Sutton Foster

From Infogalactic: the planetary knowledge core
Jump to: navigation, search
Sutton Foster
File:Sutton Foster.jpg
Sutton Foster
Born Sutton Lenore Foster
(1975-03-18) March 18, 1975 (age 49)
Statesboro, Georgia, U.S.
Occupation Actress, singer, dancer
Years active 1990–present
Spouse(s) Christian Borle (m. 2006; div. 2010)
Ted Griffin (m. 2014)
Relatives Hunter Foster (brother)
Website Official website

Sutton Lenore Foster (born March 18, 1975) is an American actress, singer and dancer. Foster is best known for her work on the Broadway stage, for which she has received two Tony Awards for Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical in 2002 for her role as Millie Dillmount in Thoroughly Modern Millie and in 2011 for her performance as Reno Sweeney in Anything Goes. Her other Broadway credits include Little Women, The Drowsy Chaperone, Young Frankenstein, Shrek the Musical, and Violet. On television, Foster played the lead role in the short-lived ABC Family comedy-drama Bunheads from 2012 to 2013. She is currently starring in the TV Land comedy-drama Younger as Liza Miller, which premiered on March 31, 2015.

Early life and education

Foster was born in Statesboro, Georgia, and raised in Troy, Michigan. At the age of 15, she was a contestant on the reality competition show Star Search and also auditioned for the cast of The Mickey Mouse Club. She left Troy High School before graduating (she received her diploma via correspondence courses) to join the national tour of The Will Rogers Follies directed by Tommy Tune. Then she attended Carnegie Mellon University for one year, but left to pursue a theatrical career full-time. In May 2012, she received an honorary doctorate from Ball State University. Her older brother is actor Hunter Foster.

Career

Theatre

Foster made her Broadway debut as an understudy for Sandy Dumbrowski in Grease in 1996. Then she appeared in The Scarlet Pimpernel and as Star to Be in Annie in 1997. Afterwards on Broadway, Foster was understudy for Eponine in Les Misérables in 2000.[1]

During rehearsals of the pre-Broadway run of Thoroughly Modern Millie at the La Jolla Playhouse in San Diego, she replaced the lead actress Erin Dilly.[2] She opened at the Marquis Theatre to many positive reviews. The New York Daily News reviewer described her as "newcomer Sutton Foster, who has the pert look, the silver voice and the dazzling legwork to make an extraordinarily winning Millie."[3] Clive Barnes, reviewing for the New York Post wrote "Newcomer Sutton Foster's own star turn as Millie is perfectly charming, but as a star she doesn't twinkle, glitter or light up Broadway like a Christmas tree defying a July noon. But she has a good voice and is cutely agreeable."[4] The Newsday reviewer wrote: "She has a smile that may remind you of Mary Tyler Moore, the gawky comic precision of the young Carol Burnett, the lyricism of a romantic heroine and a smallish but vibrant voice as accurate as it is expressive. As [Millie], another of New York's prototypical small-town girls with big-city dreams, [Sutton Foster] appears unfazed by the burden of a character created onscreen by Julie Andrews. The newcomer takes the big stage with an uninhibited what-the-heck comfort level and the discipline to go with her instincts."[5] Time Magazine wrote: "she's [Sutton Foster] got the full package: girlish gawkiness and Broadway brass, the legs and the lungs. Foster is a big reason the show is just about the cutest thing to hit Broadway since Annie's dimples, with perkily retro songs by Jeanine Tesori and clever staging by director Michael Mayer..."[6] Foster went on to win the 2002 Tony Award for Best Leading Actress in a Musical,[7] the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actress in a Musical,[8] and the Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Actress in a Musical for her performance.[9][10]

In 2005, Foster co-starred as Jo March opposite Maureen McGovern as Marmee in the musical adaptation of Louisa May Alcott's classic novel Little Women, for which she was nominated for her second Tony Award.[11] She returned to the Marquis Theatre in May 2006 in The Drowsy Chaperone, a spoof of 1920s musicals. She played Janet van de Graaff, a famous Broadway starlet who opts to forgo a stage career in favor of married life. Her performance earned her a third Tony nomination.[12] Foster co-starred in Mel Brooks' musical adaptation of his film Young Frankenstein as the Swedish yodeling fraulein Inga from October 2007 to July 2008.[13]

