Souvenir

Souvenir

A Fantasia on the Life of Florence Foster Jenkins



Souvenir is an award-winning two-hander play with music written by Stephen Temperley, first produced in 2004 and opened on Broadway in 2005. It is based on the true story of Florence Foster Jenkins, an affluent socialite and opera singer with a ‘famously uncertain sense of pitch’, and her accompanist, Cosmé McMoon. Jenkins is not aware of her lack of talent; however, she still sells out performance halls for the entertainment of audiences which brings her extraordinary fame. The story is told from the perspective of Cosmé as he details his relationship with Florence from their first meeting in 1932 and culminating in her final infamous performance at Carnegie Hall shortly before her death. Souvenir integrates both jazz and classical music of the time that the story is set, juxtaposing the characters of Cosmé and Florence, respectfully, and their different preferences in music. (The show’s comedy and dramatic tension focuses on Florence Foster Jenkins' lack of self-awareness as a singer, despite her audience’s laughter, while Cosmé struggles to tell her the truth.)

While a comedy, Souvenir has both sad and touching moments, and ultimately demonstrates the joy and beauty of music. Like Florence Foster Jenkins said, 'what’s matters most is the music you heard in your head.”

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