By Ernio Hernandez
11 Nov 2004

Hunter Foster
photo by Morgan Allen

Current Broadway stars and University of Michigan alum Hunter Foster, Jennifer Laura Thompson, Gavin Creel and Barrett Foa will appear in "Michigan on Broadway: A Tribute to Arthur Miller" celebrating the naming of the world's only Arthur Miller Theatre at their college, Nov. 15.

The one-night celebration in honor of the new Ann Arbor venue at the scribe's alma mater will take place on Broadway at the Richard Rodgers Theatre at 8 PM.

U-M alumni Robert Nederlander hosts the event produced by fellow graduate Jeffrey Seller and featuring other classmates Gavin Creel (La Cage aux Folles), Hunter Foster (The Producers), Jennifer Laura Thompson (Wicked), Lisa Datz (The Full Monty), Barrett Foa (Avenue Q) with musical contributions by alums Andrew Lippa (The Wild Party) and Jeff Marx (Avenue Q).

Other University of Michigan graduates participating in the tribute include director Jack O'Brien(Hairspray), jazz pianist Geri Allen, violinist Xiang Gao and pianist Howard Watkins.

Miller granted permission to the University of Michigan for his only namesake theatre in the world. Groundbreaking for the new 250-seat space — desigened to be a flexible space with recording booth, full scene and costume shops, dressing rooms and balcony — is set for 2005.

In an interview with the U-M alumni publication "Michigan Today," Miller stated he would like to write an inaugural play for the new theatre, but added "It's easier to build a theater that will stand up than to write a play that will."

Tickets (which are open to the public) for "Michigan on Broadway: A Tribute to Arthur Miller" are available by calling (734) 763-0529) or through www.music.umich.edu.