She played Princess Fiona in Shrek the Musical, which opened on Broadway on December 14, 2008.[14] For this role, Foster won her second Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Actress in a Musical[15] and was nominated for her fourth Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical.[16] She played her final performance on January 3, 2010, when the show closed on Broadway. Foster participated in a reading of a work-in-progress new musical, Bonnie and Clyde: A Folktale, in June 2009. Her brother, Hunter is writing the music for this musical.[17]

Foster starred as Nurse Fay Apple in the New York City Center's Encores! production of Anyone Can Whistle, which played from April 8 to April 11, 2010.[18]

Foster taught a Spring Semester master class at New York University's Tisch School of the Arts Undergraduate Department of Drama, beginning in January 2010. The elite class was chosen from auditions conducted by Sutton herself. It culminated in a critically acclaimed cabaret performance at Joe's Pub in May titled "From Rodgers To Heart". She taught the master class again in Fall Semester 2010, culminating in another performance at Joe's Pub, "Crazy for Gershwin". Both were musically directed by Deborah Abramson. She is now on the faculty of NYU's New Studio on Broadway.

Foster taught a week-long master class session at Ball State University (Muncie, IN) in January 2010.[17] She continued her relationship with Ball State in September 2010 by working with students in the classroom, teaching master classes, and performing workshops for students of the Department of Theatre and Dance. In the spring of 2012, she returned to Ball State, teaching classes, mentoring the interdisciplinary team that wrote the musical The Circus in Winter, and co-directing the Department of Theatre and Dance's Spring 2012 production of The Drowsy Chaperone; she also spoke at commencement and received an Honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts degree for her continued engagement with Ball State students. Foster continued her relationship with Ball State in October 2012, performing in the staged reading of The Circus in Winter at the National Alliance for Musical Theatre's Festival of New Musicals at New World Stages in New York.[19]

Foster made her Off-Broadway debut in Paul Weitz's comedy Trust with Zach Braff, Bobby Cannavale and Ari Graynor which began previews July 23, 2010 with an official opening August 12, running through September 12, 2010 at Second Stage Theatre.[20]

Foster played Reno Sweeney in the Broadway revival of Anything Goes, which began performances on March 10, 2011 at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre and officially opened on April 7, 2011.[21] Foster won her third Outer Critics Circle Award and second Drama Desk Award and Tony Award for her performance.[22][23][24] Foster's final performance was on March 11, 2012, when she was replaced by Stephanie J. Block. Foster left to film the comedy-drama Bunheads, which premiered on ABC Family on June 11, 2012.[25][26]

From March to August 2014, Foster starred in the Roundabout Theatre Company production of the musical Violet at the American Airlines Theatre.[27] Foster received her sixth Tony Award nomination for her performance.[28]

She returned to Encores! in July 2015 to play Queenie in Andrew Lippa's The Wild Party.

Television

In 2007, Foster guest-starred on the children's musical puppet show Johnny and the Sprites[29] and in a three-episode story arc on the HBO sitcom Flight of the Conchords.[30] She also guest-starred on an episode of the NBC legal drama Law & Order: SVU, which aired on March 3, 2010 opposite comedian Kathy Griffin.[31]

Foster played the lead role in the short-lived 2012 ABC Family drama Bunheads developed by Amy Sherman-Palladino, the creator of Gilmore Girls. She played former Las Vegas showgirl Michelle, who impulsively marries a man, moves to his small town, and begins teaching ballet lessons at her new mother-in-law's dance studio. She won Gracie Award and received a nomination at the 3rd Critics' Choice Television Awards for Best Actress in a Comedy Series.[32] The series was cancelled after single season. She later was cast as the lead character of Liza Miller in the TV Land single-camera comedy-drama pilot Younger, created by Darren Star. It was originally set to be released January 13, but she stated on January 31st in an interview at TETA TheatreFest 2015 in Houston, Texas that the release was delayed.[33][34] In May 2015 it was announced that Younger was renewed for a second season, and on January 6, 2015, only a week before season two premiered, it was renewed for a third season.

