Sutton Foster Headshot

Sutton Foster

Birth Place: Georgia

Get Sutton Foster Email Alerts

Be the first to get news, photos, videos & more.

Sutton Foster BIO

Sutton Foster is a two-time Tony winning actress, singer and dancer most recently seen Broadway in the highly anticipated revival of The Music Man, opposite Hugh Jackman in the fall of 2020. She previously starred in the title role of the New Group’s 50th anniversary revival of Sweet Charity, for which she earned Lucille Lortel, Drama Desk and Drama League nominations. Directed by Leigh Silverman, the show ran at the Pershing Square Signature Center in November 2016. Sutton previously starred in the title role of Jeanine Tesori and Brian Crawley’s Tony-nominated Broadway revival Violet, earning Tony, Drama League, Drama Desk, Outer Critic Circle and Broadway.com Audience Choice Award nominations. Sutton first performed the role of Violet in the acclaimed concert performance at City Center Encores! Off-Center in July 2013. Sutton also appeared on stage as Queenie in New York City Center Encores! Off-Center’s production of The Wild Party in July 2015.

Perhaps best-known for her role as Reno Sweeney in the Roundabout Theatre Company’s revival of Anything Goes, Foster earned a 2011 Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical, as well as the Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, the Fred and Adele Astaire, and Broadway.com's Audience Favorite Awards for her performance as a former Evangelist, now nightclub singer, aboard an ocean liner bound from New York to London.

Under the direction of Michael Mayer, Sutton starred as Millie Dillmount, a young, modern woman from Kansas who travels to New York City intending to marry for money, in the 2002 Broadway production of Thoroughly Modern Millie. Originating the role, Sutton established herself as one of the greatest talents in the industry and earned a Tony Award for Best Leading Actress in a Musical, as well as the Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, and the Fred and Adele Astaire Awards.

In addition to her Tony-winning performances, Foster originated numerous notable roles, including Princess Fiona in Jeanine Tesori and David Lindsay-Abaire’s Shrek The Musical. Starring opposite Brian d'Arcy James, she won her second Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Actress in a Musical and was nominated for a Tony, Drama League, and Drama Desk Awards. Foster also originated the role of Inga, the yodeling lab assistant to Dr. Frederick Frankenstein, in Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan’s parody of the horror film genre, Young Frankenstein.

Her performance as Janet Van De Graaff in Casey Nicholaw’s The Drowsy Chaperone in 2006 earned her Tony Award, Drama Desk, Drama League, Outer Critics Circle, and Ovation Award nominations. Previously, Sutton took on the role of Jo, the brassy tomboy and aspiring writer, in the 2005 Broadway production of Little Women, directed by Susan H. Schulman. For this role, she earned Tony, Drama Desk, Drama League and Outer Critics Circle nominations. Her other theater credits include: Les Miserables, The Scarlet Pimpernel, Annie, and Grease. Foster made her Off-Broadway debut as Prudence in Paul Weitz's comedy Trust at Second Stage Theatre, also starring Zach Braff, Bobby Cannavale, and Ari Graynor.

As a solo artist, Sutton has toured the country with her hit solo concert featuring songs from her debut solo CD “Wish” as well as her follow up CD “An Evening With Sutton Foster: Live at the Cafe Carlyle.” She has graced the stages of Carnegie Hall, Feinstein's, Lincoln Center’s American Songbook series and many others. Sutton released her third solo album, ‘Take Me to the World’, through Ghostlight Deluxe in 2018. Sutton recently concluded a sold out run at New York City’s famous Café Carlyle in the summer of 2019, and will appear as the ‘Baker’s Wife’ in the upcoming Hollywood Bowl production of Into the Woods, set to run from July 26-28, 2019.

Foster currently stars as Liza in the critically-acclaimed TV Land series, “Younger.” Created by "Sex and the City's" Darren Star and styled by the iconic Patricia Field, the series centers around a 40-year-old suburban single mother, Liza, who re-invents herself as a 26-year-old in order to get a job at a publishing company. Also starring Hilary Duff, Nico Tortorella, Miriam Shor and Debi Mazar, the series returned for its sixth season in 2019.

