Souvenir Program

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Souvenir {from the French for “a remembrance” or “memory”}

Twenty years after their 12-year partnership, Cosme McMoon shares his memories as the faithful accompanist to Florence Foster Jenkins. It is a portrait of a wealthy society eccentric who believed she was a great soprano when, in fact, she had little sense of pitch, tone, or rhythm. Yet, as Cosme reflects, “Her folly was so stupendous you had to admire its scale.” She became a celebrity and rose to cultist fame.

Through recitals and concerts, laughter and tears, quarrels and reconciliations, Cosme’s admiration and affection for Mrs. Jenkins grew over their years together. He remained ever-loyal, supportive and protective of her even when people asked why does she do it? To Cosme, “She never had any doubts. She went right on singing.” To Mrs. Jenkins, “What matters most is the music you hear in your head.”

Was she supremely self-delusional or was she a genius? Maybe a little of both.

If she is to be remembered for anything, it would be her voracious tenacity and for the lesson not to leave our music locked up inside us.

Sonnie OsborneDirector

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Artists $5,000+• Grant & Jacqui Smith • Tillie Page Laird

Playwrights Circle $1,500+• The James J. McInerney & Gary R. Fafard Foundation

• Marian & Douglas WiseSponsors $500+

• Pathways for Older Adults Fund & Sponsorship Fund at Connecticut Community Foundation • Frank Arcaro

• Norman Adler & Michele Shackelford • John & Kathy Bolster Partners $250+

• Stephen Gorell • Laurie Hombecker • Donald Karcheski • Tim Maitland • Ann M. Mckinney • Rich & Suzi Pettibone • Russell Posthauer, Jr.

• Jonathan & KC Ross • Stephen Sondheim Advocates $100+

• Angela Barna • Lois Benfield • Donald Bickford • Warren & Bodil Braren • Hilma Carter • The Daley Family • Wright Danenbarger

• In Memory of Ray & Bea Flanders • Tom Fogarty • Martha Holcombe • Mrs. Ishier Jacobson • Patty & Harold Jacobson • Alfred & Skip Jennings

• Marilyn A Johnson • Marilyn Lieff • Penny Palmer • Kathryn & Larry Palmer-House • Joseph H. Privitera • Philip & Hannah Schorr

• Chrissy & Jim Scrimgeour • Sherry & Stephen Seward • John Sinclaire • Elizabeth & Roger Smith • David Sprintzen • Richard & Joanne Sterk

• Arthur Stueck • Henry & Susan Tritter Associates $50+

• Ellen Alpert • Chris & Susan Anderheggen • Ethel Anderson-Krenkel • Nancy Babington • Cecilia Buck-Taylor • Margie Bueide • John Caraszi

• Joseph & Diane Czarnik • William & Suzan Dahl • Marian Dar • Siubhan Fallon • Andrew C. Flatt • Dr. Marilyn & Robert Gansel

• Kirsten Gould • Holly Guerrera • Barb & Doug Henry • Nancy Hutchinson • Christy Johnson • Marion & Philip Kallinikos

• Joe Keneally • Carl Klorman • Loretta & Bob Kretchko • Theresa & David Mitchell • Carmel O’Neill • Jill & Michael Pace

• Kristin Mulhare • Natalie Slavin • Sonnie Osborne • Nadine Strossen & Eli Noam • Bruce Taylor • Barbara & Albert Uziel

• Ann Vallombroso • Anne Waldman • Evelyn & Michael Weinstein

A fantasia on the Life of Florence Foster Jenkins

by Stephen Temperley

presents

Cosme McMoonGreg Chrzczon

Florence Foster JenkinsPriscilla Squiers

The CastDirected by Sonnie Osborne

Originally produced on Broadway by Ted Snowdon in association with Janice Montana and by arrangement with the York Theatre Company

Time1964 at first, returning to 1932 through the ‘40s.

PlaceVarious locations in New York City:

The Supper ClubFFJ’s music room at the Ritz-Carlton

Carnegie HallDressing room at Carnegie Hall

Originally produced by Westport Community Theatre under the direction of Ruth Anne Baumgartner

Production StaffDirector ................................................................................Sonnie OsborneStage Manager ........................................................................Kathy BolsterSet Design .........................................Scott Wyshynski, Richard PettiboneBuilders .........................Richard Pettibone, Scott Wyshynski, Jay Novicky, .................. Glenn R. Couture, Frank Russo, John Bolster, Sonnie OsborneLighting Design ...................................Richard Pettibone, Scott Wyshynski Running Crew ............................. Dan Knowlton, Tom Burke, John Bolster Costume Coordination ..................................................... St. Clair BayfieldSeamstress .............................................................................Rhonda SchutzDressers ...................................................... Beth Plotkin, Erin ShaughnessySound Design .............................................. Jason Whitaker, Tom Libonate House Managers ...........................Mary Kimball, Christine Daley, Jill Pace Publicist...................................................................................Tom Libonate Photography .......David Henningsen Photography, Ghostlight Photography Web Site ....................................................................printplusdesignllc.comArtistic Consultant ......................................................................Jane Farnol Producers .............................................. Richard Pettibone, Sonnie Osborne

