Souvenir

by Stephen Temperley

Stephen Temperley’s Souvenir brings to life the unforgettable true story of Florence Foster Jenkins, the wildly enthusiastic socialite whose famously off-key opera performances made her an unlikely sensation. Featuring Hedgerow Artistic Director Emeritus Penelope Reed as the eccentric singer, the play is told through the eyes of her devoted accompanist, Cosme McMoon, tracing their extraordinary partnership from intimate society recitals to Florence’s legendary Carnegie Hall concert. Hilarious and heartfelt, Souvenir explores the complicated line between talent and passion, asking what it truly means to love music and to pursue joy without fear of judgment. Filled with wit, warmth, and surprising emotional depth, this “beguiling comic jewel with a heart” (Variety) celebrates the enduring power of art, ambition, and human connection.