Sutton Foster is taking her talents back to Broadway! The Younger star will be gracing the stage in a new musical exploring the life of late country legend Loretta Lynn.
Sutton, 49, shared the big career announcement via a joint Instagram post with Playbill on Wednesday, February 19, amid her budding romance with Hugh Jackman.
A live production of the bestselling autobiography-turned-hit film Coal Miner’s Daughter is officially underway, and Sutton has been cast as the lead for the project chronicling Loretta’s journey from her humble beginnings in Kentucky to becoming a bonafide music superstar.
Sam Gold will be leading the stage musical adaption which “will include songs” from the icon’s career as well as stories “from her life” beyond the 1980 film’s ending, according to Deadline.
Jeanine Tesori is leading the music production team, reuniting Jeanine and Sam after the 2015 musical Fun Home. Plus, some of Loretta’s inner circle has signed on for the project. Patsy Lynn, the singer’s manager-producer and daughter will serve as a consulting producer as will Loretta’s longtime adviser Nancy Russell.
Although Loretta died in October 2022 at the age of 90, her family said the “I’m a Honky Tonk Girl” hitmaker had already approved of Sutton securing the coveted role.
“We are so grateful to see that our mother’s life story and music will continue to touch the hearts of audiences and remain an important statement of the American dream,” said the family in a statement. “As one of the last creative projects our mom was so passionate about, we are thankful that she had the opportunity to experience the initial stages of Sutton’s sincere portrayal of Loretta. Mom absolutely fell in love with her and thought she was just the right person to play her onstage. The family is moved by this incredible team’s commitment to her legacy.”
Loretta, an 18-time Grammy nominee, won a Grammy three times and proved her prowess yet again as the only female ACM Artist of the Decade for the 1970s.
Sutton is no flash in the pan either. She notably appeared in the Broadway production Anything Goes, for which she won a Tony Award thanks to her portrayal of Reno Sweeney in 2011, as well as Thoroughly Modern Millie, for which she took home a Tony Award in 2002 after her captivating performance as Millie Dillmount.
Meanwhile, Sutton’s romance with Hugh, 56, continues to heat up after the couple went public with their relationship in early January following his split from wife Deborra-Lee Furness.
Sutton, who filed for divorce from her ex Ted Griffin in October 2024, was seen supporting the Deadpool & Wolverine actor at the opening of his Broadway show From New York, With Love, just last month.
Sources told Closer that Hugh is very serious about a future with Sutton. “Hugh had a lot of back and forth while he was in Australia for the holidays but ultimately, he realized how much he missed her. The magic came flooding back when they reunited and ultimately marriage is the end game for these two. Hugh is clear he wants to make Sutton his wife,” an insider revealed.
