The music in her head! review of Souvenir – a fantasia on the life of Florence Foster Jenkins

pardesi |

16 | March 3, 2009 at 2:12 am | 78 views | NaachGaana Bol| Share

Hello there! If you are new here, you might want to subscribe to the RSS feed for updates on this topic.

The American Conservatory Theater production of Souvenir directed by Vivian Matalon threatened to be a musical, and had only two people listed in the cast, Donald Corren as Cosme McMoon and Judy Kaye as Florence Foster Jenkins. A musical about a soprano who could not carry a note, and only one other member in the cast, a 2+ hour play – with a 15 minute intermission, how long CAN one listen to bad music? Well, the intermission seemed like a safe escape route if one felt too tortured by it all. The play began with Cosme (Corren) an aging bar piano-player telling us about how exactly his collaboration with Florence (Kaye) began. She was a wealthy socialite who needed an accompanist as she prepared for a soiree at the Ritz. She only sang lofty classical pieces and picked a piece from The Magic Flute for Cosme to play. As she began her staccato wailing and shrieking we were given a glimpse of Cosme’s disbelief at what he was hearing. But he was young, talented, jobless, and running out of money – so he took the job! Many hours of ear-shattering practices later he accompanied her to a full house at the Ritz Ballroom! People were in awe of Miss Jenkins’ “talent” and stuffed handkerchiefs in their mouths or clapped loud and shouted to drown out the sounds of their own laughter! Many had tears streaming down their cheeks that Miss Jenkins took as high approbation! Cole Porter was a regular attendee and said he had to poke his cane into his foot regularly to stop himself from losing all control. Cosme tried but was too nice a man, and too much in need of money to get out of the collaboration – it was simply a private series of “concerts” – only at the Ritz and never in public or open to the press. Then it all comes crashing down as Florence is offered a record deal – she is adamant about taking it as she has a desire to hear herself sing. When she does, to the audience’s amusement she rather feels the piano is out of sync! Needless to say the record sells out, and Cosme’s friends find out what his occupation is. Soon he is on the lookout for and making new non-musical friends! At the intermission I am stunned at how quickly time has flown by. It is possible to have an engaging musical based on the life of a woman who had no ear for music!

Read the rest at HERE

Simon Jenkins in The Guardian on Dubai and its rapid descent.

Music review of Ishqiya

What’s Your Raashee? Music Review

Music Review: My Name Is Khan

My Name Is Khan Detailed Music Review by Gianysh Toolsee

There Are 16 Responses So Far. »

Tango 3 March 2009
04:50:31 am

I have no idea about this (honestly) but it was lovely to read your superbly worded piece.

I’m sure others too have similar sentiments about your writing skills.

Thanks

julie 3 March 2009
05:36:45 am

Beautiful piece of writing neelu. Operas most of the times have me in tears by the end of their run (either in pain or in sheer ecstasy).

Saw a French Opera recently. ‘La Boheme’, a tragic masterpiece of young love and loss set in bohemian Paris. Throughly heart rending and a Piano recital by Pollini of Beethoven’s sonatas. However nothing in my view can replicate the expereince that I had with the ‘Phantom of the Opera’. A masterpiece romantic classical, a haunting love story, which was far more impelling and resonating in live theatrical shows than the actual movie itself.

neelu – it would be great to see more a few more posts and reviews like the above from you.

I want to start some threads on BW legends (maybe I will ast leisure do a write up on Madhuri Dixit to begin with ). I just need some guidance on how to put up links to videos in a post.

BADA BHAI 3 March 2009
08:41:18 am

Thanks Neelu – good one

neelu 3 March 2009
09:28:43 am

Thanks all!

neelu 3 March 2009
09:29:42 am

Oh I forgot to add that the star of this show, Judy Kaye, has won a Tony for her performance in Phantom of the Opera.

SEXY 3 March 2009
11:32:09 am

Hey Neels – no time for anything or anyone except the King. Liked ya review tho’

SEXY 3 March 2009
11:33:16 am

I am still fuming from the fact that the King did not get the FF best actor award. He deserved it more than that retard for JA. He is only good for roles like Krish LOL

BADA BHAI 3 March 2009
11:45:13 am

Thats not fair sexy. I think HR deserved this award, he acted pretty well in JA.

neelu 3 March 2009
11:50:47 am

The King endures! Is saal loss ho gaya Billu ke wajah se, phir IPL bidding costs, loss of Pepsi contract, warne yeh award bhi khareed leta!

SEXY 3 March 2009
11:53:30 am

Who the hell says “khareed leta”, he has deserved evry one o’ them awards.

BADA BHAI 3 March 2009
11:57:37 am

I beg to differ. He has deserved some but not all as most of the roles were pretty identical and also the fact remains that in Bollywood/FF the biggest grosser wins best film as well as best actor, this year they did not give it to Amir since he doesnt show up and they are pissed so they gave it to HR. Even if Amir had won i would have no problem as both HR and Amir were much better than SRK to be honest.

SEXY 3 March 2009
12:00:48 pm

C’mon man be serious. I dont wanna start a fight here as we have been asked not to anymore so will respect NG, but come to yr senses bro, no one can act betta than the KING. All of you other actors fans are just plain jealous. ’nuff said