Thoroughly Modern Millie star Foster, a Michigan native, will take part in a one-night-only fundraiser for The Mason Street Warehouse, a new professional theatre company that will open summer 2003. The May 4 benefit will take place in the new 199-seat theatre, located in downtown Saugatuck, MI.

Tom Mullen and Kurt Stamm are the producing directors of the theatre, and both divide their time between New York City and Saugatuck. Mullen, who worked on the Roundabout revival of Company, said, “The Mason Street Warehouse is committed to fostering a broader knowledge and appreciation of the performing arts in an already thriving fine arts community. Our geographic location is such that we intend to become a popular destination for theatre lovers within a few hundred mile radius of Saugatuck, attracting patrons from Detroit, Indianapolis and Chicago.” Co-director Stamm, the creative force behind Off-Broadway’s Our Sinatra, added, “By bringing in a mega-watt Broadway actress like Sutton Foster to perform at our benefit, we're letting people know that they should expect a very high caliber of performances from our fledgling theatre company."

The premiere season at the Mason Street Warehouse will include I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change (July 2-13), Dirty Blonde (July 16-27) and Our Sinatra (Aug. 6-17).

Sutton Foster, who currently stars in the title role of Thoroughly Modern Millie, received the Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle and Astaire awards her performance in the musical at the Marquis Theatre. Her other Broadway credits include roles in Les Misérables, Annie, The Scarlet Pimpernel and Grease!. Foster's regional and tour credits include What the World Needs Now, Dorian, Three Musketeers, South Pacific and The Will Rogers Follies.

Tickets for the May 4 benefit are priced between $37.50 and $75 and are available by calling (269) 857-4898 or (888) 585-3737. The Mason Street Warehouse is located at 400 Culver Street.