Photo Flash: First Look at Penguin Rep Theatre's SOUVENIR

Penguin Rep Theatre, the award-winning professional Equity theatre under the leadership of founding artistic director Joe Brancato and executive director Andrew M. Horn, presents Souvenir by Stephen Temperley from August 10 through September 2 in Stony Point, New York.

Described by Mr. Brancato as "a comedy with big laughs - and an even bigger heart," Souvenir is the story of Florence Foster Jenkins, wealthy socialite and real-life figure who became famous for her singing, as told affectionately by her longtime accompanist Cosme McMoon.

Souvenir is directed by Stephen Nachamie and stars Jonas Cohen (as Cosme) and Deborah Jean Templin (as Florence). It replaces the previously announced The Complete History of Comedy (Abridged).

Mr. Cohen has performed regionally throughout the country at such theatres as the Walnut Street Theatre, Portland Stage Company, Barrington Stage, Great Lakes Theater Festival, Idaho Shakespeare Festival, Capital Rep and Arkansas Rep.

Ms. Templin's acting credits include the National Tours of Mamma Mia!, Titanic, Baby and Annie. Her plays Singing for the Cows and Unsinkable Women have played over 130 venues domestically and abroad.

Mr. Nachamie returns to Penguin Rep where he previously directed Buyer and Cellar, Becoming Dr. Ruth, My Name is Asher Lev and Rounding Third. On Broadway, he was associate director of She Loves Me.

The limited engagement of Souvenir will be performed at Penguin Rep Theatre located at 7 Crickettown Road in historic Stony Point (Rockland County), New York.

The production has scenic design by David Goldstein, costume design by Heather Carey, lighting design by Todd Wren, sound design by Matt Otto, with casting by Cindi Rush.

Performance days and times are: Thursday evenings at 7:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday nights at 8:00 p.m., with matinees on Saturdays at 4:00 p.m. and Sundays at 2:00 p.m.

There is a weekday matinee Friday, August 10 at 2:00 p.m. Official opening is Sunday, August 12 at 2:00 p.m. when the audience is invited to join the cast and crew for cake and coffee after the performance. On Friday, August 17, there will be a discussion among the actors and audience following the show. Before the 4:00 p.m. show on Saturday, August 18, there will be a complimentary tasting catered by Rockland Roots.

Penguin's intimate, 108-seat theatre is a repurposed 1880's hay barn, and offers air-conditioning, wheelchair accessible entrance, rest rooms and seating, and plenty of free parking.

Tickets to Souvenir are priced at $46 (including facility fee and service charge). Discounts are available for groups of 10 or more and young people (30 and under).

"The joint is jumpin' in August," says Mr. Brancato, who also announced that Penguin's popular Play With Your Food series of readings of new plays with a bite to eat will conclude on Monday, August 13 with It's Not About the Cat by Jacey Powers. A drama with humor and heart, It's Not About the Cat follows a precocious nine-year-old and a quirky "feline behavior expert" as they deliver humor and compassion to a couple after a family tragedy.

Lynch's Restaurant of Stony Point will provide food at 6:30 p.m., and the reading will commence at 7 p.m., followed by a discussion among the actors, author and audience.

Mr. Brancato also announced a special "pop-up" presentation: On Sunday, August 19 at 7 p.m., Penguin will present Patti Issues and Bad With Money, two-one act plays written and performed by Ben Rimalower.

It's Broadway diva Patti LuPone to the rescue of a young boy with a chaotic family life in Patti Issues, which Mr. Brancato describes as a funny and tender coming-of-age story. In Bad With Money, Rimalower charts his oft-times hilarious struggle to overcome his problems with money - or get rich trying.

To order tickets or for further information, visit Penguin Rep's website at www.penguinrep.org or call 845-786-2873.

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