Actress Sutton Foster visits Music Man Square receives ‘Key to the City’

(ABC 6 News) – Mason City Mayor Bill Schickel presented the official ‘Key to the City’ to Broadway star and Tony Award-winning actress, Sutton Foster. 

Foster starred as Marian the Librarian alongside Hugh Jackman in the hit Broadway production of the “The Music Man.”

“The pride that we feel in you Sutton cannot be overstated. Your visit to the real River City USA serves as a testament to the magic and transformative powers of the arts, which we love here in River City. Its creation of a culturally rich and vibrant community,” said Mayor Bill Schickel.

Foster received the key in front of the legendary Music Man Square adjacent to the authentically restored Meredith Willson Boyhood Home, 308 S. Pennsylvania Ave, Mason City.

Foster also walked across the historic Music Man Footbridge, named in honor of Willson and past the historic Mason City Public Library.  The library served as an inspiration to Mason City native and internationally renowned composer Meredith Willson when he wrote the hit musical in 1948.

“It’s really an honor to be here I’m actually very overwhelmed just walking through Music Man Square, it was a pretty special year of my life being a part of the Music Man on Broadway and it really means a lot to be here, so thank you,” Foster said.

All of this took place ahead of Foster’s performance as part of the North Iowa Area Community College Performing Arts series.