Paul Wontorek first reported on Foster's involvement in the project on November 26. Foster has been a hot property ever since she hit Broadway as the title character in Thoroughly Modern Millie, a role she originated in the 2000 La Jolla Playhouse premiere of the musical after originally being hired as an understudy. For her performance in the tuner, she was the recipient of the Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle and Astaire Awards. The actress is scheduled to leave Millie on Sunday, February 15.
Prior to Millie, Foster appeared on Broadway in Les Misérables, Annie, The Scarlet Pimpernel and Grease!. Her notable regional credits include Dorian at Goodspeed Musicals and the world premiere of the Burt Bacharach/Hal David revue What the World Needs Now at the Old Globe.
This Little Women has been in development for a while. The musical was originally supposed to open on Broadway two seasons ago, but it was postponed as changes in the creative team were made. Jason Howland replaced Kim Oler as composer and Mindy Dickstein took over for lyricist Allison Hubbard. Librettist Allan Knee is the only original creative team member still in place.
Little Women was supposed to hit Broadway this spring following tryouts at Duke and New Haven's Shubert Theater, but the dates were pushed back—ostensibly to accommodate Foster's schedule. In addition to Foster, the cast of Little Women is expected to include Danny Gurwin, John Hickok, Amy McAlexander, Megan McGinnis, Maureen McGovern and Amy Rutberg.
