Sutton Foster

Sutton Foster
PhilipRomanoPhoto · CC BY 4.0 · source
Name	Sutton Foster
Caption	Foster in 2017
Birth date	March 18, 1975
Birth place	Statesville, North Carolina, U.S.
Occupation	Actress, singer, dancer
Years active	1996–present
Spouse	Ted Griffin (m. 2006–2007)

Sutton Foster is an American actress, singer, and dancer renowned for her work in musical theatre, television, and recordings. She rose to prominence on Broadway with leading roles that revitalized classic musicals, extended into a television career with critically acclaimed series, and maintained an active recording and concert presence. Foster's career connects her to a wide network of productions, collaborators, institutions, and awards across American theatre and entertainment.

Early life and education

Foster was born in Statesville, North Carolina and raised in Denver, Colorado and Boulder, Colorado. She is the daughter of Rebecca and Robert Foster and has two older brothers and two older sisters, including actress Heidi Blickenstaff. Foster studied voice and dance as a child at local studios and performed in productions at Boulder Dinner Theatre, Denver Center for the Performing Arts, and regional theaters tied to the Kennedy Center Regional Theatre network. She attended University of Colorado Boulder for a period before leaving to pursue professional work in New York City, studying at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy and receiving coaching from voice teachers associated with Juilliard School alumni circles.

Stage career

Foster made her Broadway debut in the chorus of the 1996 revival of Grease and appeared in the ensemble of Thoroughly Modern Millie during its developmental stages. Her breakout came with the role of Millie Dillmount in the 2002 revival of Thoroughly Modern Millie on Broadway, for which she won the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical. She went on to star as Roxie Hart in the 2003 revival of Chicago at the Ambassador Theatre and earned acclaim for originating the role of Millie’s contemporary peers in productions connected to Encores! series at New York City Center. Foster originated the role of Ivy in The Drowsy Chaperone on Broadway and later achieved major success creating the role of Reno Sweeney in the 2011 revival of Anything Goes at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre, earning another Tony Award nomination. Her performance history includes collaborations with directors Susan Stroman, Michael Mayer, and choreographers associated with Movin' Out alumni. Foster has also appeared in productions at Paper Mill Playhouse, Kennedy Center, Goodman Theatre, La Jolla Playhouse, and the Carnegie Hall recital series. She has performed in concerts with institutions such as the New York Philharmonic and at venues like Lincoln Center and Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage.

Television and film career

Foster transitioned to television with guest appearances on series such as Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and One Life to Live, later securing a lead television role as the titular character in Bunheads, created by Amy Sherman-Palladino and produced for ABC Family (now Freeform). She starred as Liza Miller on the series Younger, created by Darren Star and produced by TV Land, which ran for multiple seasons and brought Foster nominations from the Critics' Choice Television Awards and recognition at festivals connected to PaleyFest. Foster’s film credits include roles in productions associated with studios such as Lionsgate, and she has appeared on television specials for PBS and late-night programs including Late Show with David Letterman and The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. Her television work involved collaborations with writers and producers from Gilmore Girls, Sex and the City, and Mad Men alumni networks.

Music and recordings

Foster has released solo albums on labels associated with Broadway recording projects and independent jazz-pop releases, collaborating with producers who have worked with Cast Albums for shows like Thoroughly Modern Millie and Anything Goes. Her discography includes studio albums featuring interpretations of standards by composers such as Cole Porter, George Gershwin, and Harold Arlen, and she has recorded for compilations produced by Ghostlight Records and other Broadway-focused labels. Foster performs regularly at concert venues that host artists from the Great American Songbook tradition, appearing with instrumentalists who have worked with Tony Bennett and Diana Krall, and participating in cabaret nights at 54 Below and benefit concerts at Carnegie Hall.

Awards and honors

Foster is a two-time recipient of the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical (citation: winner for Thoroughly Modern Millie and nominee for Anything Goes), and she has received awards and nominations from organizations including the Drama Desk Awards, Outer Critics Circle, Obie Awards-adjacent festivals, and the Lucille Lortel Awards for off-Broadway work. She has been recognized by the Theatre World Awards and appeared on lists compiled by Playbill and The New York Times as a leading Broadway performer. Foster has been honored at events affiliated with the Drama League and received nominations at the Critics' Choice Awards for her television work. Her recordings have charted on lists managed by Billboard for cast albums and jazz/pop releases.

Personal life and philanthropy

Foster was married to Ted Griffin and has one son. She is the sister of Heidi Blickenstaff and has family ties in the Boulder and Denver performing communities. Foster participates in philanthropic work with organizations such as Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, The Actors Fund, and educational outreach programs affiliated with New Dramatists and regional theaters like Paper Mill Playhouse. She has served on panels for SAG-AFTRA-adjacent initiatives and supports arts education through partnerships with institutions including New York University theater programs and youth conservatories tied to Kennedy Center. Foster is frequently involved in benefit concerts for causes associated with healthcare and disaster relief organized by networks of Broadway artists and unions.

Category:1975 births Category:American musical theatre actresses Category:American television actresses Category:Tony Award winners