Broadway and Hollywood glamour provided the luster for an April 14 benefit in New York City to raise funds for the new Louis Erdmann and William Zucchero Theatre. The black-box space, part of the Roe Green Center for the School of Theatre and Dance, is currently under construction with an opening set for fall 2010.

Emmy-winner Jeff Richmond and Tony-winner Alice Ripley, '86, both alumni of the program and honorary co-chairs for the E-Z Theatre campaign, hosted and performed a lively show that entertained a crowd of Kent State supporters. Alumni Karl Erdmann, '84, and Wendy Zucchero Overly, '82, also spoke about the legacy of their fathers, for whom the theatre is named.

Among the guests were Richmond's wife, actress and writer Tina Fey; 30 Rock executive producers Lorne Michaels and Marci Klein; Kent State President Lester A. Lefton and his wife, Linda; philanthropist Roe Green, '80, whose $6.5 million gift makes the new center possible; Centennial Campaign Chair Ron Pizzuti, '62; and Cil Draime, '58, who is the largest contributor to the campaign to date.

View a slideshow of photos from the evening by clicking on the photo to the right.

And to contribute to the E-Z Theatre campaign, contact Shawn Gordon at sgordo10@kent.edu or 330.672.8484.