My very quick Souvenir review

[Gothampc]

Posted: 12/2/05 at 2:04pm

Last night I saw Souvenir. Judy Kaye is marvelous as usual. Her co-star, Donald Corren, is great as well.

The trouble I have with the show is the writing. Once the situation is established and we learn about Florence, the first act really dies. It goes nowhere. I think about 15 minutes could be cut out of Act 1 without any problem. Act 2 is better with the Carnegie Hall recital. But the play as a whole never really comes together. The point of the show seems blurry.

And on a directorial note, I think it's a huge mistake to have that chair swing in and out all the time. It's less annoying if it's just left onstage.

[RecycledH20]

Posted: 12/3/05 at 1:57pm

I saw the show last night and loved it. Judy Kaye is just wonderful in this delightful piece of theatre.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 12/3/05 at 3:28pm

I was of the same opinion about the chair, Gotham, as I watched the show in the Lyceum. Sometime mid-performance, however, I realized the purupose. The chair moves on/off to distinguish present time (when Cosme is speaking to his unseen audience) and the past (when Cosme is with Mrs. F. in her apt.) The chair disappears off stage, too, when the set changes to the stage of Carnegie Hall (past).