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Standing Room Only set to step into the spotlight By SANNE SPECHT,Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By SANNE SPECHT,Mail Tribune Posted Jul. 21, 2005 at 2:00 AM Updated Feb 16, 2011 at 10:23 AM By SANNE SPECHT,Mail Tribune Posted Jul. 21, 2005 at 2:00 AM Updated Feb 16, 2011 at 10:23 AM » Social News Community theater company's enthusiasm infuses production of 'Once Upon a Mattress' — Broadway's next Stephen Sondheim, Sarah Brightman or Twyla Tharp might be honing their craft in a Central Point-based community theater group, says its director, Lindsay Darneille. They are a truly, truly amazing group of young people, says Darneille. And we want people to know we are a viable entity in the theater community. Standing Room Only (formerly Central Point Teen Actors) is Darneille's group of performers ranging in age from 9 to 21. The group has grown over the past three years from a core of Central Point High School kids who just wanted to put on plays, says Darneille, to include members from Gold Hill, Medford and Ashland. Energy! calls Darneille, as the group begins its dress rehearsal for today's opening night performance of Mary Rodgers' musical, Once Upon A Mattress. The play originally featured Carol Burnett, and is based upon the fairytale The Princess and the Pea. — Just offstage, standing near the colorful, teetering stack of 20 mattresses, is Darneille's 19-year-old granddaughter, Aspen Gerten. The young actress is back in town after spending last year working in Hollywood, she says. Gertenplays the indomitable Princess Winnifred ' and tried to avoid taking an impromptu pratfall due to her costume's trailing moat weeds. Center stage stands Aaron Rushton, 19. He sings the story as the narrative Minstrel. And he does it with the voice of an angel and the attitude of a Casanova, says Darneille. In this group, cast members not only sing, dance and act in multiple parts, they also create their own costumes, and provide their own musical direction and choreography. Julia Edgerton, 19, created her feathered costume for her character's nightingale solo ' which is sung in bird, she says. It's full-on yellow marabou, says Edgerton. Fifteen-year-old Cailey McCandless is the choreographer for the play, set in the 14th century. The St. Mary's High School student is also the daughter of Craterian Executive Director Stephen McCandless. McCandless says cast members ' dancing in flowing robes and towering pointy hats ' have been quick to pick up their steps. They just need a few tips for executing perfect jetes. Unlike McCandless, most haven't been dancing since age five. Cleaning up technique has been challenging, said McCandless. Aaron Keys Blenkush, 19, says the position of musical director snuck up on him. Conscripted to play the piano by his 18-year-old girlfriend, Christine Clark ' who plays the careening, cartwheeling, gender-neuter jester ' Blenkush found himself a bit overwhelmed when tossed the director's mantle. But Darneille says she noticed the cast was soon singing tight harmonies, which she hadn't taught. He was doing more and more for us, said Darneille. This is the third musical Keys has conducted. This time he is tickling the ivories of a & 36;40,000 grand piano the group is working to pay off with fundraising bake sales, car washes and can drives. Blenkush says 10 percent of the play's profits will go toward the piano bill. Blenkush created arrangements that fit the abilities of these performers. The group says his easygoing nature helps their confidence. 'That could be better,' is the worst thing he ever says, said Jesse Beckman, with a grin. Beckman, 18, is playing Gerten's love interest, Prince Dauntless ' a part his father played, once upon a time. If you go What : Once Upon A Mattress, presented by Standing Room Only (formerly Central Point Teen Actors) When : 8 p.m. today, Friday and Saturday Where : The new Crater High School auditorium, 4410 N. Rogue Valley Blvd., Central Point. Tickets : Tickets, available at the door, are & 36;8 for adults, & 36;5 for students and seniors. By SANNE SPECHT,Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By SANNE SPECHT,Mail Tribune Posted Jul. 21, 2005 at 2:00 AM Updated Feb 16, 2011 at 10:23 AM » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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