Ensemble Theatre Company Presents
the Broadway hit, Souvenir.

(Santa Barbara, CA) Ensemble Theatre Company of Santa Barbara continues its 30th Anniversary Season with Souvenir, a heartfelt and outrageous show about the inimitable Florence Foster Jenkins. Stephen Temperley’s Broadway hit play begins performances on February 4 and plays through February 28, 2010, with opening night on Saturday, February 6. Time Out New York called Souvenir “wildly funny, pure theatrical magic.”

Florence Foster Jenkins, a New York socialite in the 1930’s and 40’s, fancied herself a naturally gifted coloratura soprano, even though she was tone-deaf. Through a winning combination of determination and self-delusion, Jenkins’ popularity grew as she moved from her first concert at a New York hotel to recordings and, finally, an outrageous sold-out concert at Carnegie Hall. To achieve her dream, she engages the services of Cosme McMoon, a struggling young pianist and composer. The story is told through McMoon’s eyes as his initial contempt for her gives way to reluctant admiration, then friendship and affection.

Jonathan Fox, Ensemble’s Executive Artistic Director, is pleased to welcome back guest director Michael Evan Haney, who directed Ensemble’s acclaimed 2008 production of The Syringa Tree. “Souvenir is a zany love story of sorts,” states Haney.  “It’s a love story between two very eccentric people who come together to make music.  Whether what they created should be best labeled “music” or “mayhem,” the audience will have a delightful time deciding.” Mr. Haney has been the Associate Artistic Director for the Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park since 2002. Throughout his career he has directed more than 60 productions.

Playing the role of the eccentric Ms. Jenkins is Neva Rae Powers, who has enjoyed a widely diverse career as dancer, actor, singer, conductor, director, flutist, choreographer and teacher. Ms. Powers appeared in the Broadway productions of King of Hearts, Peter Pan, Barnum, and Can-Can as well as fifty other roles off-Broadway and in regional theatre. Her European credits include Bernstein’s Mass in Berlin, Jedermann with Klaus Maria-Brandauer at the Salzburg Festival, Song of Broadway at Vienna’s English Theatre, The Bartered Bride at the Chamber Opera of Vienna, and a recurring role in the Austrian sitcom Der Leihopa. In the U.S., she toured the country with the Broadway production of Little Women in the part of Aunt March. She has directed and choreographed over 30 musicals and revues in Budapest, Vienna, Stuttgart, and the USA.

Edwin Cahill will play her reluctant accompanist, Cosme McMoon. His Broadway credits include LoveMusik and the first national tour of Sweeney Tood. Off-Broadway he appeared in Beowulf at the Irish Repertory Theatre. His work around the country includes The Musical of Musicals—The Musical! at The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, The Mystery of Edwin Drood at River Rep Theatre Company in Connecticut, Guys and Dolls at Northern Stage in Vermont, among many other productions. Mr. Cahill appeared on the History Channel in George Washington. Mr. Cahill was educated at the New England Conservatory, Tufts University, Manhattan School of Music, and Paris University.

The Ensemble Theatre Company of Santa Barbara was founded in 1979 and is housed at the intimate Alhecama Theatre located in the historic Presidio District in downtown Santa Barbara at 914 Santa Barbara Street. Now celebrating its 30th Anniversary season, under the leadership of Executive Artistic Director Jonathan Fox, ETC is Santa Barbara's longest running, award-winning professional resident theatre company. The 2009-10 Season continues with The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams (April 8 to May 2, 2010) and Loot by Joe Orton (June 3 to June 27, 2010).

Performances run Tuesdays through Saturdays at 8:00 pm and Sundays at 2:00 and 7:00 pm. Single tickets for Souvenir range from $29.00 to $48.00. Discounts for seniors and students apply. Subscriptions, single tickets and group tickets are available through the Ensemble Theatre Box Office at (805) 965-5400 or online at www.ensembletheatre.com.

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Calendar Listing — STAGE

Production:
Souvenir by Stephen Temperley

Dates:
Thursday, February 4, through Sunday, February 28, 2010
Opening Night Saturday, February 6, at 8:00 pm

Schedule:
Tuesdays through Saturdays at 8:00 pm.
and Sundays at 2:00 & 7:00 pm.
(no evening show Sunday, February 7, 2010)

Producer:
Ensemble Theatre Company (ETC) of Santa Barbara.
Jonathan Fox, Executive Artistic Director

Director:
Michael Evan Haney

Where:
Ensemble Theatre Company of Santa Barbara
at the Alhecama Theatre
914 Santa Barbara Street
Santa Barbara, CA 93101

Admission:
$29.00 – $48.00. Discounts are available to seniors, students and groups of 10 or more.

Tickets:
For reservations and information call the Ensemble
Box Office at (805) 965-5400. VISA/MC.
Box office hours are: Performance days 1:00 pm. to curtain,
non-performance days 1:00 pm. to 5:00 pm. Group Sales: (805) 965-5400.

Description:
Florence Foster Jenkins fancied herself a great opera singer. There was just one problem: she was tone deaf. Through a winning combination of determination and self-delusion, Jenkins' popularity grows as she moves from small concerts to recordings and, finally, an outrageous sold-out concert at Carnegie Hall. Based on a true story, Souvenir is a celebration of the indomitable spirit and inner diva in us all.

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