Roundabout Theatre Company has announced that fashion designer Michael Kors and his husband Lance Le Pere have donated $1.5 million towards the theatre’s 50th anniversary campaign. The gift from the self-proclaimed “lifelong theatre enthusiasts” and Roundabout fans will go towards Roundabout productions, and makes possible the creation of a new VIP Patron’s Lounge at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre.

The lounge, slated for completion in 2017, will be named the Michael Kors and Lance Le Pere Lounge in honor of the duo, with the design of the space dedicated to Stephen Sondheim’s body of work. The design is being conceived by Frank Webb at White Webb.

Below is the rendering of the new space:

The 50th Anniversary Campaign was publicly launched February 2016 and Roundabout has now surpassed $40 million raised towards a total goal of $50 million. According to the theatre, “the Campaign will fund vital financial reserves to sustain Roundabout’s artistic excellence, innovative audience engagement and effective community outreach well into the future.“

“We are lifelong theatre enthusiasts and we are enormous fans of the amazing work produced by Roundabout Theatre Company. We are thrilled to help sustain the company’s future, and to underwrite a new patron’s lounge in honor of the singularly brilliant genius of Stephen Sondheim,” commented Kors and Le Pere in a joint statement.

“We are deeply grateful for Michael and Lance’s commitment to Roundabout’s 50th Anniversary Campaign. They have been generous supporters of Roundabout over the last decade, and I am so honored that Michael and Lance have made this incredible gift. It will ensure that Roundabout can remain at the forefront of American Theatre, continuing our mission to entertain, educate and inspire,” added Todd Haimes, Roundabout’s artistic director/CEO.

Roundabout also acknowledges Douglas Durst, The Durst Organization, and Bank of America for helping facilitate this new space.