Previously, Foster starred as Michelle Simms in Amy Sherman-Palladino’s ABC Family series, “Bunheads”, about a former ballerina turned Las Vegas showgirl who gets married and winds up teaching at her new mother-in-law’s ballet school in a sleepy costal town. Sutton earned a Critics’ Choice Television Award nomination for Best Actress in a Comedy Series for her performance. Sutton recently reunited with Sherman-Palladino in a guest starring role on the highly-anticipated Netflix revival “Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life”, which was released on November 25, 2016.

Foster was first seen on television on “Star Search” at the young age 15, and has more recently appeared in HBO’s comedy series “Flight of the Conchords,” USA Network’s “Royal Pains,” “Law & Order: SUV” and “Elementary.” She has also made guest appearances on the well-known children series Disney’s “Johnny and the Sprites,” and PBS’s “Sesame Street.”

In 2014, Sutton made her feature film debut in Phil Alden Robinson’s The Angriest Man in Brooklyn, alongside an all-star cast including Mila Kunis, Peter Dinklage, Robin Williams, Melissa Leo and James Earl Jones. Sutton also appeared as Kerry in James Roday’s comedy-horror film Gravy.

Sutton Foster Photos

Sutton Foster STAGE CREDITS

[Off-Broadway]
Encores! Concert Revival Production, 2024
Princess Winifred

[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 2023
Mrs. Lovett [Replacement]

[Broadway]
Broadway Revival Production, 2022
Marian Paroo

[West End]
2021
Reno Sweeney

[Los Angeles]
Hollywood Bowl Revival, 2019
Baker's Wife

[Off-Broadway]
Roundabout Theatre Company One-Night-Only Benefit, 2018
Edith Herbert

[Off-Broadway]
The New Group Off-Broadway Revival, 2016
Charity Hope Valentine

[Off-Broadway]
City Center Encores Off-Center Production, 2015
Queenie

[Broadway]
Roundabout Production, 2014
Violet

[Broadway]
Roundabout Revival, 2011
Reno Sweeney

[Off-Broadway]
Second Stage Theatre Production, 2010
Performer

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2008
Princess Fiona

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2007
Inga

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2006
Janet Van De Graaff

[Los Angeles]
US Premiere, 2005
Janet Van De Graaf

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2005
Jo

[New York]
New York Concert, 2004
Peppermint Patty

[Broadway]
Actors' Fund Concert, 2003
Svetlana

[Broadway]
Actors' Fund Concert, 2002
Fanny Brice

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2002
Millie Dillmount

[San Diego, CA (Regional)]
World Premiere, 2000
Millie Dillmount

[Chester, CT (Regional)]
World Premiere, 2000
Ensemble

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1997
Ensemble

Ensemble

[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 1997
Ronnie Boylan

Ensemble

Dog Catcher

Cecille

A Star to Be

[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 1994
Sandy Dumbrowski [Replacement]

[US Tour]
1st National Tour, 1992
Ensemble

[US Tour]
2nd National Tour, 1988
Eponine (Understudy) [Replacement]

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1987
Female Ensemble [Replacement]

Eponine (Understudy) [Replacement]

[New York]
Workshop, 2006
Inga

Sutton Foster Productions

 
[New York, 2004]
Producer

Sutton Foster Movies

Shrek the Musical
[ 2013 ] Fiona
The Angriest Man in Brooklyn
[ 2014 ] Adela Tommy's Girlfriend
Gravy
[ 2015 ] Kerry
Anything Goes
[ 2021 ] Reno Sweeney

Sutton Foster TV Shows

Bunheads
Michelle Simms
Doc McStuffins
Frida
Ridley Jones
Mama Jones, Mrs. Sanchez
Younger
Liza Miller

Sutton Foster Awards and Nominations

Drama League Awards - 2022 - Distinguished Performance Awards

Sutton Foster, The Music Man

Tony Awards - 2022 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical

Sutton Foster, The Music Man

Drama Desk Awards - 2017 - Outstanding Actress in a Musical

Sutton Foster, Sweet Charity

Drama League Awards - 2017 - Distinguished Performance Award

Sutton Foster, Sweet Charity

The Lortels - 2017 - Outstanding Lead Actress in a Musical

Sutton Foster, Sweet Charity

Drama Desk Awards - 2014 - Outstanding Actress in a Musical

Sutton Foster, Violet

Drama League Awards - 2014 - Distinguished Performance Award

Sutton Foster, Violet

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2014 - Outstanding Actress in a Musical

