The remarkable Judy Kaye (Sweeney Todd) returns to A.C.T. in the outrageous Broadway role that earned her a Tony Award nomination. A fresh, original adventure, Souvenir imagines the story of real-life Florence Foster Jenkins, a New York socialite and tone-deaf diva who thought she was a great soprano. Broadway's brilliant Donald Corren plays her wry accompanist, who chronicles Florence's unlikely rise to cult status, culminating in an infamous sold-out Carnegie Hall performance. A heartfelt, wickedly funny look at the limits of self-perception and the unpredictable nature of friendship.
Running time: 2 hours 20 minutes
"Comedic brilliance! A laugh riot . . . a bravura performance by Tony winner Judy Kaye"
—San Francisco Chronicle
"A stunning presentation. . . unfolded with tremendous humor, and a gentle touch of pathos
. . . positively a must-see!" —KGO Radio
"Overflowing with heart, soul, and laughs . . . a must-see production! Perfectly nuanced"
—San Francisco Examiner
"A.C.T. makes beautiful music with Souvenir . . . a heartwarming and human story"
—Contra Costa Times
"Hilarious and touching! Played to the hilt by the inimitable Judy Kaye . . . Corren lands every gag as the ultimate straight-man" —San Jose Mercury News
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Koret Prologue*
February 17, 5:30 p.m.
Get inside the artistic process—come early for a preperformance discussion with the director and a member of the A.C.T. artistic staff.
Theater on the Couch*
February 20, 8 p.m.
Join members of the San Francisco Center for Psychoanalysis for an exciting postperformance discussion that explores the psychological aspects of the show and addresses audience questions.
The Inner 'I': How Artists See Themselves
February 23, 5:30 p.m.
A free event featuring Lotfi Mansouri, celebrated opera director and the general director emeritus of the San Francisco Opera; Judy Kaye, the Tony Award–winning star of Souvenir; and internationally acclaimed mezzo-soprano Frederica von Stade. Read more about the Koret Visiting Artist Series.
Koret Audience Exchanges*
February 24, 7 p.m.
March 1, 2 p.m.
March 11, 2 p.m.
After the show, stick around for a lively Q&A session with the actors, moderated by a member of the A.C.T. artistic staff.
OUT with A.C.T.
February 25, 8 p.m.
LGBT night at A.C.T. features a catered afterparty and a cast meet and greet. Visit www.act-sf.org/out for more information about how to subscribe to OUT nights.
A.C.T. and The Onion at Martuni's
March 1, 5 p.m.
Celebrate your inner diva with A.C.T. and The Onion at a special free event at Martuni's! Bring your favorite aria or show tune and show us what you've got. Best and worst singers honored with tickets to Souvenir, Onion swag, and more. Martuni's is located at 4 Valencia Street in San Francisco.
*Discussions are free for ticket holders. Please note that performance times vary.
Insight into the Play, the Playwright, and the Production
Each entertaining and informative issue of Words on Plays, A.C.T.'s in-depth performance guide series, contains a synopsis, advance program notes, study questions, and additional background information about the historical and cultural context of the play.
Words on Plays is available for purchase in the lobby of the theater during performances or online ($12 each + postage and handling). To subscribe to the full season ($70), call 415.749.2250.
Words on Plays Prepared by
Elizabeth Brodersen, Publications Editor
Michael Paller, Resident Dramaturg
Dan Rubin, Publications & Literary Associate
Lesley Gibson, Publications & Literary Intern
Table of Contents
Adobe Reader is required to view A.C.T. publications.
Production Photos
 View production photos from Souvenir starring Judy Kaye and Donald Corren.
Photos by Ashley Forrette.
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Podcasts
Lotfi Mansouri, celebrated opera director and the general director emeritus of the San Francisco Opera; Judy Kaye, the Tony Award–winning star of Souvenir; and internationally acclaimed mezzo-soprano Frederica von Stade visited A.C.T. on February 23, 2009 for a panel discussion focusing on the different ways artists view themselves and how these self-images affect their work.
"A towering comic performance! Judy Kaye is sublimely funny. Donald Corren is silvery-smooth . . . a beguiling comic jewel with a heart. Highly entertaining!" —Variety
"Hilarious and extraordinary . . . Judy Kaye is incredibly moving
and breathtaking . . . a loony triumph!" —Daily News (New York)
"If this performance isn't a theatrical memory to cherish,
I don't know what is."
—The Village Voice
"Donald Corren is superlative!" —Daily News (New York)
"Souvenir squeals with diva delight! Beautifully detailed and charming" —USA Today
"A bona fide star vehicle for Judy Kaye and Donald Corren"
—Daily News (Los Angeles)
"Howlingly funny! Pure theatrical magic" —Time Out New York
"You'll laugh till you cry! There aren’t many theatrical experiences as good as Souvenir." —The Boston Globe
"Everything Judy Kaye does is sheer, riotous bliss . . . Kaye's Florence is one of the great tragicomic performances of recent times. Hilarious!" —Bloomberg News
"Donald Corren plays Cosme McMoon exquisitely." —The Boston Globe
"Funny and warmhearted! Judy Kaye turns hilarious vocal somersaults with the finesse of an acrobat." —Associated Press
"A surprisingly affecting comedy . . . a sweet love letter of a play. The redoubtable Judy Kaye and the excellent Donald Corren are lovely company." —The New York Times
Press Releases
A.C.T. Presents a Conversation with Opera and Music Luminaries
for Koret Visiting Artist Series
February 12, 2009
From Mrs. Lovett to Florence Foster Jenkins: Judy Kaye Returns to
A.C.T. with Souvenir
January 14, 2009
Announcing American Conservatory Theater's 2008–09 Season
March 26, 2008
Reviews and Other Press
Theater review: 'Souvenir' strikes a chord (PDF)
David Wiegand, San Francisco Chronicle
Review: American Conservatory Theatre makes beautiful music with 'Souvenir' (PDF)
Pat Craig, Contra Costa Times
A.C.T.'s 'Souvenir' is both hilarious and touching (PDF)
Karen D'Souza, San Jose Mercury News
A musical 'Souvenir' not to be forgotten (PDF)
Leslie Katz, San Francisco Examiner
'Souvenir' star says it feels good to sing badly
Leba Hertz, San Francisco Chronicle
'Souvenir' recounts life of famously bad singer Florence Foster Jenkins
Pat Craig, Contra Costa Times
Kaye's latest diva is delusional
Robert Sokol, The Examiner
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