Career Timeline of Sutton Foster: Major Achievements and Milestones
How Sutton Foster built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.
Sutton Foster is a celebrated American actress, singer, and dancer primarily known for her extensive and acclaimed Broadway career. She has received seven Tony Award nominations for Best Actress in a Musical, winning twice for her performances in "Thoroughly Modern Millie" (2002) and "Anything Goes" (2011). Foster's Broadway credits include leading roles in productions such as "Grease," "Little Women," "The Drowsy Chaperone," "Shrek the Musical," "Violet," "The Music Man," and "Sweeney Todd." Beyond the stage, she starred in the television series "Bunheads" (2012-2013) and played the lead in the comedy-drama "Younger" (2015-2021). She also earned a Laurence Olivier Award nomination for her reprise of Reno Sweeney in London's "Anything Goes" in 2021.
1995: Touring in Grease
Throughout 1995, Sutton Foster toured in the role of Sandy Dumbrowski in the musical Grease.
1996: Broadway Debut in Grease
In 1996, Sutton Foster transferred to the Broadway production of the musical Grease.
1997: Appearance in The Scarlet Pimpernel
In 1997, Sutton Foster appeared in the ensemble of the Broadway musical The Scarlet Pimpernel.
1998: Appearance in What the World Needs Now
In 1998, Sutton Foster appeared in What the World Needs Now at the Old Globe Theatre.
2000: Understudy in Les Misérables
In 2000, Sutton Foster understudied the role of Eponine Thenardier in Les Misérables on Broadway.
2002: Tony Award Win for Thoroughly Modern Millie
In 2002, Sutton Foster won the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical for her role as Millie Dillmount in Thoroughly Modern Millie.
2002: Broadway opening of Thoroughly Modern Millie
In 2002, Thoroughly Modern Millie opened on Broadway to positive reviews, with Sutton Foster receiving acclaim for her role as Millie Dillmount. She later won a Tony Award, Drama Desk Award, and Outer Critics Circle Award for her performance.
2004: Departure from Thoroughly Modern Millie
In 2004, Sutton Foster left the Broadway production of Thoroughly Modern Millie. Before leaving, she appeared in concert versions of Chess and Funny Girl.
May 2005: Co-starring in Little Women
In May 2005, Sutton Foster co-starred as Jo March in the musical adaptation of Louisa May Alcott's Little Women. She received a Tony Award nomination for her performance.
December 2005: Pre-Broadway run of The Drowsy Chaperone
In December 2005, The Drowsy Chaperone had a pre-Broadway run at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles.
May 2006: Broadway Debut in The Drowsy Chaperone
In May 2006, Sutton Foster returned to Broadway in The Drowsy Chaperone, playing Janet van de Graaff. She received a third Tony nomination for her performance.
October 2007: Young Frankenstein on Broadway
In October 2007, Sutton Foster co-starred in Mel Brooks' musical adaptation of his film Young Frankenstein as Inga, first at the Paramount Theatre and then on Broadway.
2007: Guest-starring roles
In 2007, Sutton Foster guest-starred on the children's musical puppet show Johnny and the Sprites and in a three-episode story arc on the HBO sitcom Flight of the Conchords.
July 2008: Young Frankenstein on Broadway ended
In July 2008, Sutton Foster co-starred in Mel Brooks' musical adaptation of his film Young Frankenstein on Broadway.
December 14, 2008: Opening of Shrek the Musical
On December 14, 2008, Shrek the Musical opened on Broadway, with Sutton Foster playing Princess Fiona. She won an Outer Critics Circle Award and was nominated for a Tony Award for this role.
February 2009: Release of Wish
In February 2009, Sutton Foster's debut solo album Wish was released by Ghostlight Records, featuring songs from various genres.
June 2009: Reading of Bonnie and Clyde: A Folktale
In June 2009, Sutton Foster participated in a reading of a work-in-progress new musical, Bonnie and Clyde: A Folktale. Her brother, Hunter, is writing the music for this musical.
January 3, 2010: Final performance in Shrek the Musical
On January 3, 2010, Sutton Foster gave her final performance as Princess Fiona in Shrek the Musical, when the show closed on Broadway.
January 2010: Teaching at NYU
In January 2010, Sutton Foster taught a Spring Semester master class at New York University's Tisch School of the Arts Undergraduate Department of Drama, culminating in a cabaret performance at Joe's Pub in May titled "From Rodgers To Heart".
March 3, 2010: Guest-starring in Law & Order: SVU
On March 3, 2010, Sutton Foster guest-starred in an episode of the NBC legal drama Law & Order: SVU (opposite comedian Kathy Griffin).
July 23, 2010: Previews for Trust
On July 23, 2010, Sutton Foster's Off-Broadway debut in Paul Weitz's comedy Trust, with Zach Braff, Bobby Cannavale, and Ari Graynor, began previews.
August 30, 2010: Actors Fund benefit concert version of They're Playing Our Song
On August 30, 2010, Sutton Foster and Seth Rudetsky participated in the one night only Actors Fund benefit concert version of They're Playing Our Song.
September 12, 2010: Closing of Trust
On September 12, 2010, Sutton Foster's Off-Broadway debut in Paul Weitz's comedy Trust closed at Second Stage Theatre.
September 2010: An Evening With Sutton Foster Concert tour
From September 2010 to May 2011, Sutton Foster performed a concert tour, An Evening With Sutton Foster, performing songs from both her Broadway career and her solo album.
September 2010: Relationship with Ball State University
In September 2010, Sutton Foster continued her relationship with Ball State University by working with students in the classroom, teaching master classes, and performing workshops for students of the Department of Theatre and Dance.
