How impolitic of me. I laughed at some very bad singing. After spending decades trying never to respond to questionable intonation, I let loose and found it OK. The audience and I laughed in concert to the most awful sounds ever to emanate from a stage; well, since before ragtime turned to jazz.

She had been called the Dire Diva of Din. An album of her soprano arias, released after her death, was titled, "Murder on the High Cs." She couldn't carry a tune if it were tied to her garish wardrobe and held there with buttons and glue. Though she was all of that, and more, real life socialite Florence Foster Jenkins managed a 32-year music career singing to sold-out venues, performing at Carnegie Hall, and even having her off-key musical impossibles incarcerated on a number of record albums. Thankfully, the wonder and joy of Ms. Jenkins' appeal has been captured on stage in San Jose Repertory's delightful production of "Souvenir." Directed by R. Hamilton Wright, and starring Patti Cohenour (as Jenkins) and Mark Anders (Cosme McMoon, her pianist), "Souvenir" is both generous and pleasing.

The story highlights Jenkins' unconditional belief in her ability to sing, a belief that constantly collides and crashes against reality, and her relationship with trusted accompanist Cosme McMoon. For all her bravado and certainty, Jenkins was tone deaf. That she sang with an assured conviction and gusto delighted her friends and fans. It seems the more she caterwauled, the more people

clamored to hear. Cole Porter, who was a regular at her recitals, was reported to have pounded a cane against his foot to prevent himself from laughing out loud.

Cohenour presents Jenkins so naturally, so wonderfully awful that we become engaged and attached to her presence, even while being repelled by her screech. Cohenour consumes the role. She flowed from one awful aria to another, from one enthusiastic misguided musical embrace to the next. On the journey we begin to understand McMoon's dilemma. Of her determination to sing he offered, "Was she merely resolute or just plain crazy, I don't know." Neither did the public. Some believed the joke was on Jenkins. Others thought she was the jokester pranking the public. One thing is true. Only Jenkins knew for sure.

"Souvenir" isn't just about Jenkins' brutal assault on our auditory senses. Though she vivisects Verdi, mashes Mozart, buries Brahms, and steps on Strauss, she also appeals to a warm heart. The story is about the kindred and caring relationship Jenkins and McMoon share. Knowing music, McMoon could have cut her to the quick, prevented her from approaching the stage. But he chose to help and support her instead. In a way, he becomes her enabler. Some questioned why she did it. He questioned himself. "Why did I?" McMoon allows us to see the world of Madame Flo through his eyes. And we're delighted.

Anders begins the show reminiscing, as McMoon's, about his experience playing for Jenkins; being astounded at her lack of attractive sound, of Jenkins unwavering and total belief in her success, and his coming to grips with her audience acceptance. We see in Anders everything McMoon had to be; an accomplished pianist, a vocal artist, an actor, and a friend.

Be brave and listen to the real Ms. Jenkins in action she's breathtaking. Then listen to Ms. Cohenour. You can only appreciate the accuracy of Cohenour's portrayal. It takes a wonderful vocal talent to sing so badly. Or, as Jenkins, one that is oblivious of talent.

The story of Florence Foster Jenkins is uplifting, really. She was as sincere as she was resolute. She wasn't put off but those of lesser opinions. Jenkins was such a gentle, believable person that her audiences, not wishing to hurt her feelings, would hide their derision inside their ample applause. Cohenour captures the essence of Jenkins. She was bad. She was musically clueless. She was sincere and she was loved.

You may think you've prepared yourself for that first note, but its awfulness will still grab you and thrash you. And it's near impossible not to laugh. The story of Jenkins is lighthearted and real. The Rep provides a fine evening of story telling. Go and enjoy.

For the strong hearted, you may download a Jenkins aria as a ring-tone from the Internet. You may also find surviving samples from her albums using an Internet search engine.

"Souvenir" plays at the San Jose Rep through April 20. The theater is located at 101 Paseo De San Antonio, San Jose. For box office and reservation information, call 367-7255.

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W. Fred Crow is a local music director and frequent attendee of the arts. Contact him at wfredcrow@yahoo.com.