Film

In 2013, Foster starred as Kerry in Psych actor James Roday's comedic thriller Gravy.[35] In 2014, she appeared opposite Robin Williams in the comedy The Angriest Man in Brooklyn.[33]

Music

Foster participated in a one night concert version of Funny Girl for the New York Actor's Benefit Fund in 2002.

Foster's debut solo album Wish was released by Ghostlight Records in February 2009. The songs range from jazz to pop to cabaret to Broadway.[36] In 2010, Foster promoted the album with concert performances in Boston, New York, Chicago, the Orange County Performing Arts Center in Orange County, California, and Washington, D.C.[37]

Foster and Seth Rudetsky participated in the one night only Actors Fund benefit concert of They're Playing Our Song on August 30, 2010 at the Gerald W. Lynch Theater, John Jay College, New York. The full cast included Efé, Kaitlyn Davidson, Alex Ellis, Maynard, Matt Loehr, and Jesse Nager, and was directed by Denis Jones.[38]

Foster performed at the 33rd Annual Kennedy Center Honors in a tribute to Jerry Herman, singing "Before the Parade Passes By."[39] Then she performed at the Kennedy Center Honors the following year in a tribute to Barbara Cook.[40] She made a third appearance at the Kennedy Center Honors, performing for the tribute to Shirley MacLaine.

Foster performed a concert tour from September 2012 to May 2013, performing songs from both her Broadway career and her solo album.

She made her Carnegie Hall debut in April 2015, with guest appearances from Joshua Henry and Megan McGinnis.

Personal life

Foster met actor Christian Borle in college,[41] and married him on September 18, 2006. During a radio interview in 2010, it was confirmed that Foster and Borle divorced.[42][43] Foster and Borle still remain friends and continue to support each other's work.[44][45] Foster dated actor Bobby Cannavale from 2010 to 2011.[46] In April 2012, Foster confirmed their breakup.[47] On September 19, 2013, Foster confirmed that she became engaged to screenwriter Ted Griffin.[48] She and Griffin married on October 25, 2014.[49]

Foster is a self-proclaimed dog lover, and has had two dogs since her Broadway debut, Linus and Mabel.

In her spare time she makes artwork which she sells online and occasionally at art exhibits. She is a long time collaborator with Julien Havard.

Credits

Film

Year Title Role Notes
1989 Mr. Terbillion's Ambition Sarah Short film
2008 Just in Case Boy (Voice) Short film
2013 Shrek the Musical Princess Fiona Filmed stage production
2014 The Angriest Man in Brooklyn Adela
The Nobodies Amy Short film
2015 Gravy Kerry
2016 Mired Wife (Voice) Short film; pre-production

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1990 Star Search Herself (contestant) Runner-up (3.5 stars)
2007 Johnny and the Sprites Tina Episode: "Johnny's Sister Tina/Spritesgiving!"
Flight of the Conchords Coco 3 episodes
2010 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Rosemary Episode: "P.C."
2011-12 Sesame Street Self 2 episodes
2012 Royal Pains Julie Sharp Episode: "Bottoms Up"
2012–13 Bunheads Michelle Simms Series regular, 18 episodes
2013 Doc McStuffins Frida Fairy Flyer Episode: "Frida Fairy Flies Again"
2014 Psych Gretchen Eikleberry Episode: "A Nightmare on State Street"
2015–present Younger Liza Miller Main Role; 36 episodes
2015 Elementary Tara Parker Episode: "Absconded"
2016 Mad Dogs Gerda Completed; guest role

