Sutton Foster has landed a coveted gig playing country legend Loretta Lynn in Broadway’s Coal Miner’s Daughter musical — and boyfriend Hugh Jackman is taking a keen mentoring role as they plan out a golden future together on the Great White Way, insiders exclusively tell Closer.
“Hugh has had his Broadway career going strong for a long time, and actually [estranged wife Deborra-Lee Furness] helped him a lot behind the scenes, but to have someone that shares his passion the way Sutton does, as a performer, is pretty exhilarating,” sources reveal. “They can play together, they loved working together on The Music Man and want to team up for another show at some point.”
Hugh, 56, and Sutton, 50, notably captivated New York City audiences while portraying Harold Hill and Marian in the revival of the classic show in 2022.
Of course, “Sutton has her own very successful Broadway career under belt, so it’s not as though she needs Hugh’s guidance, but they are having fun helping each other run lines and having that sounding board for character development,” the tipsters clarify.
“Hugh is also in the position financially to invest in any show that they want to launch, it could be a vehicle for Sutton, or something for them together, that remains to be seen, but he has said that’s in the pipeline,” the sources exclusively tell Closer. “Why not make money on both sides of the production and have that sense of control as well, it just makes sense.”
Prior to their relationship, Hugh and Sutton were in their own respective romances when they first met.
The Deadpool and Wolverine actor was married to Deborra-Lee, 69, whom he separated from in September 2023 after nearly three decades of marriage.
Sutton was married to Ted Griffin, whom she filed for divorce from in October 2024.
Hugh and Sutton confirmed their romance by stepping out for a date night and holding hands in January 2025.
As Closer previously reported, Sutton, a two-time Tony Award winner, was recruited to play Loretta Lynn in the Broadway musical Coal Miner’s Daughter, which will explore the country icon’s music and life prior to her death at 90 in 2022.
“Coal Miner’s Daughter chronicles 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.”
Loretta’s family expressed their excitement over her casting in a statement as fans continue to wait for the official opening date to be announced.
“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. “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.”
“Mom absolutely fell in love with her and thought she was just the right person to play her on stage. The family is moved by this incredible team’s commitment to her legacy.”
