Hunter Foster
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Hunter Foster (born June 25, 1969) is an American musical theatre actor, singer, librettist, playwright and director.
Key Information
Career
[edit]After touring in several shows and playing on Broadway, in 2001 he was cast in his breakthrough role of Bobby Strong in Urinetown, for which he received a Lucille Lortel Award and a nomination for an Outer Critics Circle Award. In 2003, Foster starred as Seymour in the Broadway revival of Little Shop of Horrors, for which he received his first Tony Award nomination.[1]
Foster appeared as Leo Bloom in The Producers on Broadway, Ensign Pulver in Mister Roberts at the Kennedy Center, and Ben in Modern Orthodox off-Broadway. He also starred as Molina in Kiss of the Spider Woman at the Signature Theatre in Arlington, Virginia.[2]
Foster's writing includes the libretto for an off-Broadway 2002 musical based on the motion picture Summer of '42 and writing an adaptation of the film Bonnie and Clyde with Urinetown co-star Rick Crom.[3] "Bonnie & Clyde: A Folktale" was workshopped in residency at the Academy for New Musical Theatre, through the ASCAP Foundation Irving Caesar Fund Fellowship, a Producer-Writer Initiative granted through the National Alliance for Musical Theatre.[4] Foster was one of the writers for Rosie O'Donnell's 2008 NBC series Rosie Live, which was cancelled after the first episode.
Foster played the role of music producer Sam Phillips in the musical Million Dollar Quartet on Broadway at the Nederlander Theatre, which opened on April 11, 2010.[5] Foster then portrayed Richard Hoover in the musical Little Miss Sunshine at the La Jolla Playhouse until March 27, 2011. He appeared on the ABC Family show Bunheads as Scotty Sims, the brother of main character Michelle, who is portrayed by his real-life sister Sutton Foster. He originated the role of Bud in the musical The Bridges of Madison County in 2014.[6]
He has directed plays and musicals at the Bucks County Playhouse as well as at regional theaters. He directed Company in 2015 and Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story in June 2016 at Bucks County Playhouse.[7]
Personal life
[edit]Foster is the older brother of actress Sutton Foster. He is married to actress and occasional co-star Jennifer Cody; they have lived in Teaneck, New Jersey.[8]
Stage credits
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | Cats | Rum Tum Tugger | US National Tour | [9] |
| 1994 | Grease | Roger; Danny u/s; Kenickie u/s; Teen Angel u/s | Broadway | [10] |
| 1997 | King David | Ensemble; Jonathan u/s; Absalom u/s | Broadway | [11] |
| Children of Eden | Abel/Ham | Regional | [12] | |
| 1998 | Les Misérables | Joly; Marius u/s | Broadway | [11] |
| Footloose | Bickle; Ren u/s | Broadway | [10] | |
| 1999 | Martin Guerre | Victor | Broadway | [13] |
| 2001 | Urinetown | Bobby Strong (original) | Off-Broadway | [14] |
| Broadway | ||||
| 2002 | Earth Girls Are Easy | Mac | Off-Broadway | [15] |
| 2003 | Little Shop of Horrors | Seymour | Broadway | [16] |
| 2004–2006 | The Producers | Leo Bloom | Broadway & US Tour | [17] |
| 2005 | Mister Roberts | Ensign Pulver | Regional | [18] |
| Modern Orthodox | Ben | Off-Broadway | [19] | |
| 2007 | The Producers | Leo Bloom | Broadway | [20] |
| Frankenstein – A New Musical | Victor Frankenstein | Off-Broadway | [21] | |
| 2008 | Kiss of the Spider Woman | Luis Alberto Molina | Regional | [2] |
| Dust | Zeke | Off-Broadway | [22] | |
| 2009 | Happiness | Stanley | Off-Broadway | [23] |
| Into the Woods | The Baker | Regional | [24] | |
| 2010 | Million Dollar Quartet | Sam Phillips | Broadway | [5] |
| Ordinary Days | Jason (original) | Off-Broadway | [25] | |
| 2011 | Burning | Performer | Off-Broadway | [26] |
| 2012 | Hands on a Hardbody | Benny Perkins (original) | Regional | [27] |
| Broadway | [28] | |||
| 2014 | The Bridges of Madison County | Bud (original) | Broadway | [6] |
| 2015 | Spamalot | King Arthur | Regional | [29] |
| 2016 | The Music Man | Harold Hill | Regional | [30] |
Awards and nominations
[edit]| Year | Award ceremony | Category | Show | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Lucille Lortel Awards | Outstanding Lead Actor | Urinetown | Nominated |
| Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Actor in a Musical | Nominated | ||
| 2004 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Actor in a Musical | Little Shop of Horrors | Nominated |
| Tony Awards | Best Actor in a Musical | Nominated | ||
| Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Actor in a Musical | Nominated | ||
| 2009 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical | Happiness | Nominated |
References
[edit]- ^ "Little Shop of Horrors Tony Awards Info". BroadwayWorld.