Sutton Foster, Violet

Tony Awards - 2014 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical

Sutton Foster, Violet


winner
BroadwayWorld Awards - 2011 - Best Leading Actress in a Musical

Sutton Foster, Anything Goes


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 2011 - Outstanding Actress in a Musical

Sutton Foster, Anything Goes


winner
Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2011 - Outstanding Actress in a Musical

Sutton Foster, Anything Goes


winner
Tony Awards - 2011 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical

Sutton Foster, Anything Goes


winner
Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2009 - Outstanding Actress in a Musical

Sutton Foster, Shrek the Musical

Tony Awards - 2009 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical

Sutton Foster, Shrek The Musical

Drama Desk Awards - 2008 - Outstanding Actress in a Musical

Sutton Foster, Shrek the Musical

Tony Awards - 2006 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical

Sutton Foster, The Drowsy Chaperone

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2005 - Outstanding Actress in a Musical

Sutton Foster , Little Women the Musical

Tony Awards - 2005 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical

Sutton Foster, Little Women


winner
Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2002 - Outstanding Actress in a Musical

Sutton Foster, Thoroughly Modern Millie


winner
Tony Awards - 2002 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical

Sutton Foster, Thoroughly Modern Millie

Sutton Foster Videos

Sutton Foster News


Broadway Buying Guide: April 15, 2024- Last Chance to See DOUBT on Broadway


Looking for the best deals on Broadway shows? Welcome to our new weekly guide to the most popular shows listed on BroadwayWorld. Check out which shows are selling this week, April 15, 2024.

LaChanze And Lar Lubovitch To Be Honored At Boston Conservatory Commencement


Join the Boston Conservatory at Berklee as they honor three-time Tony Award-winning actor and producer LaChanze and internationally acclaimed dancer and choreographer Lar Lubovitch at their commencement ceremony on May 11.

Audra McDonald to Return To Provincetown With Seth Rudetsky in May


Six-time Tony Award Winner Audra McDonald will return to Provincetown with SiriusXM Radio star Seth Rudetsky as music director and host, this Memorial Day Weekend. Learn how to purchase tickets!

Chris Cooper And Cast Present 'Sublime' Version of [title of show] at MTSU


Cooper’s clear and focused direction of [title of show] ensures that the action that transpires over the course of 90-plus minutes holds your attention, reminds you of people you know and delivers a pretty spot-on depiction of what real life is all about. With the able assistance of musical director Angela Tipps (the only non-student involved in the production, except for the professors who serve as mentors of the student-led creative team and production crew) and choreographer Paige Lovell (who provides the quartet of actors some fancy footwork that enlivens the proceedings), Cooper and his ideally cast quartet of actors, in this critic’s estimation, deliver the goods and then some.

Review: SHREK THE MUSICAL at Robinson Center


What did our critic think of SHREK THE MUSICAL at Robinson Center?

Ava Paris Locknar to Present TALL GIRL SINGING at Birdland Theater


BIRDLAND THEATER will present rising actress and vocalist Ava Paris Locknar in “Tall Girl Singing' this month. Learn more about the show and see how to purchase tickets.

Interview: Francis Jue of TIGER STYLE! at TheatreWorks Silicon Valley Hits His Stride by Being True to Himself


BroadwayWorld talks to Obie Award-winning actor Francis Jue about returning to TheatreWorks Silicon Valley, where he has appeared so often in the last 35 years, in Mike Lew's trenchant comedy, 'Tiger Style!'

Video: Jonathan Groff Talks MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG, Barbra Streisand, and More!


Jonathan Groff stopped by The Tonight Show to talk about Merrily We Roll Along, how Barbra Streisand knows he exists, and more.

See Alice Ripley and John McDaniel, JIM CARUSO'S CAST PARTY & More at Birdland in April


Birdland Jazz Club and Birdland Theater are open this April with a full slate of nightly performances! See who is performing and learn how to purchase tickets.

