SOUVENIR extended at the YORK THEATRE

Souvenir, The York's Theatre Company's hit play starring Tony-Award winner Judy Kaye, which has been playing to cheering audiences, has been extended thru January 16, 2005 at the Company's home, The York Theatre at Saint Peter's in the Citigroup Center, 619 Lexington Avenue (at 54th Street). The Daily News wrote, "Souvenir is hilarious... touching... a remarkable piece of theater."

Written by Stephen Temperley and directed by Tony Award-winner Vivian Matalon, Souvenir is based on the story of the legendary Florence Foster Jenkins, (Judy Kaye) the musically challenged coloratura, and her relationship with her hapless accompanist, Cosmé McMoon (Jack Lee).

The New York Times said, "Judy Kaye is marvelous." Time Out New York added, "Judy Kaye's richly comic and sensitive star turn should be remembered for years to come."

Florence Foster Jenkins, a wealthy society eccentric, suffered under the delusion that she was a great soprano--when in fact the exact opposite was true. Nevertheless, her charity recitals in the ballroom of the Ritz Carlton Hotel and other New York venues brought her extraordinary fame. As news of her unfortunate singing spread, so did her celebrity. Audiences fought to get into her recitals; Mrs. Jenkins blissfully mistook their muffled laughter for cheers. One concert at Carnegie Hall in the mid '40s sold out in two hours and 2000 disappointed people were turned away.

Souvenir, by turn hilarious and poignant, tells her story through the eyes of Cosmé McMoon. As her accompanist, he begins by treating her with derision which grows into friendship as he comes to see that this musical eccentric merits more than mere mockery.

The York Theatre Company (James Morgan, Producing Artistic Director) is the only theater in New York City – and one of very few in the world – dedicated to developing and fully producing new musicals, and preserving neglected, notable shows from the past. For more than three decades, York's intimate, imaginative style of producing both original and neglected classic musicals has resulted in critical acclaim and recognition from artists and audiences alike. More than 20 cast recordings from York Theatre Company productions are now available on CD, and commercial transfers of such York productions as Jolson & Company, Sweeney Todd, and Pacific Overtures have all showcased the importance of the York and its programs. Its most recent production, The Musical of Musicals – The Musical!, was developed in the York Theatre Company's Developmental Reading Series, where the current Tony Award-winning Broadway hit, Avenue Q, also started.

The design team comprises R. Michael Miller (scenic), Tracy Christiansen (costume), Ann Wrightson (lighting), and David Budries (sound). Souvenir will run on the following schedule: (no Thursday performances) Monday through Wednesday and Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m.

Wednesday and Saturday matinees at 2:30 p.m.; Sunday matinees at 3 p.m. Tickets are $55. Student tickets are available on the day of the performance for $20, subject to availability. Tickets are available at Smarttix.com, (212) 868-4444, or in person at the box office on the lower level at Saint Peter's, 619 Lexington Avenue (at 54th). More information: www.yorktheater.org.