Trail & District Arts Council presents: The Classical Series
SOUVENIR : A Fantasia on the Life of Florence Foster Jenkins
Saturday, February 6 2027
The Bailey Theatre
7:30PM
Enjoy an evening of comedy, drama and music as Trail & District Arts Council presentsSOUVENIR : a fantasia on the life of Florence Foster Jenkinsat The Bailey Theatre on Saturday February 6 2027 at 7:30 pm as part of our Classical series.
Souveniris an award-winning two-hander play with music written by Stephen Temperley, first produced in 2004 and opened on Broadway in 2005. The show is based on the true story of Florence Foster Jenkins, an affluent socialite and opera singer with a ‘famously uncertain sense of pitch’, and her accompanist, Cosmé McMoon.
Jenkins is oblivious to her lack of talent, mistaking her audience’s laughter for cheers, but her notoriety leads to sold out performance halls, which brings her extraordinary fame in 1920’s and ‘30s New York.
The story is told from the perspective of Cosmé as he details his relationship with Florence from their first meeting in 1932 and culminating in her final infamous performance at Carnegie Hall shortly before her death. As Cosmé struggles to tell Florence the truth the show balances the comedy and dramatic tension of Florence Foster Jenkins' lack of self-awareness as a singer.
Souvenirintegrates both jazz and classical music of the 1920’s and ‘30s, juxtaposing the characters of Cosmé and Florence and their different preferences in music. While a comedy, Souvenir has both sad and touching moments, and ultimately demonstrates the joy and beauty of music, and how passion can transcend technical perfection.
Like Florence Foster Jenkins said, 'what’s important is what you hear in your head’.
Florence Foster Jenkins is played by Rachel DeShon who, ironically, is known for her “undeniably fantastic” voice and was the winner of Marvin Hamlisch’s 'Search for a Star' competition with the Seattle Symphony. She has performed with Marvin Hamlisch, Joan Baez, Ann Wilson, Thelma Houston, Martha Davis, Norman Durkee, Lilianne Montevecchi, and Frank Ferrante and as a guest artist with the Seattle Symphony Pops, Boston POPS!, Pittsburgh Symphony Pops, Elgin Symphony Orchestra, and at Singapore’s Esplanade Concert Hall.
Cosmé McMoon is played by Kozmo Sammartino, an emerging professional actor, singer, and aspiring composer, born and raised in Nelson. He studied for three years at St. Clair College’s Music Theatre Performance program and recently completed his Honour’s Bachelor’s Degree in Performing Arts at the Atlantic Technological University in Sligo, Ireland. Trained as a classical bass baritone musical theatre singer, Kozmo has performed as a guest soloist on two occasions with the Windsor Symphony Orchestra.
Pat Henman (Director) is a veteran of the Canadian theatre and music industry. Originally from Nova Scotia, Pat and her family have made Nelson home since 2000. She has a degree in Theatre from Dalhousie University, and studied Creative Writing at UBC. Pat has performed, directed and produced cabarets and theatre across Canada. She is the recipient of awards in music and television, and was the 2018 recipient of a Special Citation in recognition for her “considerable Contribution to Arts, Culture and Heritage in the City of Nelson, BC.” She was named as one of the Top Ten Dalhousie University 2021 ‘Inspirational Alumni’.
Watch the trailer
Tickets $35 or $17.50 for those 30 years old and under.
A 3-show series pass is just $90.
Or, Pick Your Own season by buying one of our EDGE Memberships, starting at $30, and get 20% off Trail Arts Council presentations and other benefits.
All tickets are general admission and available online at purchase.trail-arts.com, by phone at 250-368-9669, and in person at the Bailey Box Office at 1501 Cedar Ave., Trail.
Tickets are non-refundable.
Reminder - please do not wear strong smelling perfumes or colognes to the Bailey Theatre as the building is a scent free zone. Thank you for your cooperation.
This performance is made possible thanks to funding from the BC Arts Council, BC Live Performance Network, the Government of Canada, and Tourism South Kootenay. We also gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Province of British Columbia.
Other Classical series events
Quartetto Gelatoon Tuesday, October 6 in The Bailey at 7:30 pm - Virtuosic showpieces and romantic ballads, blazing Romani tunes and forgotten chestnuts, all brought to life with multi-instrument mastery: this is Quartetto Gelato—a popular and highly unusual classical quartet.
Fire & Grace: Celtic Meets Classical with Afternoon Teaon Sunday, April 4 in The Griff at The Bailey at 3 pm – An eclectic collaboration by virtuoso performers that explores the musical landscape of classical, folk, and contemporary traditions from around the world. The repertoire ranges from Bach to Vivaldi, tango to Celtic reels, traditional Bulgarian to American fiddle tunes and waltzes, all played with passion and virtuosity found in these diverse traditions.
