SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, Dec. 12, 2024 (Gephardt Daily) — Pioneer Theatre Company’s production of “Souvenir” will make you laugh, grimace, feel pity for one character and irritation with the other, then bring you to a place where you can appreciate the unique value of both.
And throughout, your laughter returns as you react to fellow audience members’ failed attempts to stifle their chortles, snickers and snorts.
“Souvenir,” by playwright Stephen Temperley, tells the story of Florence Foster Jenkins (actress Linda Mugleton), a wealthy 1940s socialite who hires a much younger, aspiring songwriter, Cosme McMoon (actor and pianist Bob Walton) to accompany her while she prepares for an operatic recital for her friends.
The 2016 film, “Florence Foster Jenkins,” based on the same semi-biographical story, starred a strong Meryl Streep and a halting, fidgety Hugh Grant, if that helps you imagine the characters.
“Souvenir,” told in flashback scenes, recalls how McMoon, in his youth, was desperate for rent money and reluctantly agreed to take the brief job even after discovering the confident Jenkins was blissfully unaware she was tone deaf.
The situation extends and escalates, of course, leaving an older McMoon grappling with the dubious choices he felt compelled to make as Jenkins begins to gain fame/infamy.
Walton is brilliant as McMoon, as he alternates between trying to spare Jenkins’ feelings with politeness and making real, exasperated attempts to help her improve her voice. Walton is funny as his character struggles, and revisits the choices he made over the multi-year relationship that started with his accepting the temporary job.
And Mugleton is brilliant as Jenkins, who is utterly convinced of her talent and unaware of her snobbery regarding people she does not consider her equals, which includes McMoon.
She also has no concept social incorrectness, as demonstrated visually by her choice of concert performance costumes (executed by designer K.L. Alberts).
Scenic designer Jo Winiarski also deserves congratulations for her grand yet set, which provides spaces for Jenkins and McMoon to work through or avoid a range of conflicts and emotions. Lighting design, by Yang Yu, also assists in making the space believable as a concert hall, a rehearsal study, and a living space.
And director Wes Grantom brings everything together, presenting the perfect and unlikely story of power, unwavering confidence, regrets, and finally, affection and respect.
“Souvenir” continues weekdays and Saturdays through Dec. 21 at the Meldrum Theatre in the Einar Nielsen Field House, southeast of Pioneer Memorial Theater. The theater is close to the Trax line, so be prepared to mentally subtract a low rumbling sound a dozen or more times during the show. If you can numb yourself just a little to Jenkins’ off-tune voice, low Trax sounds should be no problem.
“Souvenir” lasts two hours, including an intermission. Shows start at 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 7:30 p.m. Friday, and 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday. For ticket availability, call 801-581-6961 during business hours or visit this theater link. Ticket costs are $5 more at the door.