Special Thanks • Elpidia Casseus and Yury Feygin at Amadeus Piano Company • Renee Purdy •• Warner Theatre • Suzi Pettibone • FM97.3 WZBG Backstage with Johnny O •

• Westport Community Theatre and Mary Kulcsar for many costumes •• Wigs provided by Wigboys •

WHO’S WHO IN THE CAST

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PRISCILLA SQUIERS (Florence Foster Jenkins) is happy to return to TheatreWorks where she was last seen as Abby in The Musicals of Musicals (The Musical!). Other TW roles include Rona Lisa in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Lilli/Kate in Kiss Me, Kate, Charlotte in A Little Night Music, Mrs. Kendal in The Elephant Man and Teenage Greek Chorus in How I Learned to Drive. Priscilla is indebted to Greg Chrzczon for reprising his role as Cosme and to Sonnie Osborne and TheatreWorks for guiding this latest Souvenir journey. She sends special thanks to Ruth Anne Baumgartner and the Westport Community Theatre team for first bringing this production to life last spring. Mille grazie! A veteran of many area stages, Priscilla counts among her favorite recent credits Emma Goldman in Ragtime and Alice Beane in Titanic, both at the Warner Theatre; and Mrs. Lovett in Sweeney Todd at Musicals at Richter. Among her dramatic credits are Maria Callas in Master Class, the title role in The Belle of Amherst, Titania in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Rosalind in As You Like It, Olivia in Twelfth Night, Kate and Agnes in two different productions of Dancing at Lughnasa, Nina in The Seagull, Annie in The Real


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Thing, Annie in The Steward of Christendom, Sally in Lips Together, Teeth Apart, Vivie in Mrs. Warren’s Profession and the host of wacky women in the CT premiere of Jeffrey.

Other musical roles include Anna in The King and I, The Baker’s Wife in Into the Woods, Lucille Frank in Parade, Eliza in My Fair Lady, the title role in Annie Get Your Gun, Judy/Ginger in Ruthless!, Julie in Carousel, Guenevere in Camelot, Maria in The Sound of Music, Helena in The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Lily Garland in On the Twentieth Century, Magnolia in Showboat, Dollyheart Talbo in The Grass Harp, Katisha in The Mikado, Pam in Baby and featured roles in A…My Name is Alice. Priscilla is a graduate of Bowdoin College and Harvard Divinity School. She thanks her husband Kyle Minor and her four wonderful children for their love, laughter and support, and she dedicates her performance to her late parents, James and Virginia Squiers, whose stars are shining brightly tonight. She gives a special nod to her late grandmother and first acting inspiration, Helen Odell Squiers, who made her Broadway debut in The Skylark in 1921 with Gene Lockhart. Shall we make music?

GREG CHRZCZON (Cosme McMoon) is making his TheatreWorks debut as Cosme McMoon in Souvenir. Born in Louisville, KY, Greg studied piano from an early age. In college he was presented the dilemma of whether to pursue music, theater, or his other love - computers. By day Greg now works as a software development manager, but by night Greg is an actor, accompanist, and musical director.

Greg first worked with Priscilla (Florence) in a 1993 production of Pirates of Penzance, followed by Man of La Mancha the following year. More recently, he and Priscilla performed Souvenir in Westport and in Southbury.

Greg’s most recent appearance on stage was as Dr. Jim Bayliss in All My Sons at Curtain Call in Stamford. Other roles include Oklahoma! (Cord Elam), 1776 (Col. Thomas McKean), Man of La Mancha (Pedro - 1994, Governor/Innkeeper - 2009), Natalie Needs a Nightie (Jimmy), I Hate Hamlet (Gary), and The Nerd (Axel).

Greg is usually behind the scenes as musical director. Those credits include Follies, Gypsy, Legally Blonde - The Musical, A Merry Mulberry Street Musical, The Goodbye Girl - The Musical, The Sound of Music, Sweeney Todd, A Chorus Line, Annie, Pirates of Penzance, and many more. Greg also spends time performing in orchestras for such shows as The Producers, Les Miserables, Spamalot, Nunsense, Titanic - The Musical, Rent, and others.

Greg wants to thank Priscilla for inviting him to be a part of this lovely story, to Sonnie and Kathy for their diligent attention and professionalism, and to Ruth Anne for her guidance and inspiration.

Greg lives in Stamford with his very supportive partner Tom, and their cat Buster.


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THOMAS A. BURKE (Running Crew) is excited to participate in this production of Souvenir, having worked with the principals for two previous productions in Westport and Southbury. Tom has appeared in several other shows including Gypsy, Annie, A Merry Mulberry Christmas Musical, Legally Blonde, and Fiddler on the Roof. Tom is eternally grateful to his partner Greg for his encouragement and support.

