Souvenir is a comedy with music based on the real-life story of Florence Foster Jenkins, a wealthy society eccentric who suffered under the delusion that she was a great operatic soprano-when, in fact, she could not sing two consecutive notes in tune. Nonetheless, she sold out Carnegie Hall in two hours in 1944. Souvenir is an amusing and tender story told through the eyes of Cosme McMoon, Florence's accompanist. He is a talented musician who at first sees Florence only as a meal ticket, but their relationship becomes one of real friendship and affection.
Auditions are by appointment only on the afternoon/evenings of the following (location, unless otherwise noted, is to be determined-but will be in or around Glen Ellyn, IL):
Saturday, January 19, 2019
Sunday, January 20, 2019
If needed, Tuesday, January 22, 2019 evening at VTG
Callbacks Wednesday, January 23, 2019 evening at VTG
Roles:
Cosme McMoon (M) Late-30s - Mid-50s
The former accompanist to Florence Foster Jenkins. At the time of the play, he is a dapper man in his mid-50s. He has been the resident pianist at an elegant supper club in Greenwich Village for some years. His audience comes to be entertained as much by his abrasive asides as his music.
Florence Foster Jenkins (F) Late-40s - Early-60s
A wealthy society woman who, though she believes herself to be a great soprano, has no voice and is incapable of singing two notes in tune. Her belief in her talent, however, and her dedication to music and the art of singing is absolute. She behaves at all times as if she is a major vocal artist. There must be no hint of mockery.
(Age ranges are for the characters, not necessarily for the actors.)
Directed by Kevin Taylor
Produced by Matthew Taylor
Auditions for Cosme will consist of piano playing while singing and delivering a monologue. Auditions for FFJ will consist of a monologue and singing-both as FFJ and as a true soprano. (An accompanist will be provided.) Callbacks will consist of dialogue between Cosme and FFJ and will include piano playing (Cosme) and singing (both).
Contact Info:
Please send an email by Saturday, December 29 to SouvenirVTG@gmail.com with your name, phone number, and preference, if any, for a Saturday or Sunday audition. Audition dates may need to be added based on response; please let us know if you're also available Tuesday, January 22. We will try and accommodate your preference. Callbacks are the evening of Wednesday, January 23 at VTG. Feel free to include a resume and headshot if you'd like. You will receive a reply within a few hours confirming that we received your audition request. We will also include sheet music for you to learn, sides for your monologue, as well as sheet music and sides for the callbacks. Not everyone will be called back, but we want everyone to have the opportunity to learn the music and feel comfortable with the dialogue. Appointments will be assigned over the next two weeks and you will receive your date, time, and location by Sunday, December 30, 2018. If we receive an audition request after Saturday, December 29, we will try and accommodate the request if there are any open slots.
If you have any questions, please email SouvenirVTG@gmail.com