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American Stage Theatre Company has
extended by one week the run of the hit off-Broadway musical
comedy, "Souvenir: A Fantasia on the Life of Florence Foster
Jenkins" through Sunday, Aug. 17.
For more than half a century before
“American Idol,” the name Florence Foster Jenkins was
guaranteed to produce 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 of producing two consecutive notes in tune.
Nevertheless, her annual recitals in the ballroom of the Ritz
Carlton hotel, where she resided, brought her extraordinary fame.
As news of her terrible singing spread, so did her celebrity.
'Souvenir,' by turn hilarious and
poignant, tells her story through the eyes of her accompanist,
Cosme McMoon. A talented musician, he regards her at first as
little more than an easy way to pay the rent, but, as he gets to
know her, his initial contempt gives way to reluctant admiration,
then friendship and affection. Faced with her boundless certainty,
Cosme comes to revise his attitudes, not only towards her singing
but to the very meaning of music itself. A true musical odd-couple
for the ages.
Performances are: 7:30 p.m. Tues., Wed.
and Thurs.; 8 p.m. Fri. and Sat.; 3 p.m. Sat. and Sun.
Tickets prices are $22-$35 depending on
date and time of performance. Students Rush tickets are $10, 30
minutes prior to curtain.
Call the American Stage box office at
727-823-PLAY (7529) or go to www.americanstage.org for more
information and to purchase tickets.
American Stage Theatre Company is located
at 211 3rd St. S., downtown St. Petersburg.
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