Sutton Foster's Enchanting Jazz Night with Special Guest Hugh Jackman

An Evening of Musical Brilliance and Unexpected Delights

The Soraya's Season Kick-off: A Resounding Success with Sutton Foster

On a recent Saturday evening, the renowned artist Sutton Foster graced the stage at The Soraya in Northridge, California, launching the venue's 2026-27 season. Her nearly two-hour performance was a captivating blend of show tunes and timeless classics, brought to life by the exquisite accompaniment of the Pacific Jazz Orchestra. The night held an extra layer of excitement with an unscheduled appearance by her romantic partner, Hugh Jackman, much to the audience's delight.

The Power of Live Performance: Foster's Opening Remarks

Foster initiated the evening by acknowledging her esteemed collaborators, including her music director, Michael Rafter, who skillfully played the piano, and the conductor of the Pacific Jazz Orchestra, Chris Walden. She emphasized the profound significance of live artistic gatherings, stating, "We are all living beings, this is a live orchestra, and you are a live audience. We are incredibly fortunate to convene and celebrate live music." Her words were met with enthusiastic applause, setting a warm and engaging tone for the concert.

A Tribute to Cole Porter and Personal Reflections

The Tony Award-winning performer mesmerized the crowd with several compositions by Cole Porter, including "I Get a Kick Out of You" and "Blow, Gabriel, Blow" from the musical Anything Goes. She also presented "Don't Look at Me That Way," a piece she noted was fast becoming one of her favorites. Foster further enchanted the audience with Porter's "Miss Otis Regrets," reminiscing about performing a dance number to it in her youth. She shared how Marc Shaiman's arrangement, inspired by Bette Midler's rendition, received Midler's personal approval, a fact that clearly delighted Foster.

Embracing the Moment and Humorous Anecdotes

Foster wove personal stories into her performance, speaking fondly of her 9-year-old daughter, Emily, whom she affectionately called "her favorite person." This led into a heartfelt call for the audience to embrace the present moment before she sang "Life Is Just a Bowl of Cherries." She also recounted amusing observations from her father, a devoted fan of the Weather Channel and the Atlanta Braves, who playfully remarked on her professional hair and makeup, showcasing a lighter, relatable side of the artist.

A Human Moment: Foster's Unplanned Pause

Despite her extraordinary vocal prowess, Foster demonstrated a charmingly human moment just before the intermission. While performing "Anything Goes," a song she typically uses to conclude the first act, she unexpectedly paused. Explaining she felt "something in my throat," she asked Walden and the musicians to temporarily stop. "I could feel it developing, that sensation of a tickle at the back of your throat," she shared, clarifying the moment was unplanned. She added, "It feels incredibly challenging to sing this song regardless, but not under these circumstances. ... I've never had to do that, but I'm truly glad I stopped. This is a learning experience. It's perfectly fine to pause. I see young performers in the audience. You know what? It's simply a performance."

Second Half Highlights and a Grand Surprise

The latter half of the concert featured an eclectic mix of songs, including a creative mash-up of "If I Were a Bell" from Guys and Dolls and "Singin' in the Rain," along with Duke Ellington's "I Like the Sunrise." However, the evening's most anticipated moment arrived during "A Doodlin' Song," when Hugh Jackman unexpectedly emerged on stage. After Foster sang the line, "Why don't you join the group? It's better than being a party-poop," Jackman joined in, receiving thunderous applause. The couple, who have been together for nearly two years, engaged in playful banter. "What are you doing?" she asked. "You said you wanted me to join the group," he responded. "No, you're supposed to remain backstage? ... Why do you possess a microphone?" she inquired. He humorously retorted, "It's 2026; everyone possesses a microphone."

A Memorable Duet and Tender Farewell

Following their playful exchange, Foster initiated, "So now that you're on stage..." to which Jackman quipped, "Yes, do you desire five or six numbers from me?" Jackman then continued, "Well, I am uncertain if many are aware, but we performed this, and we shall perform a song that we have sung together on multiple occasions." Indeed, Jackman remained to perform another song with Foster, a complete surprise to the audience as it was not listed in the program. They performed "A Million Dreams" from Jackman's 2017 film The Greatest Showman, a song they had workshopped twelve years prior. Foster explained, "It took eight years for The Greatest Showman to materialize, and I participated in two of the workshops. It was many years ago, therefore, this is a song we sang together, and we would be delighted to perform it for you tonight." In a touching moment, Jackman bestowed a kiss upon Foster before exiting the stage. "I am uncertain how we recover from that, so we shall simply conclude the performance now," Foster lightheartedly remarked about Jackman's appearance. She expressed her gratitude to Jackman for joining her on stage and for bringing her daughter Taco Bell earlier that day.

A Standing Ovation and Encore

Foster concluded her set with "Meantime," earning a well-deserved standing ovation. She graciously returned for an encore, treating the audience to "Till There Was You" from The Music Man. This musical, which starred both Foster and Jackman in its 2022 Broadway revival, had the crowd enthusiastically singing along, bringing a perfect close to an unforgettable evening.