Tony winner Sutton Foster sings the best of Broadway at Ravinia gala concert

Ever since she rose from the chorus to snare her break-out role as Millie Dillmount in a revival of the musical "Thoroughly Modern Millie," Sutton Foster has been a star.

Foster won her first Tony Award in 2003 for that performance and a second for a revival of Cole Porter’s “Anything Goes” in 2011, both for best actress in a musical. Along the way, she has received five additional Tony nominations.

Making her CSO and Ravinia debuts, Foster will join fellow Broadway leading lady Kelli O’Hara for a spectacular evening of song at this year’s Ravinia Festival gala concert on July 13, along with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra under Marin Alsop, Ravinia’s chief conductor. On the program will be works by George Gershwin, Adam Guettel, Frank Loesser, Cole Porter, Stephen Sondheim and Jeanine Tesori.

Foster was most recently seen on Broadway as Princess Winnifred in the acclaimed revival of “Once Upon a Mattress,” which followed her performance as Mrs. Lovett in the Tony-winning revival of “Sweeney Todd.”

Earlier this year, before a solo concert in Greenville, South Carolina, Foster sat for an interview with the Greenville Journal. Here is an excerpt:

What can audiences expect at your concert performances.

Throughout the year all over the country, I’m doing a series of concerts. I love doing concerts because I get to choose any songs I want to sing. Songs from my repertoire and past shows as well as from favorite songwriters and genres are all game. It’s a way for me to share with audiences a little bit more about me as a person and a performer.

Of all the roles you’ve performed, do you have a favorite?

It’s always hard to choose. Most recently, I loved playing [Princess] Winnifred [Woebegone] in “Once Upon a Mattress.” She was the wackiest, freest character I’ve ever played.

Is there a role you haven’t played but hope to perform in the future?

I would love to do something original!

What’s next for you, career-wise?

I definitely have some irons in the fire. This year, I’m focusing on concert work.

You’re known as an animal welfare advocate. Do you have pets?

I have two awesome dogs, Mabel and Brody. They’re both rescues and mutts. I love having dogs, their unconditional love and snuggles. They don’t care whether you’ve landed the big role or hit the high notes. They just want to be loved and petted and to love in return. It’s simple and I love it.