Foley studied acting at HB Studio in New York City. She has appeared on Broadway in such shows as Me and My Girl and the revival of Hair, and off-Broadway in Beehive. Foley originated the role of The Witch in Stephen Sondheim's Into the Woods at the Old Globe Theater in San Diego, but was replaced by Bernadette Peters before the musical opened on Broadway."'Into the Woods', 1986 Old Globe Production and 1987 Broadway Production", SondheimgGide.com, accessed August 2, 2012. Foley eventually played the role on Broadway from August 1, 1989 until the show's closing on September 3, 1989.
