Souvenir: A Fantasia of Fun
- by Carol White Llewellyn
Review of Blackfriars Theatre’s Production of Souvenir: A Fantasia on the Life of Florence Foster Jenkins
Blackfriars Theatre opened its 76th Season with Souvenir: A Fantasia on the Life of Florence Foster Jenkins, written by Stephen Temperley. This production presents a humorous and heartfelt interpretation on the actual life of "Lady Florence," a New York City Socialite who aspired to be an opera singer.
The two-character show traces the unlikely musical career of a woman blessed with far more ambition than musical talent, who uses her dubious skills to raise funds for her favorite charities, initially carefully vetting her audience, and performing in smaller venues.
There is great chemistry between Jessica Best as Lady Florence and her often-reluctant accompanist Cosmé McMoon, portrayed by Brian Bohrer. Together, they keep the show moving at an allegro pace.
Jessica Best leans into Florence’s physical comedy and wide-eyed innocence, while Bohrer delights with his perfectly-timed repartee, wry reactions, and asides to the audience. Their interplay makes the show laugh-out-loud hysterical at times. The array of Lady Florence’s performance costumes—cleverly designed by Katherine McCarthy for Blackfriars’ production—adds another layer of comedy to the production.
Lest you think the show all fun and games, both Bohrer and Best have tremendous musical talent. Bohrer’s versatility shines as he shifts effortlessly from arias to jazz, making both his voice and the piano keys dance. Even as Jessica Best authentically delivers on Lady Florence’s performances, once dubbed by opera impresario Ira Siff as “exquisitely bad, so bad that it added up to quite a good evening of theater,” her actual skill and the exquisite beauty of her voice peeks out. I want to note that you do not need to love, or even know opera to enjoy this show.
As always, Blackfriars makes innovative use of its intimate stage, and scenic designer Allen Wright Shannon creatively transports us from the rehearsal room at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel to the footlights at Carnegie Hall.
Audiences may not see the director at work, but like the composer of a score, their influence runs through every note of the play. Director Nathaniel Niemi strikes exactly the right chord with this production, giving it polish and perfect timing.
What makes Souvenir so poignant is that, beneath the comedy lies a story with surprising depth. It is not just a fantasia of fun, but an exploration of what it means to be human—our longing for purpose, the bonds of trust and friendship, and the ways we shield those we care about. It is a tale of ambition and desire, tempered with frustration and doubt, reminding us that even the most off-key voices can find joy in pursuit of purpose, and leave behind a lasting legacy.
Souvenir runs Thursday to Saturday at 7:30 pm and Sunday at 2 pm through September 14, 2025. It's a pitch-perfect mix of comedy and heart, so be sure to catch it before the final curtain.
Photos courtesy of Blackfriars Theatre.