Northlight Theatre Presents SOUVENIR 11/12-12/20

Northlight Theatre, under the direction of Artistic Director BJ Jones and Executive Director Timothy J. Evans, continues its 35th Season with Souvenir, Stephen Temperley's true musical story of "The Tone-deaf Diva" Florence Foster Jenkins. The production, directed by Steve Scott, runs November 12- December 20, 2009 at Northlight Theatre, 9501 Skokie Blvd in Skokie.

Souvenir tells the comedic and musical true story of Florence Foster Jenkins: a New York socialite whose tin ear couldn't keep her off the stage at Carnegie Hall. Seen through the eyes of her beloved accompanist, Souvenir is a touching and comic tribute to Ms. Jenkins' sincerity, ambition, deep love of music and complete lack of talent, all of which brought a unique joy to thousands.

"How is Florence Foster Jenkins any different than American Idol contestant Sanjaya, who neared the finish line for singing off key? Is he next in the Florence Foster Jenkins legacy?," says BJ Jones. "Souvenir is the celebration of Florence Foster Jenkins' unbridled respect for the art and craft, regardless of her capability. It is endearing and a little sad, but when looking at the larger canvas, I cannot help but admire the wild imagination and the simplicity of her soul. Though it looks like hubris, there is purity there that masks the trembling insecurity of all artists yearning for acceptance and appreciation."
The cast includes Neva Rae Powers as Florence Foster Jenkins and Mark Anders as her accompanist Cosme McMoon.

The designers are Tom Burch (Set Design), Theresa Ham (Costume Design), Lee Fiskness (Lighting Design) and Victoria DeIorio (Sound Design). The stage manager is Laura D. Glenn and the dramaturg is Meghan McCarthy.

This production is sponsored in part by ComEd, an Exelon Company.

Florence Foster Jenkins has been called "The First Lady of the Sliding Scale," "The Terror of the High C's" and "The Tone-deaf Diva," but at heart, Florence Foster Jenkins was undeniably a musician. She possessed a deep passion for music, but didn't have a shred of musical ability. Despite pitch that wavered more than a flag in the breeze, and diction that turned English into a foreign language and rendered foreign languages untranslatable, she earned a group of devoted followers who came to adore her impassioned performances and "unique" style.
In 1944, at the age of 76, Florence Foster Jenkins performed at Carnegie Hall-a performance that sold out weeks in advance. While the reviews were unsurprisingly severe, many critics were moved by the sense of wonder shared by her loyal fans. As one remarked, "She was exceedingly happy in her work. It is a pity so few artists are. And her happiness was communicated as if by magic to her listeners." At the archives at Carnegie Hall, hers are the third most requested recordings.

Steve Scott (Director), making his Northlight debut, is the associate producer of the Goodman Theatre, where he has overseen more than 150 productions since 1987; he was also recently made a member of the Goodman's Artistic Collective. His Goodman directing credits include Horton Foote's Blind Date; Rabbit Hole; Binky Rudich and the Two-Speed Clock and No One Will Be Immune for the David Mamet Festival; Dinner with Friends; Wit; the world premiere of Tom Mula's Jacob Marley's Christmas Carol; A Midsummer Night's Dream (co-directed with Michael Maggio); and four seasons of A Christmas Carol. He has also directed at Lifeline, Next, the St. Lawrence Shakespeare Festival in Ontario, Porchlight Theatre, Buffalo Theatre Ensemble, Shattered Globe, Apple Tree, and Theatre Building Chicago, among others. He is a faculty member at the Theatre Conservatory at Roosevelt University's College of Performing Arts. He is an artistic associate of About Face Theatre, Eclipse Theatre Company and Collaboraction, and is one of six resident directors for WBEZ's Stories on Stage.

Neva Rae Powers (Florence Foster Jenkins), making her Northlight debut, has been seen on Broadway in King of Hearts, Barnum, Peter Pan, and Can-Can, as well as in the national tour of Little Women. Her regional credits include the role of Edie Beale/Big Edie in Grey Gardens (Ensemble Theatre of Cincinnati), Mrs. Fezziwig in A Christmas Carol (Syracuse Stage), and Anna in Mandragola (York Theatre, NYC), among many others. She has previously appeared as the infamous Florence Foster Jenkins in productions of Souvenir at American Stage Theatre (Florida), St. Louis Repertory Theatre, Ensemble Theatre of Cincinnati and Vienna's English Theatre (Austria).

Mark Anders (Cosme McMoon) previously appeared at Northlight in the Jeff Award-winning A Marvelous Party: The Noel Coward Celebration. He has been seen all around the US in 2 Pianos, 4 Hands. In his native Seattle, Mark is known for his work at ACT Theatre (The Woman in Black, Dirty Blonde, Old Wicked Songs), Intiman Theatre (The Mystery of Irma Vep, Gross Indecency: The Three Trials of Oscar Wilde, The Little Foxes, A Midsummer Night's Dream), the Empty Space (Jeffrey Hatcher's Hanging Lord Haw-Haw), the Seattle Children's Theatre (Hardy Boys, adapted by Jon Klein), and the Seattle Rep (Noises Off).

Tickets for Souvenir, $35-50, are available by phone, 847.673.6300, or online at northlight.org. Young Adult tickets (25 and Under) are $10 (one per person with valid ID).

The Box Office is located at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Boulevard, in Skokie. Box Office hours are Monday-Friday 10:00am-6:00pm, and Saturdays 12:00pm-5:00pm. On performance days, the box office hours are extended through showtime. The Box Office is closed on Sundays, except on performance days when it is open two hours prior to showtime.

Curtain times are: Tuesdays at 7:30pm (except November 17 and December 15); Wednesdays at 1:00pm and 7:30pm; Thursdays at 7:30pm (except November 26); Fridays at 8:00pm; Saturdays at 2:30pm (except November 14) and 8:00pm; Sundays at 2:30pm (except November 22) and 7:00pm (except November 22, December 6 and 13).

Northlight is supported in part by generous contributions from The Allyn Foundation; the Elizabeth F. Cheney Foundation; ComEd, An Exelon Company; Ernst & Young; First Bank & Trust of Evanston; Illinois Arts Council, a state agency; Kirkland & Ellis Foundation; The Lehman Family American Experience Series; The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation; McKinsey & Company; National Endowment for the Arts; The Pauls Foundation; Sanborn Family Foundation; Dr. Scholl Foundation; The Shubert Foundation; the Skokie Fine Arts Commission; the Sullivan Family Foundation; The Chicago Community Trust; and Tom Stringer Design Partners.

Northlight begins its 35th season in 2009-2010 as one of the largest non-profit theatres in Chicago. Dedicated to enhancing the cultural life of the North Shore and Chicago, Northlight presents theatrical works which reflect and challenge the values and beliefs of the community it serves while continuing to grow its reputation for launching world premieres, new musicals, classic plays and intelligent dramas.

In its 35-year history, the organization has mounted over 160 productions, including over 33 world premieres, and garnered 145 Joseph Jefferson Award nominations and 27 Awards. As one of the area's premier theatre companies, Northlight is a regional magnet for critical and professional acclaim, as well as talent of the highest quality. For more information on Souvenir and Northlight Theatre, visit northlight.org.