(BASKING RIDGE, NJ) -- American Theater Group is thrilled to have Tony Award-nominated actor Hunter Foster directing their upcoming production of the critically-acclaimed musical Parade, written by Alfred Uhry (Driving Miss Daisy) with a score by Jason Robert Brown (The Bridges of Madison County).  Parade runs March 2-5 at the Sieminski Theater in Basking Ridge and March 9-11 at the JCC MetroWest in West Orange.

Hunter’s interest in theater began on a whim. After taking a few acting classes, he auditioned for his high school musical and was cast as the lead – Conrad Birdie in Bye Bye Birdie. He initially dreamed of becoming a writer, thinking his theater phase was temporary.  But the more theater he did, the more he enjoyed it and he promptly moved to NY upon graduation from the Univ. of Michigan. He found success quickly, booking a national tour of Cats within months, followed soon after by his Broadway debut in a revival of Grease. Roles in major shows including Les Miserables, Urinetown, the Producers, Little Shop of Horrors and The Bridges of Madison County garnered him award nominations and established him as a sought-after actor. And while he still acts, most recently last year as Clark Griswold in the new musical The Griswold’s Broadway Vacation, he has focused his career over the past decade directing at regional theaters across the country.

The following are highlights from a recent conversation.

How did you evolve from acting into directing?

Hunter: I had written a new musical based on the movie The Summer of 42 and the director had to pull out and he suggested I step in, since I obviously knew the material so well. It was a great experience and I realized I loved this new creative process.

What appealed to you about directing Parade?

I met (ATG Producing Artistic Director) Jim Vagias when I directed The Bridges of Madison County last year and we discussed the possibility of working together and discovered that Parade was a show that interested us both. I had been in the original New York workshop with Matthew Broderick as Leo but had to turn down the Broadway run because I was getting married (to fellow Broadway actor Jennifer Cody). Director Hal Prince understood, telling me marriage was more important than Broadway, but I’ve always hoped I would be involved in a production of it someday. I’m from Georgia, and I feel I understand that world, haunted by racism and injustice. Jim and I agreed that the rise in antisemitism made Parade a story that needs to be revisited now more than ever. This a fascinating look at our history, the post-Civil War south, how post reconstructionism affected the resentment of the North. How our judicial system has failed so many.

In a few sentences, why should people see Parade?

This is a riveting story that needs to be told, especially now. It speaks to what is happening in our world today. And Jason Robert Brown’s gorgeous score proves how he is one of our leading composers; his music is just so captivating.

What is your vision for ATG’s production?

It’s similar to an Our Town interpretation, requiring audiences to use their imaginations in terms of sets and props. We’re relying on our wonderful cast and bare bones storytelling to powerfully examine societal attitudes, and what we can do to enact change. It’s important to remember that Atlanta was a much smaller city when Parade takes place, so there is an element of a small-town mentality about it. We want this production to explore how we move forward so it doesn’t happen again.

One final two-part question – what show do you hope to direct someday, and what is your dream role?

The family dynamics of August: Osage County fascinate me, so I would love to tackle that. And I think playing Sweeney Todd – with Jenn as Mrs. Lovett – would be fantastic.

Stay tuned…and get your tickets now for what promises to be a "don't miss" production.

Parade runs March 2-5 at the Sieminski Theater in Basking Ridge and March 9-11 at the JCC MetroWest in West Orange. Additional information and tickets are available for purchase online.

American Theater Group (ATG), founded in 2012, produces new and classic works primarily by American playwrights with an emphasis on the development of new works and the rediscovery of undeservedly neglected older ones. It also provides quality arts-in-education initiatives, including its annual DramaFest for students and its PlayLab program for BIPOC and queer playwrights. ATG programming is made possible in part by an American Rescue Plan Act grant from the National Endowment for the Arts to support general operating expenses in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Made possible by the Somerset County Cultural & Heritage Commission, a partner of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts.