Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current | View Entire Issue (April 18, 2015)
10 A SIUSLAW NEWS ❚ SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 2015 Swamp girl outsmarts Machiavellian mom ‘Once Upon a Mattress’ Review B Y B URNEY G ARELICK R ather than enter the cas- tle across the draw- bridge like a normal vis- itor, Princess Winnifred the Woebegone, from the distant dismal swamp, swims the moat, the quickest way to apply for the princess position and acquire the Happily Ever After everyone always talks about. It’s a spectacular entrance in this classic Broadway musical comedy, “Once Upon A Matt- ress,” debuting in 1959 on the Great White Way, revived countless times on stage and adapted for the big screen. Comic genius Carol Burnett first nailed the role of Winnifred and, about 50 years later, she grew into the role of Queen Aggravain in this wacky story of love and marriage and mothers and sons, but no psy- chology, politics, or socio-eco- nomic overtones are embedded under the mattress. The show’s witty words and saucy score sparkle with the magic of Broadway. Suitable for kids of all ages, CROW (Children’s Repertory of Oregon Workshops), Florence’s youth theater, cap- tured the show’s laughter and song with uncommon expertise. The April 10 to 12 produc- tion at the Florence Events Center was brilliant — includ- ing four dozen kids talented beyond their years, uncompli- cated yet evocative castle sets, a mile-high stack of mattresses, colorful and fanciful costumes and meticulously coordinated choreography. Extraordinary recorded mus- ic complemented the actors and maintained high-octane energy for a breezy run of about two hours. Directed by professional pedigreed performers Melanie Heard and Jason Wood, the CROW kids got it. Like percep- tive princes and princesses able to sense the pestilence of the pea, the CROW kids understand the elements of theater and what makes a great show. While every member of the company, including the seven tiny telegrammers, is to be applauded, certain actors must be singularly acknowledged. Hilarious Tristin Reber must have channeled Carol Burnett to create the role of Queen Agg- ravain. The aggravating queen is the prospective mother-in- law from hell, unwilling to approve any woman to marry her son, Prince Dauntless, played by Cameron Utz. Many women audition for the role of Dauntless’s princess, taking arduous tests and failing according to the Queen’s com- mand. Mother knows best at any cost, without regard for the kingdom’s lords and ladies anx- ious to marry but unable to tie their knots until Prince Daunt- less marries. His name implies he is fear- less and brave, and he is ami- able and affable, but Prince Dauntless is neither fearless nor brave. He is, however, a good, obedient son. He hopes his mother will find him a princess, but he doesn’t push the enve- lope or make demands. Utz carried the role with nat- ural comic flair, singing with boundless enthusiasm, dancing with disarming delight, falling to his knees to plead with his mom, and cautiously falling in love with Princess Winnifred. Though she sings the “Shy” song, Fred, as Princess Winni- fred likes to be called, is no shrinking violet. She’s fearless and brave and more than equal to every man and woman; she sings, dances, drinks and lifts weights without peer. Paula Garcia was a perfect fit, never missing a beat and projecting a wide-ranging, art- iculate voice and nifty improvi- sational skills when necessary. Those falling bloomers in the Saturday afternoon per- formance looked like a scripted act! As for the King’s speech, it wasn’t. The Silent King had been muted by his domineering, hen-pecking wife, like a hawk who duct-taped his mouth and turned him into a mouse. Kristopher Keppol as the king was very funny, signing and gesturing a song with his pals, the plucking Minstrel and the tumbling Jester, and later signing “The Man To Man Talk” with his bridegroom son, Prince Dauntless, who was finally en route to the altar. Sir Harry and Lady Larken, the serious young lovers itching to marry, provided a sweet con- trast to Dauntless and Fred. Had there been any dragons to slay, Sir Harry would have been the man. Timothy Jones and Hannah Bartlett were picture-perfect sweethearts; all that was miss- ing was a balcony and a solilo- quy. Jones’s dreamy, passionate voice was noted with pleasure. “Once Upon A Mattress” was as much fun in 2015 as it was in 1959. Great Broadway shows weather well. The future of theater is in capable hands with CROW, especially since the organiza- tion has just purchased its own roost in Florence. As time goes by, the CROWs will fly away to other stages, but new CROWs will take their places because the show must go on. That’s something to crow about. Brought to you by this newspaper in partnership with PUBLIC NOTICES Always in your newspaper: Now in your inbox, too. Community Chorus awards three scholarships On March 3, Siuslaw High School students auditioned in front of adjudicators Laura Merz, Crystal Farnsworth, Sandy Vaccaro and Jan Kinslow as a requirement to receive a Community Chorus of Florence Oregon scholar- ship. Two senior students, Elizabeth Wartnik and David Johnston, were awarded $1,000 each to be used to further their music education. Wartnik plans to attend George Fox University, where she will major in vocal per- formance and music composi- tion. She hopes to continue her education in a graduate pro- gram at the University of Oregon and prepare for a career teaching vocal performance and composition. Johnston will be attending the University of Oregon, where he will major in music and dance. He plans a career in vocal music and choral con- ducting. Wartnik and Johnston will be singing solos at the next Community Chorus concert. Junior student Nikita Williams will receive $500 toward her tuition at a music camp such as the Bach Festival. Each spring, the Community Chorus offers scholarships to area students who will be pur- suing higher education in the vocal arts. R ene w r o e b i Tod cr s to the b ay Su Siuslaw News AN D BE A N I W ENTERED TO $100 Gift Certificate from The Community Chorus Concert will be held on Sunday, May 3, at 2 p.m., at the Florence Event Center (FEC). The Flotones will make a special guest appearance and the Siuslaw Children’s Choir will debut at the evening’s Hooray for Hollywood concert. Tickets for adults can be pur- chased for $15 at the FEC, 715 Quince St., or by calling 541- 997-1994. There is no charge for children under age 18. I f n o b o d y k n o w s w h a t ’ s g o i n g o n , n o b o d y c a n d o a n y t h i n g a b o u t i t . That Th T h at at’s ’ s w hy ’s y w e ke e ep e p sa s ay a y in ing g y ourr l loc ocal al and s ta tate te g ovv er e nm m en n t shou sh h ou o u l ld d k eep e e p ee p u bl pu b is ishi hing ng g t the heir ir p pub ub b lil i c no noti ticess in n t the he n newsp spap aper er.. No N o w yo you o u ca c an st t ay a y i inf n for nf o rm or me d AND med me AN N D k ee e p th h o s e pu pub b l icc n ot o t ic c es e s in th t h e n e ws ne w pa p a pe p er. r J Ju u st t go to o p u ub b li i cn n ot o tic t i ceads ds.com ds o /o /or, sig gn u up p f for or t h he e f fr re r e e Sm m a ar r t tS S e ea a rc r c h se e rvic rvv ic c e, e , an nd ge get e t al a l l o of f t hi hiss p pa a pe e r r’ ’ s pu bl b lic l ic i c n not ottic i es s del d el e iv i er ered ed t o you yo o u vi v i a em m ai ail.l publicnoticeads.com/or IT’S OUR 100TH ANNIVERSARY & W E ’ R E H AV I N G A PARTY! SIUSLAW PUBLIC LIBRARY DISTRICT MAY 7th, 6-8pm AT T H E F L O R E N C E L I B R A R Y, 1 4 6 0 9 t h S T A CHAMBER AFTER HOURS E V E RYON E I S W E LCO M E TO J O I N I N ! We’re not a shop, we are a shopping experi experience! ence! www.onyourfeetwithasplash.com Basic Plan – $18 every 10-weeks (20 issues) Annual Plan - $71 -52 weeks (104 issues) (includes E-edition) 1) Call 541-997-3441 2) Mail PO Box 10 Florence OR 97439 Call or mail this form today! Name: ____________________________________ Address ___________________________________ __________________________________________ Phone number: _____________________________ e-mail address for e-edition: __________________ Amount: _________________ Check#___________ CC# ______________________________________ Exp:________ Security Code: __________________ F REE: W INE, APPETIZERS, LIVE MUSIC, D OOR PRIZES, SCAVENGER HUNT, STOP BY TO C HECK OUT F UN! T HE LIBRARY A ND GET YOUR PHOTO TAKEN WITH THE G IANT LIBRARY CARD… THANK YOU FOR 100 YEARS May 7, 1915 - May 7, 2015