Theatre

Year Title Role Notes
1992 The Will Rogers Follies Ensemble National Tour
1995 Grease Sandy Dumbrowski (replacement) National tour
1996 Eugene O'Neill Theatre, Broadway
1997 Annie Star To Be/Dog Catcher/Cecille/Ronnie Boylan Martin Beck Theatre, Broadway
The Scarlet Pimpernel Ensemble Minskoff Theatre, Broadway
1998 What the World Needs Now Jennifer[50] Old Globe Theatre
1999 Les Misérables Eponine (replacement) National Tour
2000 Dorian Sister Claire Goodspeed Musicals, World Premiere
Les Misérables Eponine u/s (replacement) Broadway
Thoroughly Modern Millie Millie Dilmount La Jolla Playhouse
2001 The 3hree Musketeers Constance[51] American Musical Theatre of San Jose
South Pacific Nellie Forbush[52] Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera
2002-04 Thoroughly Modern Millie Millie Dilmount Marquis Theatre, Broadway
2002 Funny Girl Fanny Brice New Amsterdam Theatre, New York Actors Fund Concert
2003 Chess Svetlana New York Actors Fund Concert
2004 Snoopy! The Musical Peppermint Patty Peter Norton Symphony Space Concert
Me and My Girl Sally Smith Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera
2005 Little Women Jo March Virginia Theatre, Broadway
The Drowsy Chaperone Janet Van de Graaf Ahmanson Theatre
2006-07 Marquis Theatre, Broadway
2007 Young Frankenstein Inga Paramount Theatre
2007-08 Hilton Theatre, Broadway
2008 Shrek The Musical Princess Fiona 5th Avenue Theatre
2008-10 Broadway Theatre, Broadway
2010 Anyone Can Whistle Nurse Fay Apple New York City Center Encores!
They're Playing Our Song Sonia Walsk Gerald W. Lynch Theatre at John Jay College, New York Actors Fund Concert
Trust Prudence Second Stage Theatre, off-Broadway
2011-12 Anything Goes Reno Sweeney Stephen Sondheim Theatre, Broadway
2013 Violet Violet Karl New York City Center, Encores!
2014 American Airlines Theatre, Broadway
2015 The Wild Party Queenie New York City Center, Encores!
2016 Defying Gravity: The Songs of Stephen Schwartz Performer Theatre Royal, Sydney

Discography

Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:Category main article' not found.

  • Violet (Original Broadway Cast Recording)
  • Anything Goes (New Broadway Cast Recording)
  • An Evening with Sutton Foster: Live at the Café Carlyle (2011)
  • Wish First Solo Album
  • Shrek The Musical (Original Broadway Cast Recording)
  • Keys – The Music of Scott Alan featured performance
  • Young Frankenstein (Original Broadway Cast Recording)
  • The Drowsy Chaperone (Original Broadway Cast Recording)
  • Little Women (Original Broadway Cast Recording)
  • The Maury Yeston Songbook featured performance
  • Thoroughly Modern Millie (Original Broadway Cast Recording)
  • Jule Styne in Hollywood featured performance

Concerts

Wish Promotional Concerts

An Evening With Sutton Foster Tour (Leg One)

An Evening With Sutton Foster Tour (Leg 2)

Six concerts between Jan. 17 and Feb. 1, 2015. Steven Reineke conducted. The show performed in Toms River, New Jersey, Indianapolis, and Houston, TX. Due to the show's popularity, two extra concerts will be performed: one in Tampa, Florida on Dec. 13, 2015 and one in Christchurch, New Zealand on Jan. 29, 2016. The New Zealand show will be Foster's first performance not in America.

Broadway in Concert: Sutton Foster With Seth Rudetsky

In 2015, after a March concert in Fort Lauderdale, Florida together, Foster amd Rudetsky began doing concerts together, beginning with two concerts in Santa Monica, California in June. They also did three shows in Provincetown, Massachusetts during July. The two were scheduled to have a show in San Francisco in January 2016, and another show in Philadelphia in March, however Rudetsky was replaced by Michael Rafter due to scheduling conflicts.

