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She's played such iconic characters as Millie Dillmount (Thoroughly Modern Millie), Reno Sweeney (Anything Goes), Jo March (Little Women) and Mrs. Lovett (Sweeney Todd), but now Broadway favorite Sutton Foster is stepping into the shoes of a real-life legend for her next stage role: as country-music icon Loretta Lynn in the bio-musical Coal Miner's Daughter. The part will be Foster's first lead stage role since her Tony-nominated performance in 2022's The Music Man, opposite now-beau Hugh Jackman.
With Tony-winning Fun Home director Sam Gold at the helm, the new production is a theatrical adaptation of Lynn's bestselling 1976 autobiography of the same name—which tracks the singer from her humble Butcher Hollow, Kentucky beginnings as a teen bride to her rise as one of the most influential figures in the country-music scene—as well as the acclaimed 1980 film, which earned lead Sissy Spacek an Oscar win for Best Actress for her turn as the "You Ain't Woman Enough (To Take My Man)" crooner.
The casting of two-time Tony winner Sutton Foster—who was seen on the Broadway stage earlier this year in Trisha Paytas’ Big Broadway Dream, alongside other high-profile theater figures like Ben Platt and Rachel Zegler—as the late, great country singer reportedly got Lynn's stamp of approval before her death in 2022 at the age of 90, per Deadline. The musician's daughter-slash-manager, Patsy Lynn, will serve as a consulting producer on the project, along with Loretta’s longtime adviser Nancy Russell.
"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," Lynn's family said in an official 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."
Other behind-the-scenes personnel includes Tony-winning music producer Jeanine Tesori, who previously worked with Gold on Fun Home and will guide the production as it weaves in songs from Lynn's illustrious music career as well as stories from her life, some beyond the 1980 film’s ending.
The Coal Miner's Daughter musical is currently in development, so stay tuned for more intel soon!