Casting Announced For The Lyceum Premiere Of SOUVENIR – A FANTASIA ON THE LIFE OF FLORENCE FOSTER JENKINS

Casting is now complete for the Lyceum premiere of the charming and hilarious comedy Souvenir, playing from August 18 - August 26. Souvenir will be directed by BRUCE LONGWORTH (At the Lyceum: The Immigrant, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, The Miracle Worker, Arsenic and Old Lace and The Importance of Being Earnest). The production features April Woodall as Florence Foster Jenkins, and Paul Helm as her hapless accompanist, Cosmé McMoon.

Souvenir tells the true story of Florence Foster Jenkins, a wealthy socialite who became famous for trying to be an opera star, but Jenkins was blissfully unaware that she was completely tone deaf. Her accompanist, Cosmé McMoon, the narrator of the play, needs money, and thus he is willing to play for a woman who cannot sing to save her life. Both touching and hilarious, Souvenir takes the audience into Florence's world, finding there the beauty she'd heard in her head all along.

April Woodall returns to the Lyceum to play Florence Foster Jenkins. At the Lyceum, April has been seen in Mary Poppins, Into the Woods, Big, Little Women, Tom Sawyer, The Sound of Music, Arsenic and Old Lace, Damn Yankees, and A Christmas Carol for the past two seasons. Other regional credits include: Maine State Music Theatre, Fulton Theatre, American Theatre Group, Mill Mountain Theater, Little Theatre on the Square, Gateway Playhouse, and Bristol Riverside Theatre. April first performed Florence Foster Jenkins in "Souvenir" at the Cortland Repertory Theatre in 2011, then at the Center City Theatre Works in 2012, and again at Montgomery Theatre in 2014. She has appeared as a commentator in the 2016 documentary of Florence's life, "The Florence Foster Jenkins' Story", and has received two Best Actress nominations for her performances of Florence: one from the SALT Awards, and another from the Barrymore Awards.

Making his Lyceum debut, Paul Helm plays Cosmé McMoon. Paul has performed, directed and music directed with the Utah Shakespeare Festival, Florida Studio Theatre, Auburn Public Theater, Milwaukee Repertory Theater, Fireside Dinner Theatre, First Stage Children's Theater, Skylight Music Theatre, American Folklore Theatre, Gallery Players, Florentine Opera Company, Greenbrier Valley Theatre, Circa '21 Dinner Playhouse, Young Actors Guild, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, BucknellUniversity, Marquette University, and the UW-Platteville Heartland Festival. Paul was also a vocalist for Disney on Classic, a three-month symphony concert tour of Japan with the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra.

Scenic design is by Lyceum Theatre Resident Scenic Designer RYAN J. ZIRNGIBL. Mr. Zirngibl has designed many productions at The Lyceum including LES MISERABLES, A Christmas Carol, Million Dollar Quartet, Around the World in 80 Days, The King and I, and Fiddler on the Roof. Costume Designer RACHEL WAHL has worked as the assistant costume shop manager and Youth Tour Designer (The Paperbag Princess) at the Merry Go Round Playhouse. Resident Lighting Designer RANDY B. WINDER has designed over 100 Lyceum productions including Cats, A Christmas Carol, LES MISERABLES, Million Dollar Quartet, and The Fantasticks. CORBIN WHITE is the Sound Designer, TONY DEARING returns for his 26th year as Production Stage Manager and IVAN DARIO CANO returns for his third year as Assistant Stage Manager.

Single tickets for Souvenir are priced at $39.00 for adults. Senior, student and children discounts are available. Special Group Rates are available as well. Performances are August 18 - August 26, 2018, Evening performances are at 8pm and matinees are at 2pm. For tickets: www.lyceumtheatere.org, (660) 837-3311 x1, or in person at the Lyceum's box office at 114 High Street, Arrow Rock, MO 65320.

The Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre is a non-profit 501(c)(3), professional theatre located in the unique village of Arrow Rock, Missouri, a 19th century National Historic Landmark. The Lyceum has been entertaining audiences in the heart of Missouri for 58 years producing a variety of musicals, dramas and comedies. Each year, this 416 seat theatre attracts professional talent from across the country to produce an eight show season (June-December). Performers, designers, directors, and technicians take residence in Arrow Rock for five months to bring its patrons Broadway caliber productions throughout the summer. The Lyceum receives much needed support from the Missouri Arts Council.

The Lyceum Theatre is affiliated with Actors' Equity Association, the Union for Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States, and the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers.

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