At first it is a full-on assault to the ears. But stick around long enough, and Nancy Robinette?s compulsive squawking and shrieking sounds less and less abusive as her Florence Foster Jenkins twitters and tweets her way through an opera savant?s songbook. Eventually her earnest efforts seem less cringe-tastic and somehow ? somehow ? endearing, even if her severed “coloratura” never grows on you.
But we politely applaud the woman behind “Souvenir: A Fantasia on the Life of Florence Foster Jenkins,” Stephen Temperley?s tribute to the late, not-so-great singer and her devoted accompanist.
» The Highlights
Counting Cole Porter and Tallulah Bankhead among her fans, Jenkins financed her own private concerts in Manhattan hotels (which were never open for review) and a few major cities before her final coup at Carnegie. Featuring memorable tunes such as “Crazy Rhythm” and “One for my Baby,” Serge Seiden?s swift production at The Studio Theatre gives Jenkins real heart, even as she crucifies “Ave Maria” and reduces the Queen of the Night?s aria to a few staccato squeals.
» The Lowlights
Who needs pitch ? or rhythm, for that matter? When tone-deaf ditties are delivered with such conviction and sheer gusto, there isn?t much room for constructive criticism.
» The Cast
Seiden chose a brilliant pair of actors to portray such loveable loons, and here Robinette screeches and swoons to the tune of J. Fred Shiffman?s piano as a blissfully disillusioned “Madame Flo,” the serenading soprano who disdained a “modern mania for accuracy”in her music.
Always at her side and sympathetic to her cause, Shiffman?s Cosme McMoon is a thoughtful soul reminiscing through bars of nostalgic melodies. A skilled pianist and amiable singer himself, Shiffman delivers an inspired performance as he plays his own mini-recital in Jenkins? honor.
» The Designers
Luciana Stecconi?s scenic design is both simple and sophisticated, moving from a rehearsal room to hotel drawing room to enormous concert hall with ease, while Reggie Ray?s costumes indicate the kind of eccentric fashions Jenkins modeled on stage.
» Munch on This
“Singing is a kind of dreaming in public,” suggests Robinette?s dear songbird ? and here, between her off-key cackling and demure diva demeanor, a star is born. It doesn?t matter if we can?t follow her silly scales or abstract interpretation of what the notes should be, there is a childlike joy in Jenkins? music ? and that?s the real “Souvenir” to take home from The Studio Theatre.
If you go
» “Souvenir: A Fantasia on the Life of Florence Foster Jenkins”
By Stephen Temperley
Directed by Serge Seiden
Through July 15
» Venue: The Studio Theatre
1501 14th St. NW
» Tickets: $39 to $55
» Performances: 7:30 Wednesdays through Sundays; 2:30 Saturday and Sunday
» Info: 202-332-3300
www.studiotheatre.org
