Seth Rudetsky's Broadway Concert Series: Sutton Foster

On March 20, Parker Playhouse in Fort Lauderdale played host to Tony Award winner Sutton Foster in concert with Seth Rudetsky.

Foster is one of today's leading Broadway Belters. She is from the new generation in a long line of stars that runs from Ethel Merman and Mary Martin to Bernadette Peters and Patti LuPone. Foster has a voice that recalls each of these women and yet has a personality and characteristic that is unique and individual.

Foster's performance as the lead in 2002's "Thoroughly Modern Millie" secured her first Tony and catapulted her into stardom. Now at 40, she is in her prime with a long career ahead of her.

Radio host Rudetsky is also one of the best accompanists in New York and has worked as rehearsal pianist for numerous Broadway shows. In this concert series, Rudetsky punctuates the musical performances with talk show style interview sessions.

Foster began by singing "I Get a Kick out Of You" from the musical "Anything Goes." In the 2011 Broadway revival of this musical, Foster played the role of Reno Sweeney and won her second Tony.

Next up was a duet of "Summer Lovin'" from the musical "Grease" which was an early career highlight for Foster. This was followed by "On My Own" from "Les Miserables," Foster having played the role of Eponine on one of the national tours of this classic musical.

Foster created the role of Inga in the Broadway production of "Young Frankenstein The Musical" and for her next number she treated the audience to the yodeling song "Roll in the Hay."

A nod to "Funny Girl" was taken with the song "I'm the Greatest Star." Following this Foster sang the lullaby "Lay Down Your Head" from her most recent Broadway musical, "Violet."

Foster's youthful expression and looks keeps her being cast in ing�nue roles even though she has just recently celebrated her 40th birthday. As a change of pace she has added "Rose's Turn," Mama Rose's big number from "Gypsy," to her concert repertoire and gave a rousing rendition of this show stopping number, which was cheered by Friday night's audience.

Foster and Rudetsky then treated the audience to a medley of some of the numbers she has used for audition purposes. This included "Hey There" from "The Pajama Game," "A Cock-eyed Optimist" from "South Pacific" and the title song from "Oklahoma!"

Foster and Rudetsky had a strong amount of chemistry together during the interview portions of the program. Foster comes across as a woman you'd enjoy going out to have a beer with -- she doesn't need anything fancy and seems so personable that it would be all about the conversation. She is real, warm, funny and friendly and a sense of that comes across the stage and embraces the audience. She is completely human and that is an attitude that celebrities don't always convey, however in this instance it is a part of her star quality.

For the final number Foster sang "Gimme Gimme" from "Thoroughly Modern Millie." Foster was not originally slated for the lead role, having been cast in a featured chorus part. But when Erin Dilly bowed out of the pre-Broadway try-outs, Foster was promoted to the lead. "Gimme Gimme" was written specifically for her at the last minute during the rehearsal process. The song is perfectly suited to her high belt. Foster delivered a powerhouse performance of this number that had the audience yelling for more.

As an encore, Foster again visited Reno Sweeney and sang the title song from "Anything Goes" much to the delight of the audience.

Sutton Foster and Seth Rudetsky performed on March 20 at Parker Playhouse, 707 NE 8th St. in Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304. For information about other upcoming events, call call 954-462-0222 or visit parkerplayhouse.org