- ^ a b Jones, Kenneth (January 9, 2008). "Dressing Them Up: Hunter Foster Will Be Molina in DC Spider Woman". Playbill. Retrieved March 28, 2021.
- ^ Simonson, Robert (July 2, 2008). "PLAYBILL.COM'S BRIEF ENCOUNTER With Hunter Foster". Playbill. Retrieved March 28, 2021.
- ^ "New Musical News". anmt.org. April 2008. Archived from the original on April 10, 2008.
- ^ a b Gans, Andrew (January 21, 2010). "Foster and Stanley Will Join Original Chicago Quartet for Broadway's Million Dollar Quartet". Playbill. Retrieved March 28, 2021.
- ^ a b Hetrick, Adam (March 3, 2014). "Cast of Jason Robert Brown's The Bridges of Madison County Heads to the Recording Studio March 3". Playbill.
- ^ "John Dewey to Lead Bucks County Playhouse's Hunter Foster-Helmed BUDDY: THE BUDDY HOLLY STORY". BroadwayWorld. June 8, 2016.
- ^ Wong, Wayman. "The Leading Men: Hunter Green", Playbill, September 2, 2003. Accessed February 8, 2024. "Foster is married to Jennifer Cody (Urinetown, Taboo); the cute couple live in Teaneck, N.J., with Zach, their Yorkshire terrier."
- ^ "Jennifer Cody & Hunter Foster". Broadway.com. February 9, 2006. Retrieved July 5, 2021.
- ^ a b "Hunter Foster". Playbill. Retrieved July 5, 2021.
- ^ a b "Hunter Foster Theatre Credits". BroadwayWorld. Retrieved July 5, 2021.
- ^ Daniels, Robert L. (November 29, 1997). "Review: Children of Eden". Variety. Retrieved July 5, 2021.
- ^ Phillips, Michael (February 25, 2000). "'Martin,' Is That You?". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on October 25, 2019. Retrieved July 5, 2021.
- ^ Jones, Kenneth (March 14, 2003). "Hunter Foster Sticks With Urinetown Til March 20; Pollock Joins March 21". Playbill. Retrieved July 5, 2021.
- ^ "Deven May, Hunter Foster Join Earth Girls Are Easy Reading Sept. 30". Playbill. August 16, 2002. Retrieved July 5, 2021.
- ^ Gans, Andrew (February 7, 2003). "Casting for Broadway Little Shop Confirmed: Hunter Foster and Alice Ripley Head Company". Playbill. Retrieved July 5, 2021.
- ^ Jones, Kenneth (July 5, 2005). "Together Again, Tony Nominees Foster and Oscar Are The Producers on Broadway July 5". Playbill. Retrieved July 5, 2021.
- ^ Gans, Andrew (March 12, 2005). "Mister Roberts Begins Limited Engagement at Kennedy Center March 12". Playbill. Retrieved July 5, 2021.
- ^ Simonson, Robert (April 12, 2005). "Hunter Foster and Sarah Chalke Join Modern Orthodox April 12". Playbill. Retrieved July 5, 2021.
- ^ "The Producers: Hunter Foster to reprise his role as 'Leo Bloom'". New York Theatre Guide. January 23, 2007. Retrieved July 5, 2021.
- ^ Jones, Kenneth (August 17, 2007). "The Doctor Is In! Hunter Foster Will Manage a Fresh Shop of Horrors in Frankenstein". Playbill. Retrieved July 5, 2021.
- ^ Saltz, Rachel (December 8, 2008). "Across a Class Divide, a Grudge Match Easily Festers Into Violence". The New York Times. Retrieved July 5, 2021.
- ^ "Hunter Foster Completes the Cast of Lincoln Center Theater's Happiness". Broadway.com. January 13, 2009. Retrieved July 5, 2021.
- ^ PHOTO CALL: Into The Woods, with Leavel and Foster, Rehearses at Pittsburgh CLO
- ^ Jones, Kenneth (August 19, 2009). "Hunter Foster Is One of Four in NYC Premiere of Musical Ordinary Days". Playbill. Retrieved July 5, 2021.
