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Once upon a time there was a young girl from Boston named Sue Sample. Born prematurely she was totally deaf, it's ironic that Sue became a singer. Miraculously she began hearing normally by the age of 3.
She dreamed of performing in musical theatre, portraying famous characters from classic Broadway shows.
Sue spent countless hours studying cast recordings. "From her own little corner", she pretended to be her favorite characters. She became Marion the Librarian from The Music Man, and the tragic heroine Nancy from Oliver.
Sue even sang both Julie's and Carrie's songs from Carousel. The talent was there, everyone loved her voice. Strong and vibrant, the vocal power she displayed was in direct contrast to her diminutive frame. Sue was singing in concerts, hotels, and on local television. One highlight of her career was singing the National Anthem for the Boston Red Sox, at two opening day games. However, she loved the theatre and her heart ached to perform in musicals.
After college, Sue was selected to study at Carnegie Hall in New York City. With encouragement from her voice teachers, she
decided to audition for local productions near Boston. Could she compete? First, Sue had an obstacle to face. Before anyone would cast her in a particular role, she must prove that she was the right choice. Sue was partially sighted, she worked diligently to make
everyone acknowledge it, and accept it!
Winning her first lead was a major triumph, as Marion in The Music Man. Perhaps all the rehearsing she once did was beginning to pay off. With each subsequent success, people began to believe that Sue's talent far surpassed her disability. Directors cast her in leading roles in Carousel, Show Boat, and Oliver, and major roles in Fiddler On The Roof, Once Upon A Mattress, Sweeney Todd and A Little Night Music. Sue cherished every minute of it. Today, Sue lives in Iowa, which coincidentally, is the home of The Music Man. Singing is still her passion and she regularly sings the National Anthem at major sporting events.
Now Sue had climbed her mountain with perseverance and courage. She showed everyone that, despite her limited vision, her dreams of a career in musicals had come true. In this collection, Sue sings many of her favorite show tunes. It isn't Broadway but she does it her way!
Special Thanks to: My Wonderful Pianist Michael Phelan! Jan Jasiewicz; Gary Holub & Malone Music; Frank Caci; Sari Hacker;
Connie Chapman; and The Broom and Basket Shop, West Amana, IA; who helped to make this CD possible.
I am so grateful to everyone who believed in me and my impossible dream, you made my stage experiences so special.
I love you all!
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