March 10, 2011: Anything Goes Broadway revival
On March 10, 2011, Sutton Foster began performances as Reno Sweeney in the Broadway revival of Anything Goes at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre.
April 7, 2011: Anything Goes Broadway opening
On April 7, 2011, the Broadway revival of Anything Goes, starring Sutton Foster, officially opened.
May 2011: An Evening With Sutton Foster Concert tour
From September 2010 to May 2011, Sutton Foster performed a concert tour, An Evening With Sutton Foster, performing songs from both her Broadway career and her solo album.
2011: Tony Award Win for Anything Goes
In 2011, Sutton Foster won her second Tony Award for her performance as Reno Sweeney in Anything Goes.
March 11, 2012: Final Performance in Anything Goes
On March 11, 2012, Sutton Foster gave her final performance in the Broadway revival of Anything Goes before being replaced by Stephanie J. Block.
June 11, 2012: Premiere of Bunheads
On June 11, 2012, the television comedy-drama Bunheads, starring Sutton Foster, premiered on ABC Family.
October 2012: Performance in The Circus in Winter
In October 2012, Sutton Foster performed 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.
2012: Lead role in Bunheads
In 2012, Sutton Foster played the lead role in the ABC Family comedy-drama Bunheads.
2013: Bunheads ended
In 2013, Bunheads, where Sutton Foster played the lead role, ended.
2013: Guest starring in Psych
In 2013, Sutton Foster guest starred in an episode of Psych and starred as Kerry in actor James Roday's comedic thriller Gravy.
2013: Kennedy Center Honors
In 2013, Sutton Foster made her third appearance at the Kennedy Center Honors, performing for the tribute to Shirley MacLaine.
August 2014: Starring in Violet
From March to August 2014, Sutton Foster starred in the Roundabout Theatre Company production of the musical Violet at the American Airlines Theatre. She received her sixth Tony Award nomination for her performance.
January 13, 2015: Original release date of Younger
Originally, on January 13, 2015, the TV Land single-camera comedy-drama pilot Younger, starring Sutton Foster, was set to be released.
March 31, 2015: Premiere of Younger
On March 31, 2015, the TV Land series Younger, starring Sutton Foster as Liza Miller, premiered.
April 2015: Carnegie Hall debut
In April 2015, Sutton Foster made her Carnegie Hall debut with guest appearances from Joshua Henry and Megan McGinnis. This was part of the An Evening With Sutton Foster: Broadway In Concert tour.
July 2015: Performance in The Wild Party
In July 2015, Sutton Foster returned to Encores! to play Queenie in Andrew Lippa's The Wild Party.
2015: Starring in Younger
In 2015, Sutton Foster began starring in the TV Land comedy-drama Younger.
January 2016: Younger renewed for a second season
In January 2016, Younger, starring Sutton Foster, was renewed for a second season and began airing.
June 2016: Appearance on Match Game
In June 2016, Sutton Foster appeared on the game show "Match Game", which was broadcast on ABC.
July 2016: Filming Younger season three
In July 2016, filming for season three of Younger began, and the series was renewed for a fourth season.
November 2, 2016: Sweet Charity Revival
On November 2, 2016, Sutton Foster began previews for the Off-Broadway revival of "Sweet Charity" as Charity Hope Valentine at the Pershing Square Signature Center.
January 8, 2017: End of Sweet Charity Revival
On January 8, 2017, Sutton Foster concluded her run in the Off-Broadway revival of "Sweet Charity" at the Pershing Square Signature Center.
December 2017: Christmas Concerts
In December 2017, Sutton Foster performed as a guest artist for the Mormon Tabernacle Choir's annual Christmas concerts.
2017: Younger season 4 aired
In the summer of 2017, season 4 of Younger aired and had positive reviews.
April 20, 2018: Live From Lincoln Center Airing
On April 20, 2018, the concert featuring Sutton Foster and Jonathan Groff performing a selection of songs at The Appel Room at Lincoln Center aired on PBS's "Live From Lincoln Center".
October 2021: London Theatre Debut in Anything Goes
In October 2021, Sutton Foster made her London theatre debut, reprising her role as Reno Sweeney in "Anything Goes" at the Barbican Theatre, receiving positive reviews.
October 2021: Publication of Hooked
In October 2021, Sutton Foster published her memoir, "Hooked", where she discusses how crafts helped her through challenging moments.
December 2021: Broadway Return in The Music Man
In December 2021, Sutton Foster returned to Broadway, starring as Marian Paroo in a revival of "The Music Man" opposite Hugh Jackman.
December 2021: Anything Goes Broadcast in UK Cinemas
In December 2021, the production of "Anything Goes" starring Sutton Foster was broadcast in UK cinemas.
2021: Anything Goes in London
In 2021, Sutton Foster reprised her role as Reno Sweeney in Anything Goes for a London production, receiving a Laurence Olivier Award nomination for Best Actress in a Musical.
January 15, 2023: Final Performance of The Music Man
On January 15, 2023, the production of "The Music Man" starring Sutton Foster played its final performance.
March 2023: Faculty at Ball State University
As of March 2023, Sutton Foster joined the faculty of Ball State University as an instructor of theatre, focusing on internships.
February 2024: Sweeney Todd on Broadway
In February 2024, Sutton Foster replaced Annaleigh Ashford in the Broadway revival of "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street" as Mrs. Lovett for a 12-week limited engagement.
May 2024: Once Upon a Mattress Transfer to Broadway
In May 2024, it was announced that the production of "Once Upon a Mattress", in which Sutton Foster starred as Princess Winnifred, would transfer to Broadway's Hudson Theatre for a limited engagement starting in July.
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