Sutton Foster to Play Country Music Legend Loretta Lynn in Broadway'sCoal Miner's DaughterMusical

Mar. 15, 2025

Sutton Foster; Loretta Lynn.Photo:The Hapa Blonde/GC Images; Graphic House/Getty

Sutton Foster is seen at the Michael Kors show in Hudson Yards on September 10, 2024 in New York City. American country singer and songwriter Loretta Lynn performs on stage at the Grand Ole Opry, Nashville, Tennessee, early 1960s.

The Hapa Blonde/GC Images; Graphic House/Getty

Sutton Fosterwill soon be back on Broadway!

The two-time Tony Award winner, 49, is set to playLoretta LynninCoal Miner’s Daughter, a new musical in development about the country icon’s music and life.

Based on Lynn and George Vecsey’s autobiography and the 1980Sissy Spacek-starring movie of the same name,Coal Miner’s Daughterunites Foster with a pair of heavyweight Broadway creatives: director Sam Gold and composer Jeanine Tesori, who last worked together on the Tony-winningFun Home.

“Coal Miner’s Daughterchronicles Loretta’s rise from humble beginnings in rural Kentucky to country music legend,” reads a press release. “The stage adaptation will include songs from Loretta’s career and share stories from Loretta’s life beyond the film’s ending.”

Sutton Foster.Dominik Bindl/Getty

Sutton Foster attends the 2024 Drama Desk Awards at NYU Skirball Center on June 10, 2024 in New York City.

Dominik Bindl/Getty

Lynn left an inspiring country music legacy when shedied in 2022at age 90. Among the new stage show’s collaborators are consulting producersPatsy Lynn— the Grammy winner’s daughter and manager — and Nancy Russell, her longtime advisor.

“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 of Lynn in a statement, adding that the singer-songwriter herself approved of Foster playing her onstage.

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Loretta Lynn.Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Circa 1980, American country singer and songwriter Loretta Lynn performs on stage, wearing a long dress.

Hulton Archive/Getty Images

TheCoal Miner’s Daughterfilm was a critical and commercial hit, winning Spacek an Oscar and earning a Best Picture nomination. News of a stage adaptation has circulated before; in 2012,Lynn announcedthatZooey Deschanelwould play her in a Broadway production that never came to light.

Foster will earn her 15th Broadway credit forThe Coal Miner’s Daughter. She last appeared as Princess Winnifred in 2024’s revival ofOnce Upon a Mattress, and earned her seventh Tony nomination in 2022 for theHugh Jackman-starring revival ofThe Music Man.

source: people.com