Over the years since the conclusion of the series Younger in 2019, the bond between Sutton Foster and Michael Urie has only grown stronger. Having starred together in the TV Land show for multiple seasons, the duo has reunited in the current Broadway revival of Once Upon a Mattress, which has received critical acclaim.
“I really feel like I’ve made friends with you,” says Foster, 49, during a joint interview with PEOPLE from backstage at the Hudson Theatre. “We confide in each other about life stuff. And being able to be partners on stage is beyond. He’s like the ultimate partner, ultimate dance partner.”
Reflecting on their past roles, Foster playfully teases Urie about his “bratty” character in Younger, highlighting the fun contrast in their current roles
Urie, 44, praises Foster’s adaptability, stating, “She will go with anything. I could do anything out there; she’ll go with it and make it better.” The story of Once Upon a Mattress, based on Hans Christian Andersen’s The Princess and the Pea, features Foster as Winnifred the Woebegone, who is vying for the affection of Prince Dauntless, played by Urie.
Dauntless’ mother, Queen Aggravain (Ana Gasteyer), insists he must marry a “true” princess before anyone else in the kingdom can wed. Debuting on Broadway on August 12, the revival will soon head to Los Angeles for a four-week engagement at Center Theatre Group’s Ahmanson Theatre, running from December 10 to January 5, 2025.
Earlier this year, both Foster and Urie participated in the sold-out run of Once Upon a Mattress during the Encores! series at New York City Center. The chemistry between their onstage characters offers a refreshing contrast to their previous collaboration on television.
“Falling in love is way more fun to play. Flirting is so fun, and I love her so much,” Urie shares with PEOPLE. He continues, “She’s the most generous person I’ve ever worked with, both on and off stage.
She brings bagels every Saturday for everybody, leads the warm-up before the matinees, and takes her role as the star so seriously and with such grace that everyone is happy here. It’s a very happy building. And just like Younger — Younger was a very happy set.”
Reflecting on his role in Younger, Urie admits, “On Younger, I was really mean.” “Indeed, he was. He was such a little brat,” Foster laughs in response. Taking on the role of Winnifred, Foster follows in the footsteps of the iconic Carol Burnett, who originated the character in 1959. Sutton describes her experience meeting Burnett as a surreal moment.
“Meeting Carol was… It was a pinch-me moment. I think I was out of my body. I was trying very hard to be present,” she recalls. “I have photo evidence, and it was filmed. So I do know that it happened, but it was pretty wild. And she texts me sometimes.”
The cast also features Brooks Ashmanskas as the Wizard, Daniel Breaker as the Jester, and Will Chase as Sir Harry. Earlier this year, Foster concluded her performance as Mrs. Lovett in the Tony Award-winning revival of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street alongside Aaron Tveit.
Before that, she co-starred in the 2022 revival of The Music Man with Hugh Jackman. Urie boasts a rich theatrical background, with previous roles in Chicken and Biscuits (2021), Torch Song (2018), Buyer & Cellar (2013), and How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (2012). His television work includes appearances in Ugly Betty, Single All the Way, and AppleTV+’s Shrinking.