BETH PLOTKIN (Dresser) is excited and grateful to be a part of TheatreWorks’ production of Souvenir, working backstage as a costume dresser. In the past, you may have seen her ushering or working the concession. She has also worked on previous productions following book for the actors during rehearsals. “It has been such a rewarding experience being affiliated with TheatreWorks and getting an education about all the nuts and bolts of Theatre. I could not think of a more enjoyable way to give back to my community than to be a part of TheatreWorks. Enjoy the Show!”

DANFORD KNOWLTON (Running Crew) got his start at TheatreWorks as the sound technician for Exit The King in 2010. Since then he has worked as both a light and sound operator for five shows as well as working as a projectionist for the 2012 production of Golda’s Balcony. In addition, he has worked as the lighting operator at the Sherman Playhouse where he also made his onstage debut. His first acting role was in their holiday pantomime Aladdin in 2013 where he played as Abu Bin Brawny, the princess’ bodyguard. Most recently, he appeared in the radio play It’s a Wonderful Life as “Dan the sound fx man.” He thanks his mother, father, and stepfather for supporting him as well as his friends at TheatreWorks for letting him help out once again on this new show.

KATHY BOLSTER (Stage Manager) is happy to be behind the scenes again in one of her favorite places to be, TheatreWorks. Kathy is delighted to be working with some old friends and to have the opportunity to make new ones. She is grateful to Sonnie for allowing her to share the magic of the theatre. As always, she extends lots of love to John, Chris, and Ian, the three wonderful men in her life.

SONNIE OSBORNE (Director) has had a long-standing association with TheatreWorks and is a member of our artistic committee. As an accomplished actress, she has appeared on the TheatreWorks’ stage in numerous roles, most notably as Golda Meir in the critically acclaimed, Golda’s Balcony. Other stage credits include : The Cripple of Inishmaan, Rabbit Hole, Medea, Fuddy Meers, The Laramie Project, The Vagina Monologues, A Skull in Connemara, This is a Play, Italian/American Reconciliation, How I Learned to Drive, Buried Child, Agnes of God, Talking With…, Love Letters, Sister Mary Ignatius…, and Silent Night, Lonely Night, among others. Directorial credits include Mauritius, The Fourth Wall, Moonlight and Magnolias, and Lobby Hero. Stage Manager and Assistant Director credits: November, Shakespeare for My Father, Exit the King, The Shape of Things, The Beauty Queen of Leenane and The Lonesome West. Drama Coach: Molly Sweeney. Off stage, Ms. Osborne records books-on-tape for the Connecticut Library for the Blind. “It’s been a joy to work with this gifted cast. Thank you Priscilla for this opportunity.”


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“One for My Baby”By Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer

All Rights Reserved. Used by Permission of Har-win Music Co.

“Crazy Rhythm”By Irving Caesar, Joseph Meyer, Roger Kahn

Copyright 1928, 1933 (Renewed), Warner Bros. Inc. (ASCAP)

All Rights Reserved. Used by Permission.

“Guess I’ll Hang My Tears Out to Dry”By Jule Styne, Sammy Cahn

Copyright 1944 (Renewed), Producers Music Publ .Co., Inc. (ASCAP) and Cahn Music Co. (ASCAP) All

rights on behalf of Producers Music Publ. Co., Inc.administered by Chappell & Co., Inc.All rights on behalf of Cahn Music Co.

administered by WB Music Corp.All Rights Reserved. Used by Permission

STEPHEN TEMPERLEY (Playwright) Born in London, Temperley came to the U.S. as a teenager. He went on to train as an actor at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. His first play to be produced was Beside the Seaside at the Hudson Guild, directed by Vivian Matalon - Matalon has directed all of his work since. Other plays include Money/Mercy, which was first produced at the Chelsea Theatre center and then as part of the first HBO New Writers’ Workshop. Dance with Me, which was first seen at the 18th Street Theatre and later at Centenary Theatre Company. Workshops include a musical, That Kind of Woman, for Dodger Productions and In the Country of the Free. Additionally, his satirical comedy about the Plymouth Colony entitled The Pilgrim Papers, was produced by the Berkshire Theatre Festival in their 2006 season. Souvenir was first seen at the York Theatre before going on to the Berkshire Theatre Festival and then Broadway, and has since become one of the most produced plays in the U.S.

“It All Depends on You”By Ray Henderson, Lew Brown, B.G. DesylvaCopyright 1926 (Renewed), Chappell & Co.,

Stephen Ballentine Music, Ray Henderson MusicAll Rights Reserved. Used by Permission.

“Violets for Your Furs”By Matt Dennis and Tom Adair

Copyright 1941, Music Sales Corporation (ASCAP) International.

All Rights Reserved. Used by Permission.

“Praise the Lord and Pass the Ammunition”By Frank Loesser

Published by Famous Music LLC (ASCAP).All Rights Reserved. Used by Permission.

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