UM Jerry Herman Ring Theatre Continues Season With Fifty*Four*Forever

The University of Miami College of Arts and Sciences' Department of Theatre Arts continues its exciting season this November with the musical Fifty*Four*Forever, conceived and directed by nine-time Tony Award winner Tommy Tune. Mr. Tune has also received eight Drama Desk Awards, the 2003 Presidential National Medal of Arts, and his own star on Hollywood's legendary Walk of Fame.

This premiere of this musical production will be shown at the Jerry Herman Ring Theater from November 9-19. Mr. Tune will have been in residence for a total of five weeks at the Department of Theatre Arts.

Written by Mark Saltzman, the musical play takes place in New York City, where Studio 54 becomes a magical disco that everyone clamors to get into. Passing through Studio 54's velvet ropes are the world's most famous stars, politicians, and athletes - the glitterati of the 1980s. South Florida theatre audiences will be the first to experience this exciting new musical.

Mark Saltzman was a long time writer for Sesame Street, for which he received seven Emmy Awards. He wrote the holiday television special, Mrs. Santa Claus, starring Angela Lansbury with songs by Jerry Herman. His other musicals include A, My Name is Alice, The Tin Pan Alley Rag, and Romeo and Bernadette.

After the residency by Pulitzer Prize winner Nilo Cruz, who directed his own play Night Train to Bolina, and co-produced with the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts The House of Bernarda Alba (starring Isabel Moreno, and running through October 30), the season is a tribute to the shining talent of UM's rising stars and its distinguished, world-class guests. For FIFTY*FOUR*FOREVER, these include not only Mr. Tune, but also writer Mark Saltzman; choreographer and co-director David Warren Gibson; costumes by Dona Granata; and lighting by Eric Haugen.

For tickets, call the Ring weekdays from noon to 5 pm at 305-284-3355 and nights and weekends at Ovationtix, 1-866-811-4111. Tickets are also available at the Ring's online box office www.miami.edu/ring.

Weeknights and matinees regular admission is $22, and on Friday and Saturday nights it is $25. There are discounts for UM faculty, staff, alumni and students. Visit www.miami.edu/ring for more information.

The Ring is offering 34 free tickets per performance for UM students with ID. These are "stage seats" and the students will be sitting on special Studio 54 cushions surrounding the action of the musical. These tickets are available only at the Ring Box Office.

The Jerry Herman Ring Theatre is located at 1312 Miller Drive on the University of Miami's Coral Gables campus. The theatre is wheelchair accessible, has handicapped parking, and offers free hearing devices. Parking is free and plentiful adjacent to the theatre.