journalism graduate, she spent years as a television anchor and reporter, covering major national events for NBC and ABC. Her work earned her regional Emmy Awards and Press Club honors, but she always knew she wanted to do more than just report history—she wanted to preserve it.
Her storytelling expertise eventually led her to a second career in video production and marketing, developing impactful campaigns for The Allen Morris Company and South Florida nonprofits. She also founded Friends of Gables High, an initiative dedicated to preserving Coral Gables Senior High School, where she once produced a viral video that spurred action to improve the school’s conditions.
A Celebration of Miami’s Centennial
As Greetings from Paradise prepares to take the stage, the excitement is palpable. The Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce and the City of Coral Gables have chosen it as the official marquee event of the city’s centennial, a testament to its cultural significance. Following opening night, additional performances will run from April 30 – May 3, 2025, giving audiences multiple chances to experience Miami’s past like never before.
Be Part of History
Tickets for Greetings from Paradise are available now at actorsplayhouse.org coralgableschamber.org or by calling 305-444-9293. Group rates are available for parties of 10 or more.
Follow June Morris for updates and behind-the-scenes insights:
Don’t miss the chance to witness history—Greetings from Paradise is more than a play; it’s an experience.