Despite some initial hesitation, Sue
agreed and became one of the two lead
producers for a musical taking the title
of McClanahan’s book, My First Five
Husbands and the Ones Who Got Away.
Shuttling back and forth between New
Orleans and New York, Sue and her coproducer
had the show cast, rehearsed
and ready to take on the road for pre-
Broadway staging. However, around the
same time, McClanahan underwent
heart bypass surgery during which she
suffered a stroke. The show had to be
shelved and was never staged.
Moving to New York, where she
resided for the next eight years, Sue was
frequently by McClanahan’s bedside.
Finally McClanahan told her, “You need
to move on. I don’t know if I’m going to
get well. I’ve taught you so much and
I don’t want you to lose it. This is the
industry you belong in. I want you to
make it to the top.”
While still bedridden,
McClanahan read over
some musical scripts
that various writers
had sent to Sue and
she picked out one
that she felt had the
strongest probability of
success. It was Empire.
“And that’s the one I’m
lining up for Broadway
right now,” she said,
emphasizing that it
would be dedicated
to McClanahan who
passed away shortly
afterward.
“It’s actually a
very exciting story,”
Sue added. “It’s kind
of like the movie,
Sue Vaccaro,
Rue McClanahan
Bryan Batt,
Sue Vaccaro
Sue Vaccaro,
Rue McClanahan
Titanic: a historic
event with historical
figures surrounding a
compelling and engaging
fictitious tale of success
That’s why it’s called
‘entertainment.’”
The plot of Empire
centers around a strong,
determined woman
named Frankie Peterson,
who is a composite
character based on
Bella Moskowitz and
Frances Perkins, two top
advisors to former New
York governor and 1928
presidential candidate
Al Smith. Frankie must
overcome the opposition
to the building while she
Rue McClanahan,
Sue Vaccaro
Sue Vaccaro,
James Corden
Wendell Pierce,
Sue Vaccaro
inspires and motivates the team to hit
100 stories by the May 1, 1931 deadline.
Sue’s principal job, beyond assembling
the team, overseeing the writing and
managing every aspect of the production
with her business partner, is to secure
financial backers to help mount the
production. “When the financing is in
place and Empire opens on Broadway,
it will become a hit around the world,”
she confidently predicted. “We’re raising
the final ten percent needed to make it to
opening night.”
And, she even more confidently added,
“When it wins Best Musical at the Tony
Awards, I will be standing up there (at
the microphone), along with the team
to thank those who believed in me. I’m
hoping to be an inspiration for others to
follow their dreams.”
With such a positive outlook and
endless resilience, Sue Vaccaro may very
well see her prediction come true. ��
PHOTOS COURTESY OF SUE VACCARO
N O V E M B E R / D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 8 breakthrumediamagazine.com | BREAKTHRU MEDIA | 13
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