- ^ Hetrick, Adam (November 14, 2011). "Burning, Starring Hunter Foster and Stephen Tyrone Williams, Opens Off-Broadway Nov. 14". Playbill. Retrieved July 5, 2021.
- ^ Stevens, Rob (May 14, 2012). "Review: Hands on a Hardbody". TheaterMania. Retrieved July 5, 2021.
- ^ Ng, David (October 3, 2012). "'Hands on a Hardbody' sets March opening on Broadway". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on July 5, 2021. Retrieved July 5, 2021.
- ^ Peterson, Tyler (July 28, 2015). "Broadway Couple Hunter Foster & Jennifer Cody Will Lead SPAMALOT at Geva Theatre Center". BroadwayWorld. Retrieved July 5, 2021.
- ^ Music Man Muny
External links
[edit]Hunter Foster
View on GrokipediaEarly life and education
Early years
Hunter Foster was born on June 25, 1969, in Lumberton, North Carolina.[8] Following his birth, the family relocated to Statesboro, Georgia, where his father worked as a regional car salesman, leading to frequent moves due to job transfers.[8] Much of Foster's childhood was spent in Augusta, Georgia, with additional time in Athens, Georgia, shaping his early years amid a nomadic family lifestyle.[9] He grew up with his younger sister, Sutton Foster, who is six years his junior, in a household without strong familial pressure toward the performing arts, though both siblings later pursued careers on stage.[8][10] Foster's initial exposure to theater came at age 13, when he performed as Linus in a local production of You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown at the recreation department in Augusta.[11] This early experience ignited his interest in performing, marking the beginning of his engagement with the arts in his Southern hometown.[11]Education
Foster attended the University of Michigan's Department of Musical Theatre in the School of Music, graduating in 1992 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre.[4][12] During his undergraduate studies, Foster received rigorous training in core musical theatre disciplines, including the analysis of classic and contemporary works, audition techniques, rapid absorption and mastery of new material, creative role interpretation, and strategies for self-marketing to agents and casting directors.[13] The program's comprehensive curriculum, overseen by department chair Brent Wagner, encompassed all aspects of performing arts, fostering his foundational skills in acting, singing, and emerging directorial approaches that would define his career trajectory.[13] This educational foundation provided Foster with his initial immersion in the professional Broadway ecosystem, bridging academic preparation to real-world application. Upon completing his degree in 1992, he seamlessly transitioned into the professional theatre scene, leveraging the practical insights gained from his university experiences.[13]Career
Early theatre roles
Foster's professional theater career commenced in 1993 with the role of Rum Tum Tugger in the fourth national tour of Cats, a production that ran for over a decade and provided him with his initial exposure to large-scale musical theater on the road.[14] He made his Broadway debut the following year in the revival of Grease at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre, portraying Roger while also understudying Danny Zuko, Kenickie, and Teen Angel; the show, which opened on May 11, 1994, and ran for nearly four years, marked a significant step in his transition to New York stage work.[15] In 1997, Foster joined the original Broadway cast of King David at the New Amsterdam Theatre, performing as an ensemble member and understudying the roles of Jonathan and Absalom in Alan Menken's biblical musical, which had a limited run of six performances from May 18 to 23.[16] By 1998, he had entered the long-running production of Les Misérables at the Imperial Theatre, where he played Joly and served as understudy for Marius, contributing to the show's ensemble during its extended Broadway tenure that began in 1987.[17] Throughout the 1990s, these supporting and understudy positions in prominent musicals offered Foster foundational experience in high-profile productions, blending touring demands with Broadway rigor.[18]Broadway and breakthrough performances
