Charlie Cinnamon
“Legendary Press Agent” Charlie Cinnamon was a beloved and influential publicist whose legacy spans over six decades of unwavering dedication to the arts in South Florida. Moving to the region in 1953, Cinnamon quickly became a powerful voice in Miami’s cultural conversation. He was at the opening of the Coconut Grove Playhouse for the American premiere of Samuel Beckett’s Waiting for Godot, which set events in motion that led to Charlie’s behind-the-scenes brilliance in shaping South Florida’s artistic landscape. His creative vision sparked events like the Coconut Grove Arts Festival, inspired by his idea to pair a Parisian-style art show with the Playhouse's 1963 production of Irma La Douce. When Miami City Ballet launched in 1985, Cinnamon deployed his magically brilliant public relations strategies to promote and market the success of the company, continuing to share his genius throughout the decades. He also represented major organizations like Florida Grand Opera, Broadway Across America, and the Miami International Film Festival. For Judy Drucker and the Concert Association of Greater Miami, he brought global attention to the iconic 1995 Miami Beach concert by Luciano Pavarotti. Charlie worked with stars such as Elizabeth Taylor, Chita Rivera, Carol Channing, and Angela Lansbury, among many others, becoming a trusted confidant to theater royalty. He was the recipient of numerous honors, including the George Abbott Award and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Coconut Grove Playhouse. The Carbonell Awards have created the Charlie Cinnamon Award, given to an individual who contributes significantly to the support of the arts in South Florida. Wise, endlessly kind, and joyfully creative, Charlie Cinnamon was more than a publicist—he was the soul of Miami’s arts scene, and his influence continues to echo across the stages, galleries, and streets he helped bring to life.