Other Concerts

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Nominated Work Result
2002 Tony Award Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical Thoroughly Modern Millie Won
Drama Desk Award Outstanding Actress in a Musical Won
Drama League Award Distinguished Performance Nominated
Outer Critics Circle Award Outstanding Actress in a Musical Won
Broadway.com Audience Award Favorite Actress in a Musical Won
Broadway.com Audience Award Favorite Breakthrough Performance (female) Won
Astaire Award Best Actress in a Musical Won
2005 Tony Award Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical Little Women Nominated
Drama Desk Award Outstanding Actress in a Musical Nominated
Drama League Award Distinguished Performance Nominated
Outer Critics Circle Award Outstanding Actress in a Musical Nominated
Broadway.com Audience Award Favorite Lead Actress in a Musical Won
Broadway.com Audience Award Favorite Diva Performance Won
2006 Tony Award Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical The Drowsy Chaperone Nominated
Drama Desk Award Outstanding Actress in a Musical Nominated
Drama League Award Distinguished Performance Nominated
Outer Critics Circle Award Outstanding Actress in a Musical Nominated
Broadway.com Audience Award Favorite Actress in a Musical Nominated
Broadway.com Audience Award Favorite Ensemble Nominated
Broadway.com Audience Award Favorite Diva Performance Nominated
2008 Drama League Award Distinguished Performance Young Frankenstein Nominated
Broadway.com Audience Award Favorite Onstage Pair (w/ Roger Bart) Won
2009 Tony Award Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical Shrek Nominated
Drama Desk Award Outstanding Actress in a Musical Nominated
Broadway.com Audience Award Favorite Onstage Pair (w/ Brian D'Arcy James Nominated
Drama League Award Distinguished Performance Nominated
Outer Critics Circle Award Outstanding Actress in a Musical Won
Broadway.com Audience Award Favorite Diva Performance Won
2011 Tony Award Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical Anything Goes Won
Drama Desk Award Outstanding Actress in a Musical Won
Drama League Award Distinguished Performance Nominated
Outer Critics Circle Award Outstanding Actress in a Musical Won
Astaire Award Best Actress in a Musical Won
Broadway.com Audience Award Favorite Lead Actress in a Musical Won
Broadway.com Audience Award Favorite Diva Performance Nominated
Broadway.com Audience Award Favorite Onstage Pair (with Joel Grey) Nominated
2012 Grammy Award Best Musical Theater Album Nominated
Teen Choice Award Breakout Star Female Bunheads Nominated
2013 Gracie Awards Outstanding Female Actor in a Breakthrough Role Won
Critics' Choice Television Award Best Actress in a Comedy Series Nominated
2014 Drama League Award Distinguished Performance Violet Nominated
Outer Critics Circle Award Outstanding Actress in a Musical Nominated
Drama Desk Award Outstanding Actress in a Musical Nominated
Tony Award Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical Nominated
Broadway.com Audience Awards Favorite Lead Actress in a Musical Nominated
2015 OFTA TV Award Best Actress in a Comedy Series Younger Nominated
2016 Women's Image Network Award Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series Pending

