FORT MYERS — Horrendous noise pours out over the stage time and time again during Theatre Conspiracy's latest show. Someone can't sing. Not only can't she sing - the sound she produces might charitably be described as two cats engaged in a mating ritual while being backed by a garbage disposal. This is "Glorious!" the mostly true story of Florence Foster Jenkins, "the first lady of the sliding scale," later described as the worst singer in the world.

Jenkins, freed from the demands of talent by an inheritance from her wealthy father, became famous for her utter inability to carry a note past her lips. Nine of her arias are available on YouTube; they reveal almost no sense of pitch, rhythm, tone or voice control. The self-professed diva hand-picked her audiences and was adored more for the entertainment she provided than any real talent.

The play, written by Peter Quilter, induces riotous laughter from start to finish. Leo Wolfe as Cosme McMoon, the shaky soprano's pianist, outright steals the show. Wolfe, who tickles his own ivories throughout the night, seems to enjoy being in on the joke as much as the audience is - and lets it come through in his performance. The wide-eyed "please help me, she can't really be this bad can she?" quality to Wolfe's performance whenever Jenkins sings adds an extra tickle to the show. The scene where a shocked Cosme - and the audience - first hears the dulcet dump truck brings howls.

McGee plays her Florence with less of the bold defiance I'd expect and more as a loopy space case. I wish either she or director Bill Taylor had devised more of an air of outrageous showmanship for Florence's performance scenes, akin perhaps to a Dame Edna concert. McGee plays the rat-a-tat comedy scenes well though; her oblivious deadpan replies to even the most snide barbs draws laughs.

June Koc triples as a maid, confidante and society villianess. Of the three, her adoring friend proves the most compelling character. Poured into a slinky purple dress (complete with red hat), she muses on the fact that Florence represents the fulfillment of the hopes and dreams of everyone who always sought glory.

Costumes from Diana Waldier and Wende Gilmore fall into two closets. The vintage gowns and suits are divine - but the Spanish costume and angel outfit (complete with halo) McGee wears during Jenkins' performances scenes fall short of the diva's grandiose stature.

"Glorious!" serves as a paean to dreamers the world over. Florence didn't have any talent - but she strode brassily forth into the world and remade it in her image, to suit her dreams. As she said, "People may say that I cannot sing, but no one can say that I didn't sing!"

I can't sing. Not a lick. Not even in the shower! E-mail me, csilk@naplesnews.com, find me on Twitter at @napleschris or read my Stage Door theater blog.