Arts at The Park to Present SOUVENIR, 5/12

Arts at The Park, a component of the Park Avenue Christian Church (known as "The Park"), will present Souvenir: A Fantasia on the Life of Florence Foster Jenkins by Stephen Temperley onSaturday, May 12h at 2 pm and 8 pm at the Park Avenue Christian Church, 1010 Park Avenue at 85th Street. 

Directed by Steven Minning, Souvenirfeatures Georga Osborne* and Jonas Cohen* (*appearing courtesy of Actors' Equity Association).

For more than half a century, the name Florence Foster Jenkins produced explosions of derisive laughter. Not unreasonably so, as this wealthy society eccentric suffered under the delusion that she was a great coloratura soprano when she was, in fact, incapable ofproducing two consecutive notes in tune.

As news of her terrible singing spread, so did her celebrity. Her growing mob of fans packed her recitals, stuffing handkerchiefs in their mouths to stifle their laughter – which Mrs. Jenkins blissfully mistook for cheers.

The climax of her career was a single concert at Carnegie Hall in 1944 that sold out in two hours.

SOUVENIR, by turns hilarious and poignant, tells her story through the eyes of Jenkins's accompanist, Cosme McMoon. A talented musician, he first regards her with contempt, then reluctant admiration, then friendship and affection – the two being a musical odd couple for the ages.

Tickets: $18 at SmartTix.com or at the door. 

Photo credit: James Schriebl, courtesy of the Weston Playhouse Theatre Company.