Hunter Foster's breakthrough on Broadway came with his portrayal of the idealistic rebel Bobby Strong in the satirical musical Urinetown, which originated Off-Broadway in 2001 before transferring to the Lyceum Theatre.[4] In this role, Foster delivered a charismatic performance marked by a powerful voice and comedic timing, earning an Outer Critics Circle Award nomination and the Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Lead Actor, which helped establish him as a leading man capable of anchoring innovative productions.[19][20] The show's success, including three Tony Awards, marked a pivotal shift in Foster's career, transitioning him from supporting roles to high-profile leads and highlighting his versatility in blending humor with social commentary.[2] Building on this momentum, Foster earned his first Tony Award nomination for Best Actor in a Musical as the hapless florist Seymour Krelborn in the 2003 revival of Little Shop of Horrors at the Virginia Theatre. Critics praised his nuanced depiction of the character's moral descent, with one review noting his "terrific" embodiment of the "Faustian nebbish" driven by ambition and love.[21] This performance, alongside collaborators like Kerry Butler and directed by Michael Mayer, solidified Foster's reputation for dramatic depth in rock musicals, further elevating his profile through the revival's extended run of nearly nine months. He also received a Drama Desk Award nomination for Outstanding Actor in a Musical.[22][23] Foster continued to take on prominent roles in major productions, including the ensemble part of Bickle in the original 1998 Broadway run of Footloose at the Richard Rodgers Theatre, where he contributed to the show's energetic choreography and rock score.[5] He later replaced Roger Bart as the neurotic accountant Leo Bloom in Mel Brooks' The Producers during its long run at the St. James Theatre from 2006 to 2007, showcasing his comedic flair in a high-stakes comedy that grossed over $100 million.[24] In 2013, he played the ambitious salesman Benny Perkins in the short-lived but critically noted Hands on a Hardbody at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre, directed by Neil Pepe, where his portrayal added emotional grit to the ensemble-driven story of endurance.[25] Foster originated the role of Sun Records founder Sam Phillips in Million Dollar Quartet at the Nederlander Theatre in 2010, capturing the music mogul's visionary intensity amid the jukebox musical's rock 'n' roll energy. His Broadway tenure culminated in originating Bud Johnson, the steadfast farmer, in the 2014 premiere of The Bridges of Madison County at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre, opposite Kelli O'Hara and Steven Pasquale, where reviewers commended his "quietly endearing" support of the central romance under Bartlett Sher's direction.[26] These roles, spanning revivals and originals, progressively raised Foster's stature through collaborations with luminaries like Susan Stroman and Jason Robert Brown, emphasizing his reliability in both comedic and heartfelt narratives. Foster extended his stage persona to television with guest appearances that echoed his theatrical charm, including Scotty, the estranged brother of Sutton Foster's character, on the ABC Family series Bunheads in 2012.[27] He also appeared as Adam Cross in the web series Submissions Only (2010) and Dan in O.T.P. (2014), roles that leveraged his Broadway-honed wit in shorter-form storytelling.[7]Directing and writing endeavors
Hunter Foster's directing career gained momentum in the mid-2010s, building on his background as a performer to assume creative leadership roles in regional and Off-Broadway theater. As an Artistic Associate at Bucks County Playhouse since 2015, he has helmed multiple productions there, including the Stephen Sondheim revival Company in 2015, which featured a reimagined ensemble approach to the show's themes of marriage and urban life.[28] His direction of the classic tap musical 42nd Street at the same venue in 2018 earned widespread acclaim for its high-energy choreography and nostalgic flair, leading to his recognition as "Director of the Year" by The Wall Street Journal.[29] Foster's recent directing work extends to other prominent regional houses. At Goodspeed Opera House, he directed the satirical The Drowsy Chaperone in 2018, infusing the 1920s pastiche with sharp comedic timing and visual wit, again securing The Wall Street Journal's "Director of the Year" honor for that season.[30] In 2024, he directed Ingmar Bergman's-inspired A Little Night Music at Ogunquit Playhouse, starring Kathleen Turner as Madame Armfeldt, emphasizing the musical's blend of romance and melancholy.[3][31] That same year, Foster directed a vibrant production of Little Shop of Horrors at Ogunquit, featuring drag queen Latrice Royale as the voice of Audrey II, which highlighted his ability to infuse cult favorites with fresh, inclusive energy.[3][32] Off-Broadway, he directed the introspective musical The Other Josh Cohen at the Westside Theatre in 2018, guiding a dual-cast narrative about identity and loss that balanced humor with emotional depth.[33] In parallel with directing, Foster has made notable contributions as a writer, particularly in adapting and expanding musical theater properties. He provided additional material and co-wrote the book for Clue: On Stage, a comedic adaptation of the 1985 film and board game, which he also directed in its 2017 world premiere at Bucks County Playhouse; the show has since become one of the most frequently produced plays in the United States, with numerous professional and amateur stagings.