References

  1. "Sutton Foster Listing" PlaybillVault.com
  2. Ehren, Christine and Jones, Kenneth.No More Dilly Millie: Sutton Foster Takes La Jolla Role" playbill.com, September 25, 2000
  3. Kissel, Howard. "You'll Flip For Sprightly Flappers Piece"New York Daily News, April 19, 2002
  4. Barnes, Clive.Abstract THOROUGHLY MUDDLED 'MILLIE' HITS THE BOARDS"New York Post, google.archive, April 19, 2002
  5. Winer, Linda. "Abstract: She's Gonna Make It After All / Sutton Foster breaks out in inspired 'Millie'"Newsday, google.archive, April 19, 2002
  6. Zoglin, Richard."Kid, You're Gonna Come Back a Star!"Time, April 29, 2002
  7. "Tony Award, 'Thoroughly Modern Millie', 2002" tonyawards.com, accessed July 26, 2010
  8. "Press release, Drama Desk Awards, 2001-2002" dramadesk.com, May 19, 2002, accessed July 26, 2010
  9. Outer Critics Circle Awards, 2001-2002 outercritics.org, accessed July 26, 2010
  10. Pogrebin, Robin. "At Tonys, 'Millie' Is Tops, but Its Book and Score Aren't" The New York Times, June 2, 2002
  11. Gans, Andrew.2004-2005 "Tony Nominations Announced; Spamalot Garners 14 Nominations" playbill.com, May 10, 2005
  12. "Just the Facts: List of 2006 Tony Award Winners and Nominees" playbill.com, June 11, 2006
  13. "Foster's Roll in the Hay in Young Frankenstein Is Over July 6" Playbill
  14. Gans, Andrew."Seattle Goes Green: Shrek the Musical Makes World Premiere Aug. 14" playbill.com, August 14, 2008
  15. Gans, Andrew."Billy Elliot, Carnage, Ruined and Avenger Are Outer Critics Circle Award Winners" playbill.com, May 11, 2009
  16. Gans, Andrew and Jones, Kenneth."Nominations for 2009 Tony Awards Announced; Billy Elliot Earns 15 Nominations" playbill.com, May 5, 2009
  17. 17.0 17.1 Clawson, Kerry "Broadway star Sutton Foster coming to Cleveland" ohio.com, February 2, 2010
  18. "Sutton Foster to Star in Encores! 'Anyone Can Whistle'", playbill.com
  19. Hetrick, Adam [1] playbill.com, September 19, 2012
  20. Gans, Andrew.Braff, Cannavale, Foster and Graynor Cast in Second Stage's Trust "Braff, Cannavale, Foster and Graynor Cast in Second Stage's 'Trust'" playbill.com, June 1, 2010
  21. "Bon Voyage! Anything Goes, With Sutton Foster and Joel Grey, Opens on Broadway" playbill.com
  22. War Horse, Book of Mormon, Other Desert Cities, The Kid Are Outer Critics Circle Winners
  23. Drama Desk Awards Go to Book of Mormon, Normal Heart, War Horse, Sutton Foster, Norbert Leo Butz
  24. Jones, Kenneth "War Horse, Book of Mormon, Anything Goes, Normal Heart Win 2011 Tony Awards" playbill.com, June 12, 2011
  25. She's 'De-Lovely' and She's Coming Back! Stephanie J. Block to Return to ANYTHING GOES March 15th
  26. "Sutton Foster Trades Broadway for 'Bunheads'" channelguidemag.com
  27. Purcell, Carey. "'Violet', Starring Tony Winner Sutton Foster, Will Play Broadway in March 2014" playbill.com, November 25, 2013
  28. 2014 Tony Award Nominations - The Complete List; A GENTLEMAN'S GUIDE Leads With 10! broadwayworld.com, Retrieved May 5, 2014
  29. Kalafatas, Greg Sutton Foster Guest Stars on 'Johnny and the Sprites'" playbill.com, January 16, 2007
  30. Listing imdb.com, accessed July 26, 2010
  31. Sutton Foster Guest Stars on 'Law & Order: SVU' March 3
  32. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  33. 33.0 33.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  34. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  35. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  36. Gans, Andrew."Shrek's Sutton Foster Releases Solo CD "Wish" Feb. 17" playbill.com, February 17, 2009
  37. "Concert tour schedule" suttonfoster.com
  38. Hetrick, Adam and Gans, Andrew."Full Cast of Sutton Foster-Seth Rudetsky 'They're Playing Our Song' Announced" playbill.com, August 18, 2010
  39. Sutton Foster, Matthew Morrison, Chris Rock, Laura Benanti, Carol Channing, The Obamas and More at Kennedy Center Honors
  40. STAGE TUBE: Sutton Foster, Glenn Close, Patti LuPone & More Honor Barbara Cook at Kennedy Center Honors - The Musical Tribute!
  41. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  42. "Mary Poppins" stars Christian Borle and Laura Michelle Kelly playbillradio.com
  43. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  44. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  45. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  46. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  47. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  48. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  49. "Tony Winner Sutton Foster Marries Fiance Ted Griffin Today" broadway.com
  50. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  51. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  52. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.

External links

Script error: The function "top" does not exist.

Script error: The function "bottom" does not exist.