Broadway Buying Guide: April 1, 2024- MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG Rolls to the Top


Looking for the best deals on Broadway shows? Welcome to our new weekly guide to the most popular shows listed on BroadwayWorld. Check out which shows are selling this week, April 1, 2024.

Student Blog: Two Tips for a Totally Awesome College Experience


From my perspective, there is one crucial way to stay afloat in college - organization and planning. It took me a while to get to where I am today, but as a second semester senior, I feel confident that I can navigate whatever chaos gets thrown my way. Using trial and error, I was able to find a few specific tools to assist me in my crazy everyday life.

THE VOICE's Wendy Moten to Return to Birdland Jazz Club in April


BIRDLAND JAZZ CLUB will present return of Nashville vocalist Wendy Moten – best known for her 2021 run on NBC’s “The Voice”. Learn how to purchase tickets.

From La Jolla Playhouse to Broadway - A Brief History


Learn more about some of the Broadway productions that you may not have realized began their journey at La Jolla Playhouse! 

Wake Up With BroadwayWorld March 21, 2024


Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is March 21, 2024 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.

WATER FOR ELEPHANTS Cast Album Will Be Recorded Next Week; Released on Ghostlight Records


GHOSTLIGHT RECORDS has announced plans for an original cast recording of the new Broadway musical Water for Elephants. Learn more here!

Video: Aaron Tveit & Sutton Foster Are the New Merry Murderers of SWEENEY TODD


In this video, watch as Sutton Foster and Aaron Tveit chat about their final weeks in the Tony-winning revival of Sweeney Todd.

WP Gala Will Honor Sutton Foster, LaChanze, and Anne Quart; Hosted by Eden Espinosa


The honorees have been revealed for the WP Theater 2024 Annual Gala, which include Sutton Foster, LaChanze, and Anne Quart. The event will be hosted by Eden Espinosa  at The Edison Ballroom on Monday, May 20, 2024.

Wake Up With BroadwayWorld March 18, 2024


Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is March 18, 2024 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.

CHristine Lavin and Julie Gold Come to Birdland Theater in APRIL FOOLS


BIRDLAND THEATER will present beloved singer/songwriters Christine Lavin and Julie Gold in the show “April Fools” on Tuesday, April 2 at 5:30 PM.

Sweeney Todd's Mia Pinero Takes Over Our Instagram for Pi Day!


How are the worst pi(e)s in London made? Sweeney Todd cast member, Mia Pinero, is giving us an inside look as she takes over BroadwayWorld's Instagram story for Pi Day!

Sutton Foster FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Sutton Foster been in?

Sutton Foster has appeared on Broadway in 15 shows.

How many West End shows has Sutton Foster been in?

Sutton Foster has appeared on London's West End in 1 shows.

What was Sutton Foster's first West End show?

Sutton Foster's first West End show was Anything Goes which opened in 2021

What awards has Sutton Foster been nominated for?

Sutton Foster has been nominated for several awards throughout her career, including Distinguished Performance Awards (Drama League Awards) and Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical (Tony Awards) for her roles in various Broadway shows. Some of her nominations include Outstanding Actress in a Musical (Drama Desk Awards), Outstanding Lead Actress in a Musical (The Lortels), and Best Leading Actress in a Musical (BroadwayWorld Awards). Foster has received nominations for her performances in productions such as "The Music Man," "Sweet Charity," "Violet," "Anything Goes," "Shrek the Musical," "The Drowsy Chaperone," "Little Women the Musical," and "Thoroughly Modern Millie."

What awards has Sutton Foster won?

Sutton Foster has won several awards for her performances on Broadway, including Best Leading Actress in a Musical at the BroadwayWorld Awards, Outstanding Actress in a Musical at the Drama Desk Awards, and the Outer Critics Circle Awards for her role in "Anything Goes." She also won the Tony Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical for her performance in the same show. Additionally, she received Outstanding Actress in a Musical awards from the Outer Critics Circle Awards for her roles in "Shrek the Musical" and "Thoroughly Modern Millie." Sutton Foster also won the Tony Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical for her role in "Thoroughly Modern Millie."

What is Sutton Foster next theatre project?

Sutton Foster's next show will be Once Upon a Mattress which opens on 1/24/2024 on Off-Broadway.

Get Sutton Foster Email Alerts

Be the first to get news, photos, videos & more.

Videos