[3][34] Earlier, Foster served as librettist for the satirical musical Bonnie & Clyde: A Folktale, a comic reimagining of the infamous outlaws' story with music and lyrics by Rick Crom, which premiered at Aurora Theatre in Lawrenceville, Georgia, in 2012 and later received developmental workshops.[35] These writing efforts, alongside his directing, underscore Foster's multifaceted evolution in theater, where his post-2015 projects have filled key gaps in his portfolio by prioritizing innovative revivals and new adaptations that resonate with contemporary audiences. In 2025, Foster continued directing with productions of The Play That Goes Wrong at Clarence Brown Theatre in April, South Pacific at John W. Engeman Theater in May, and Million Dollar Quartet at Theatre Workshop of Nantucket in July.[36][6]Personal life
Family background
Hunter Foster was born on June 25, 1969, in Lumberton, North Carolina, to parents Bob and Helen Foster. His father, Bob, originally from North Carolina, worked as a regional car salesman for General Motors, which necessitated frequent family relocations, including a transfer to Statesboro, Georgia, shortly after Hunter's birth. There, his younger sister, Sutton Foster, was born on March 18, 1975. The family later lived in Augusta, Georgia, where both siblings developed an early interest in theatre through local productions at the Augusta Players.[37][38][8][39] Foster shares a close personal and professional bond with his sister Sutton Foster, rooted in their mutual passion for musical theatre and early shared experiences in the performing arts. The siblings have occasionally collaborated onstage, most notably together in the 1996 national tour of the Grease revival, where Hunter played Roger and Sutton portrayed Sandy Dumbrowski. Their parents actively supported their theatrical ambitions, attending performances with enthusiasm and even volunteering to help build sets for community shows, fostering an environment that encouraged creative pursuits despite the family's modest background.[40][41][8][42]Marriage and residence
Hunter Foster has been married to actress Jennifer Cody since 1997.[43] Cody, a fellow Broadway performer known for roles in productions like Shrek the Musical and Urinetown, shares Foster's passion for musical theatre, and the couple has collaborated on several projects, including co-starring in the 1994 Tony-nominated revival of Grease, during which they met and married.[44] They have also worked together on the off-Broadway musical Summer of '42 and the national tour of Grease.[45] The couple resides in Teaneck, New Jersey, a suburb about 10 miles northwest of Manhattan that offers a family-friendly environment while remaining easily accessible to the New York theatre district via short commutes.[46] This location has been particularly advantageous for their careers in Broadway and regional theatre.[45] They have two children.[45]Stage credits
Broadway credits
Hunter Foster's Broadway acting credits, drawn from verified theatre records, are presented below in chronological order by his first involvement in each production. These include principal roles, ensemble parts, and understudy/replacement work where applicable.[5]| Production | Role | Dates of Involvement | Overall Run |
|---|---|---|---|
| Les Misérables | Chain Gang (Replacement); Understudy: Marius (Replacement) | 1990s (specific dates not listed) | Mar 12, 1987 – May 18, 2003 |
| Grease | Roger; Understudy: Teen Angel (Replacement), Kenickie (Additional), Danny Zuko (Additional) | May 11, 1994 – Jan 25, 1998 | May 11, 1994 – Jan 25, 1998 |
| King David | Ensemble; Understudy: Jonathan, Absalom | May 18, 1997 – Jun 01, 1997 | May 18, 1997 – Jun 01, 1997 |
| Footloose | Bickle, Ensemble; Understudy: Ren McCormack, Coach Dunbar, Chuck Cranston | Oct 22, 1998 – Jul 02, 2000 | Oct 22, 1998 – Jul 02, 2000 |
| Urinetown | Bobby Strong (Original and Replacement) | Aug 27, 2001 – Mar 20, 2003; Replacement Jul 08, 2003 – Jul 27, 2003 | Sep 20, 2001 – Jan 18, 2004 |
| Little Shop of Horrors | Seymour | Aug 29, 2003 – Jun 06, 2004 | Oct 02, 2003 – Aug 22, 2004 |
| The Producers | Leo Bloom (Replacement) | Jun 15, 2004 – Jan 10, 2005; Jul 05, 2005 – May 14, 2006; Jul 27, 2006 – ?; Jan 23, 2007 – ? | Apr 19, 2001 – Apr 22, 2007 |
| Million Dollar Quartet | Sam Phillips (Also Starring; Replacement) | Replacement May 03, 2011 – Jun 12, 2011 | Apr 11, 2010 – Jun 12, 2011 |
| Hands on a Hardbody | Benny Perkins | Mar 21, 2013 – Apr 13, 2013 | Mar 21, 2013 – Apr 13, 2013 |
| The Bridges of Madison County | Bud (Also Starring) | Feb 20, 2014 – May 18, 2014 | Feb 20, 2014 – May 18, 2014 |
