Seraphic Fire, Miami’s celebrated choir, has received its first Grammy nominations. Patrick Dupre Quigley, the group’s founder and artistic director, got the news late Wednesday, the eve of his 34th birthday.

“It’s the best birthday present of all time,” Quigley said.

The choir founded in 2002, was recognized for two recordings. Its disc of Brahms’ German Requiem was nominated for two awards, Best Choral Performance of the Year and Best Producer of the Year for Peter Rutenberg. And A Seraphic Fire Christmas is up for Best Small Ensemble Performance.

“We’ve been working daily for 9 1/2 years on this project,” said Quigley. “I think it shows that after a decade of hard work, Seraphic Fire means something now to people outside of South Florida.”

In addition, he said, “It proves to people outside of Florida that we have some great classical music down here as well as Latin music and rap.”

Seraphic Fire opens a 10-concert series of Christmas performances Wednesday; www.seraphicfire.org.

Lawrence Johnson

South Florida Classical Review

Castellanos teaches

Actor, director and playwright Teo Castellanos, who appeared this fall in GableStage’s powerful production of Tarell Alvin McCraney’s The Brothers Size, is sharing his extensive creative knowledge in the three-day workshop “Crossing Thresholds: Creating Original Work” at The PlayGround Theatre. Castellanos will work with participants on developing original work through movement, with artists developing new work, continuing to explore a current project or interpreting a character.

The workshop runs from 6 to 9 p.m. Sunday, with Monday and Tuesday sessions running from 7 to 10 p.m. Cost is $65, and anyone taking the workshop should wear clothes that allow movement. The sessions take place in The SandBox at PlayGround, 9806 NE Second Ave., Miami Shores. To register, email Suzana Berger at suzana@theplaygroundtheatre.com or call 305-751-9550, extension 260. For info, visit www.theplaygroundtheatre.com.

Christine Dolen

Theaters thriving

Economic worries and the pull of holiday shopping don’t seem to be affecting the box office at three South Florida theaters, all extending the runs of their current shows. At GableStage in the Biltmore Hotel, John Logan’s Red an Art Basel Miami Beach-friendly play about painter Mark Rothko will now run through Dec. 11. Performances are 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday 2 and 7 p.m. Sunday, with tickets priced from $37.50 to $50. The Biltmore is at 1200 Anastasia Ave., Coral Gables. Call 305-445-1119 or visit www.gablestage.org.

Also in Miami-Dade County, the Miami Beach Stage Door Theatre is extending its production of Neil Simon’s vintage dark comedy The Prisoner of Second Avenue, featuring Dan Kelley and Derelle Bunn. Performances are 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday at the Byron Carlyle Theatre, 500 71st St., Miami Beach. Tickets are $42 ($38 on Friday). Call 305-397-8977 for info.

And in West Palm Beach, Palm Beach Dramaworks will now present its smash revival of Arthur Miller’s All My Sons through Dec. 18. The first production in the theater’s new home in the Don & Ann Brown Theatre at 201 Clematis St. has performances at 8 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, 7 p.m. Sunday, 2 p.m. Wednesday and Saturday-Sunday (some variations in schedule, so check with box office). Tickets are $55. Call 561-514-4042 or visit www.palmbeachdramaworks.org.

Christine Dolen

Toy for a ticket

Actors’ Playhouse is doing good as it entertains kids this holiday season with the musical Madeline’s Christmas. Anyone who brings a new, unwrapped toy to the show will receive a free ticket to any future 2011-2012 show in the Musical Theatre for Young Audiences series. The drive runs through Dec. 17, with all toys given to WFOR-CBS 4’s Neighbors 4 Neighbors Adapt-a-Family 4 the Holidays program.

Madeline’s Christmas is presented at 2 p.m. Saturday through Dec. 17 at the Miracle Theatre, 280 Miracle Mile, Coral Gables. Special evening performances are set for 7 p.m. Dec. 23-24. Tickets are $20. For more info, call 305-444-9293 or visit www.actorsplayhouse.org.

Christine Dolen