BENNINGTON, Vt. — Oldcastle Theatre Company will open its 50th season on June 17 with "Souvenir — A Fantasia on the Life of Florence Foster Jenkins" by Stephen Temperley.

 

"Souvenir" tells the fictionalized story of the real-life wealthy socialite and musical cult-figure Florence Foster Jenkins, who 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 as audience members stuffed their handkerchiefs in their mouths to stifle their laughter — which Jenkins blissfully mistook for cheers. Her celebrity brought her all the way to a solo performance at Carnegie Hall in 1944. The story is told through the eyes of her longtime accompanist Cosme McMoon 

 

Kaia Monroe is set to portray Jenkins, and Tim Howard returns to Oldcastle Theatre Company to play accompanist McMoon. 

 

"Souvenir" is directed by Artistic Director Nathan Stith with scenic design and costumes by Ken Mooney, lighting design by Michael Giannitti, and sound design by Cory Wheat. The production stage manager is Kristine Schlachter.

 

The production runs June 17–26 at Bennington Performing Arts Center, the home of Oldcastle Theatre Company, 331 Main St. Tickets are $25–$35. Performances are Wednesday–Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Thursday, Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m., with a "pay what you will" night on Wednesday, June 22. 

 

Face masks are required when in the building. Get tickets at oldcastletheatre.org/tickets, at 802-447-0564, or in person 90 minutes prior to each performance.