Loved Susan Johnson. We were lucky enough in LA to see her perform at the APLA STAGE events in her later years and in FOLLIES at Long Beach Civic Light Opera. Video clips of the latter are on a YouTube.
In the early 1960's, she made a novelty album with Larry Douglas called LI'L ABNER FO' CHILLUN (nothing to do with the show). Look for it- it's delightful.
I saw her on stage when she sang "Who's That Woman" in the APLA Sondheim tribute. So many incredible performers were there that day. Even in her later years, she was still a treasure. But in her prime, that huge voice was golden. She could easily fill a theatre with it.
"Jaws is the Citizen Kane of movies."
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LOVE her voice. In addition to the clips mentioned, there's also a wonderful TV performance of hers of Almost Like Being in Love on Youtube.
I remember reading on here last year how a regional "tent" theatre owner had recorded many of his shows, including at least one with Johnson (I think it was either Annie Get Your Gun or Gypsy). The shows were to become available for listening in house to library visitors in that area... I'd love to hear any reports if anyone's heard one of those recordings (with Johnson or not).
Add me to the list of Susan Johnson fans. THE MOST HAPPY FELLA remains one of my all-time favorite shows, and every time I see it live, as soon as Cleo opens her mouth to sing 'Ooh my feet' I expect to hear Susan Johnson's voice, and I'm invariably disappointed when I don't.
Somewhere I had a compilation CD where she sand 'Sweet Thursday' from PIPE DREAM, but after a couple of moves and an apartment remodel, I can't find it. If anybody knows which disk is was on, I'd be eternally grateful.
'Our whole family shouts. It comes from us livin' so close to the railroad tracks'
If she's wearing a floral kimono in the video, that was when I did her costume for the StAGE benefit.
I loved her and love seeing her face when I re watch Sister Act.
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I also had the pleasure of seeing Ms. Johnson in FOLLIES at Long Beach. She also appeared in one of David Galligan's annual S.T.A.G.E. benefits around the same time. Though she was suffering from emphysema, she was still able to display an incredible set of pipes. Only wish I had seen more of her. Her song "Men" from WHOOP-UP has always been a particular favorite of mine. I only hope she realized how much she was appreciated.
What a delight to find this thread. I grew up listening to her in the OBC cast of "The Most Happy Fella" but it was in the studio cast recording of "Brigadoon" with Jack Cassidy and Shirley Jones" that I really fell in love with her voice. She knocked Meg Brockies two numbers out of the park.
Hushpuppy: The CD with Susan Johnson's "Sweet Thursday" is You Can't Put Ketchup on the Moon: Broadway Flops and Roadkills 1925-1955. She also sings "Charm," from Maggie. The CD label is Rialto Recordings and it's unit no. SLRR 9201.
Dragging this thread out of mothballs to post a link to THE MOST HAPPY FELLA cast performing 'Happy to Make Your Acquaintance' and 'Big D' from the Ed Sullivan Show, 1956