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Oldcastle Theatre Company: “Souvenir” June 17-26
June 17, 2022 @ 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm EDT
Souvenir— A Fantasia on the Life of Florence Foster Jenkins
by Stephen Temperley
Directed by Nathan Stith
Wealthy socialite and musical cult-figure Florence Foster Jenkins suffered under the delusion that she was a great coloratura soprano. Unfortunately, she couldn’t sing at all. Despite this, or maybe because of it, her annual concerts at the Ritz Carlton hotel brought her extraordinary fame where audience members stuffed their handkerchiefs in their mouths to stifle their laughter—which Ms. Jenkins blissfully mistook for cheers. Her celebrity brought her all the way to a solo performance at Carnegie Hall in 1944. Told through the eyes of her longtime accompanist Cosme McMoon, Souvenir is a touching and hilarious story of an eccentric woman who believes so strongly in her talent that she convinces us all of the beauty heard in her head all along.
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Performances:
7:30 pm June 17, 18, 22*, 23, 24, 25
2:00 pm June 18, 19, 23, 25, 26
*Wednesday, June 22, the 7:30 pm performance is Pay What You Will! Name your price for this performance.
Runs June 17–26
General Admission $25 • Premium $35
Cast
Kaia Monroe (Florence Foster Jenkins) is excited to be back on stage after the COVID hiatus! Regional credits include Elm Shakespeare, Ivoryton Playhouse, Yale Institute for Music Theatre, Music Theatre of CT, Weston Playhouse, Missouri Rep, the Fulton, Geva, Texas Shakespeare, and the Kennedy Center. MFA from University of Missouri-Kansas City, and post-graduate study at Dell’Arte School of Physical Theatre. For 14 years, Kaia was a professor of theatre at Southern Connecticut State University. She is now the CEO of Haven Steel Erectors and mommy to Jameson and Eli.
Tim Howard (Cosme McMoon) is delighted to return to Oldcastle Theatre for his 11th show as either an actor, director or music director. Highlights: Broadway National Tour: SHOW BOAT (Jake) directed by Harold Prince, PARADE (J.N. Starnes) directed by Harold Prince, conducted by Jason Robert Brown, LEACHMAN AND HOWARD: TOGETHER AT LAST! (Two-person show with Cloris Leachman), HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME (ABC Television-workshop), ABELARD AND HELOISE (Roundabout Theatre) and PUMP BOYS AND DINETTES (Oldcastle). His direction of BIG RIVER (Oldcastle) received Berkshire Theatre Award nominations. This year, Broadway World awarded his direction for THE RADIUM GIRLS. He also received National Outstanding Direction Awards for PARADE, THE DROWSY CHAPERONE, and EVITA by Kennedy Center (KCACTF). Tim is a professor and heads the BFA Musical Theatre Program at Western Connecticut State University. timhowardonline.com
Nathan Stith (Director) has worked with Oldcastle Theatre Company for over 20 years as an actor and director. Most recently he directed the 2021 productions of VISITING MR. GREEN and SHAKESPEARE’S WILL. Other Oldcastle directing credits include 39 STEPS and BRIGHTON BEACH MEMOIRS. He appeared in national tours of JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR and ROMEO AND JULIET as well at regional theatres including the Colorado Shakespeare Festival, Arvada Center for the Performing Arts, and Riverside Theatre, among others. Nathan holds a Ph.D. in theatre from the University of Colorado and is an Associate Professor and Director of the Theatre Program at Trinity University in San Antonio, TX, where he has recently directed productions of COMPANY and THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD.
Scenic Designer: Ken Mooney
Lighting Designer: Michael Giannitti
Sound Designer: Cory Wheat
Costume Designer: Ken Mooney
Production Stage Manager: Kristine Schlachter
Production Manager: Amanda Bierbauer
Technical Director: David V. Groupé
Costume/Props Artisan: Jennifer Marcoux
Assistant Stage Manager: Scarlett Patiño
Production Assistant: Alex Zieselman