‘Sarah’s Song’ to Play at Bliss Hall

Youngstown State University’s Dana School of Music announces the premiere of “Sarah’s Song” at 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 22 in Bliss Hall. This original musical narrative was written by Suzanne Rouse Rudnytsky, a part time faculty member at YSU.

The musical narrative — written as Rudnytsky’s autobiography, compiled from the last 60 years of her life — will be separated into two acts with two performers. Rudnytsky will sing her authentic 15 songs and Leslie Chain, actress and close friend of Rudnytsky, will read the monologues.

Chain earned her bachelor’s degree in music and foreign language from YSU and her master’s degree in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages from New York University. She started her theater career at Youngstown Playhouse and the Kenley Players. She has been featured in shows and indie films, as well as worked on the original production of “La Cage aux Folles.”

Rudnytsky received her bachelor’s degree in music from the Boston Conservatory of Music and her masters in music at YSU. She has been married to pianist Roman Rudnytsky, a recently retired faculty member from the Dana School of Music, for 41 years.

The inspiration for “Sarah’s Song” came from her dramatic life of alcoholism, gambling that led to bankruptcy and dealing with affairs her husband had. She believes that anyone can relate to her stories because they’re universal and, in one form or another, people have experienced the impact of a relationship, addiction or heartache.

“The decisions I’ve made in my life have brought me here and if I would’ve made a different decision, I would’ve had a different outcome,” Rudnytsky said.

Rudnytsky and Chain had an informal reading at Rudnytsky’s house before the main show, and the reactions were what the duo said they hoped for. Husband and supporter Roman Rudnytsky believes the narrative can go places.

“The people who came to the informal reading were touched and moved,” Roman Rudnytsky said. “We record the performance on Monday and plan to take it to other theaters.”

“Sarah’s Song” is open to the public and is free of charge. Parking is available at the Wick Avenue deck. More information is available by calling the Dana School of Music at 330-941-3636.