MASON CITY — Mayor Bill Schickel presented the official ‘Key to the City’ to Tony Award Winning actress Sutton Foster on Thursday morning.
Foster starred as Marian the Librarian alongside Hugh Jackman in the hit Broadway production of the “The Music Man.”
The presentation took place 10:15 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 14, in front of the legendary Music Man Square adjacent to the authentically restored Meredith Willson Boyhood Home, 308 S. Pennsylvania Ave, Mason City.
Prior to the presentation, Foster 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.
“The ‘Key to the City’ is the City’s highest form of recognition,” Schickel said. “It is such an honor to be able to show Sutton the real River City USA after her dazzling performance as Marian the Librarian on Broadway. She has carried our beloved Meredith Willson’s creation to new heights.”
Foster interacted with local students on Thursday and performed at the NIACC Auditorium later Thursday night.