Steadstyle Chicago
	November 2009 Theatre Review by Alan Bresloff
	Souvenir Many of us think of ourselves as quite the singer, but most often, we are the only ones who appreciate the wonderful flow of music that springs from our vocal chords.  And most often, it is in the shower or our car when we are alone.  Try to think of how others might react to your singing and you may think they will laugh at what they hear or find an excuse not to listen to you at all.  In Stephen Tempeley's "Souvenir" we learn of a woman, Ms. Florence Foster Jenkins, a New York socialite who was known as the tone deaf diva.  Her accomplishments are told through the eyes and ears of her accompanist Cosme McMoon, a marvelous performance by Mark Anders, a solid musician with a great comic touch. This is a story based on facts that takes us through her years starting with little recitals, a recording and of course her triumphant concert at Carnegie Hall.  All of this with no ability to carry or even find a tune to sing on.  Ms. Foster-Jenkins (played with great feeling by Neva Rae Powers) truly believed that she had perfect pitch and could hear the music as well as feel it.  Her accompanist took on the job for the need of money and the hopes that he would be able to write some songs that people would want to sing.  What he found was that despite her inability to carry a tune, the audiences loved and adored her.  Yes, they laughed!  Yes, many of them bolted for the door!  But as time went on, audiences found that her love of music transferred to them the feeling of the music and not only accepted her, but flocked to see her.  Tickets sold as fast as her concert was announced and while she never was able to sing the songs as they were written, even Mr. McMoon found himself respecting her love of music, her sincerity and her desire to make audiences happy.  In this she succeeded. Directed with great skill by Steve Scott, this is a charming little history lesson with two actors that bring this relationship to life before our very eyes.  I would have to say that the only change I might make would be to shave some of the material and make this show a 90-100 minute, no intermission production.  There are several spots and songs that might be cut down to get this done.  I often feel that the intermission part of a show was designed to sell stuff and in many cases hurts the flow of the story for the audience, many of whom feel they must make a call or two during this period and then have a problem getting back into the story. The set by Tom Burch is simple but elegant and the costumes by Theresa Ham for Ms. Powers are nothing short of spectacular.  This play with music includes classics of the time, "One For My Baby", "Crazy Rhythm", "It All Depends on You", "Praise The Lord and Pass The Ammunition" and many more including "Ave Maria," which at the end is heard the way that Ms. Foster Jenkins evidently heard herself.  By the way, it is not easy to sing as far off tune as Ms. Powers does throughout this production and when she sings the final song, one can hear the glorious tones of her true voice.  It is beautiful and will bring a tear to your eye. Those of my generation may recall Mrs. Miller, a frequent guest on the Tonight Show with Steve Allen and her inability to carry a tune and yet, the audience loved her and her desire to please them.  She may have been the second coming of Ms. Florence Foster Jenkins, only we didn't know why we loved her.  It appears that audiences appreciate those who love what they are doing as much as those who are quality performers.  Perhaps performers can learn a lesson from this story. If you love what you do and the people see that you do, they will adore you, perhaps not for your talent, but for your desire and love of what you do.  Not a bad lesson at all. "Souvenir" will continue through December 20, 2009 at Northlight Theatre located at 9501 N. Skokie Blvd. in Skokie, just South of Golf Rd/Old Orchard Center.  Performances are Tuesdays at 7 :30 p.m. (except 12/15), Wednesdays at 1 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., Thursday at  7:30 p.m. (except Turkey Day), Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2:30 p.m. and 8 p.m., Sunday at 2:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. (except 12/6 and 12/13).  Tickets range from  $35- $50 and are available at the box office, by phone at 847-673-6300 or online at www.northlight.org.  There is plenty of free parking.  Special rates for those under 25 $10.00 (one per person with valid ID).   About Alan Bresloff Alan Bresloff, once an actor himself, has been covering the Chicago Theater Scene since 1993, first as the Theater and Arts critic for LaRaza newspaper, then with Salsachicago.com and then onto Extra Newspaper and The Epoch Times.  He also writes for ElImparcial and TeleGuia.  His reviews can also be seen on www.theatreinchicago.com.  Alan does not call himself a "critic" but a "reviewer" as he tries to educate the reader about theater itself, what is a good value, what to look for in a play or musical and more.  "Exposure to theater is a very important part of a young person's life" he says. "Learning about the arts and culture is in fact learning about life" and he tries to explain more in his reviews than just if it is good or bad.  Even some of the poor productions have some value, he often says and he would love your feedback on shows that you have seen.  You can write him here or at albresloff@sbcglobal.net.