In 2024, Broadway belonged to Sutton Foster and Hugh Jackman. Their pairing in The Music Man was one of the most anticipated revivals in decades, drawing sellout crowds and redefining classic musical theatre for a modern audience.
The Music Man revival: a Broadway juggernaut
When producers announced in 2019 that Hugh Jackman would return to Broadway in The Music Man, anticipation skyrocketed. The show was delayed by the pandemic, but when previews began in late 2021, the revival instantly became the hottest ticket in New York. Sutton Foster was cast as Marian Paroo, a role that highlighted her elegance and vocal power, opposite Jackman’s charismatic Harold Hill. According to Playbill’s production notes, the show opened officially in February 2022 at the Winter Garden Theatre.
A box office phenomenon
The revival grossed consistently over $3 million per week, placing it among Broadway’s top earners. Jackman’s global celebrity drew new audiences, while Foster’s Broadway reputation ensured theatre purists embraced the production. Reports from The New York Times review praised Foster’s layered Marian, calling her performance “unexpectedly witty and commanding.”
Critical acclaim for Sutton Foster
Foster, already a two-time Tony winner, proved she could hold her own alongside one of Hollywood’s most bankable stars. Her Marian was not just a romantic interest but a full character — witty, grounded, and sly. Critics often noted that she stole the spotlight in several numbers, especially in “Goodnight My Someone” and “My White Knight.” This performance earned her the Drama League Distinguished Performance Award in 2022, one of theatre’s most coveted honors.
Hugh Jackman’s Broadway return
Jackman’s Harold Hill combined movie-star charisma with genuine theatrical chops. Audiences who knew him as Wolverine discovered his musical side, while Broadway fans were reminded why he won a Tony for The Boy from Oz. His chemistry with Foster was undeniable, blending old-school Broadway tradition with Hollywood glamour.
The 2024 run and closing
Though the production was announced as a limited run, its massive success extended it through 2024. The closing performance was a Broadway event in itself, with tickets reselling for thousands of dollars. Foster and Jackman took their final bows to a standing ovation, cementing the revival’s place in Broadway history. As Wikipedia’s Broadway revival archive records, the production ran for nearly two years, an impressive feat for a revival.
Legacy of the collaboration
For Sutton Foster, the show was proof of her enduring star power at 50. For Hugh Jackman, it was a reminder that he remains one of the few Hollywood actors who can cross back into theatre seamlessly. Together, they drew new audiences to Broadway at a time when the industry desperately needed revival post-pandemic.
The personal connection
Their on-stage chemistry spilled into off-stage friendship and, eventually, headlines about a 2025 relationship. While media outlets like People covered the romance, Broadway fans already understood: their bond was forged through eight shows a week at the Winter Garden Theatre.
Frequently asked questions about Sutton Foster and Hugh Jackman 2024
They starred together in the 2022–24 Broadway revival of The Music Man at the Winter Garden Theatre.
Foster played Marian Paroo while Jackman played Harold Hill.
The production opened in February 2022 and ran until 2024, becoming one of Broadway’s top-grossing revivals.
Yes. She won the Drama League Distinguished Performance Award in 2022 for her role as Marian Paroo.
