Sutton Foster kicks off MIAC Live season Sept. 21

The Mercyhurst Institute for Arts & Culture kicks off its 2023-24 MIAC Live season on Thursday, Sept. 21, with two-time Tony Award-winning singer, actress, and dancer Sutton Foster, who will perform selections from the American songbook, originals, and Broadway classics.

Foster was most recently seen on the Broadway stage as Marian Paroo in the Broadway revival of “The Music Man,” opposite Hugh Jackman. Her performance earned her a seventh Tony nomination as well as the coveted 2022 Drama League Distinguished Performance Award. 

Last fall, Foster released her memoir, “Hooked: How Crafting Saved My Life.” The page-turner is composed of funny and intimate stories and reflections about how crafting has kept her sane while navigating the highs and lows of family, love, and show business.

In the summer of 2021, Foster reprised one of her most notable roles, Reno Sweeney in “Anything Goes,” at the Barbican Theatre in London, earning an Oliver Award nomination for Best Actress in a Musical. A cinematic version of the show had a subsequent limited release in US and Australia theaters. Her original performance in the Roundabout Theatre Company’s revival at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre earned her a 2011 Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical.

On television, Foster led the critically acclaimed TV Land series “Younger.” Created by "Sex and the City's" Darren Star and styled by the iconic Pat Field, the seventh and final season premiered in April 2021, making it the longest-running original series in TV Land history.

Foster starred as The Baker’s Wife in the Hollywood Bowl’s sold-out summer 2019 production of “Into the Woods.” Previously, she appeared in the title role of the New Group’s 50th anniversary revival of “Sweet Charity” and in the Broadway revival of Jeanine Tesori and Brian Crawley’s “Violet.” Foster also appeared on stage as Queenie in New York City Center Encores! Off-Center production of “The Wild Party” in July 2015.

Under the direction of Michael Mayer, Foster starred as Millie Dillmount in the 2002 Broadway production of “Thoroughly Modern Millie” at the Marquis Theatre. Originating the role, she established herself as one of the greatest talents in the industry and earned her first Tony Award for Best Leading Actress in a Musical. Foster has originated numerous roles, including Princess Fiona in Jeanine Tesori and David Lindsay-Abaire’s “Shrek The Musical” at The Broadway Theatre, as well as Inga in Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan’s “Young Frankenstein” at Foxwoods Theatre.

Foster’s performance as Janet Van De Graaff in Casey Nicholaw’s “The Drowsy Chaperone” at the Marquis Theatre in 2006 earned her Tony Award, Drama Desk, Drama League, Outer Critics Circle, and Ovation Award nominations. Among her other theatre credits are “Les Miserables,” “The Scarlet Pimpernel,” “Annie,” and “Grease.” In addition, Foster made her Off-Broadway debut as Prudence in Paul Weitz's comedy “Trust,” which played at Second Stage Theatre and starred Zach Braff, Bobby Cannavale, and Ari Graynor.

Foster starred as Michelle Simms in Amy Sherman-Palladino’s beloved ABC Family series “Bunheads.” She reunited with Sherman-Palladino for a guest starring role in the Netflix revival, “Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life.” Foster’s additional on-screen credits include ABC’s “A Million Little Things,” CBS’s “Instinct,” HBO’s “Flight of the Conchords,” USA Network’s “Royal Pains,” NBC’s “Law & Order: SUV,” and “Elementary,” and guest appearances on the well-known children’s series “Johnny and the Sprites” and PBS’s “Sesame Street.” In 2014, Foster made her feature film debut in Phil Alden Robinson’s “The Angriest Man in Brooklyn,” and she appeared as Kerry in James Roday’s Halloween American comedy horror film “Gravy.”

As a solo artist, Foster has toured the country with her hit solo concert, which features songs from her debut solo album “Wish” as well as her follow-up album, “An Evening with Sutton Foster: Live at the Cafe Carlyle.” She has also graced the stages of Carnegie Hall, Feinstein's, Lincoln Center’s American Songbook Series, and many others. Foster released her third solo album, “Take Me to the World,” through Ghostlight Deluxe on June 1, 2018.

Foster holds an honorary doctorate from Ball State University, where she also teaches.

Tickets, priced $35-$60, can be purchased online at miac.universitytickets.com, over the phone at 814-824-3000, or in person at the Mary D’Angelo Performing Arts Center box office (open Tuesday-Thursday, noon-5 p.m.). Each order is subject to a $4 per ticket processing fee, regardless of purchase or payment method.

This performance is sponsored by Humes Chrysler Jeep Dodge & Ram and Make It Fabulous Catering & Events, and the 2023-2024 MIAC Live season is sponsored by Scott Enterprises, Aetna, the Greater Erie Alliance for Equality, and the Erie County Gaming Revenue Authority.