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Artscene Oakville Beaver · WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 10, 2007 By Krissie Rutherford OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF 29 Young actors relish bringing roaring twenties family to life A dysfunctional family in 1920s Oklahoma takes the stage in the latest Burl-Oak Theatre Group production: The Pulitzer Prize-winning drama, The Dark at the Top of the Stairs. A husband accused of being unfaithful, a daughter who's constantly sulking, a son whose only friends are pictures of Hollywood stars and a wife who's constantly fighting with her other half: meet the Flood family. "They're definitely troubled," said a smiling 19-year-old Katie Park, who plays the sulking Reenie Flood. Park is one of a number of younger members included in the nine-person cast, set to open the show tomorrow at the Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts. Written by playwright William Inge, The Dark at the Top of the Stairs looks at the middle-class family's struggles through employment, marriage, children and relatives with the background of the political, social and industrial change of the 1920s. "It's cool to go so far back, because our generation sort of only sees things from the 1960s and 70s on," Park said during a break from a recent rehearsal. "The language is so different ­ they say things like `Gee wiz' and York University acting graduate Catherine Fitzgerald plays Cora Flood, the mother, while Katie Park's actual dad, Andrew, plays the Flood father, Rubin. "The story is about the family. The father leaves, so it's how the kids and mom deal with what happens," Byers explained. "I don't deal with the problem at all. If anything, I might make it worse." An example of that is Byers' favourite part: "My temper tantrum," he said, smiling. "I get (upset) because I can't go to the party, so I just throw myself on the floor and start banging my arms and legs." Also contributing to comic relief in a play that tackles many serious issues are two characters in particular: Lottie Lacey, the loudmouthed, outspoken aunt played by Cher Guest and Flirt Conroy, who is "quite a tease," according to 16-year-old Carling Tedesco. "I come in once every act and shake things up with the family," said Tedesco. "Flirt's main role is to hook Reenie up with a blind date, which turns out to be pretty important in the play. "You'll have to come see the play to find out why," the St. Mildred's-Lightbourn student added with a grin. Reenie's date ­ Sammy Goldenbaum ­ is LIESA KORTMANN / OAKVILLE BEAVER FIRST DATE: In this scene from the Burl-Oak production of The Dark at the Top of the Stairs, Sammy Goldenbaum (David Di Marco), left, has just been introduced to his blind date, Reenie Flood (Katie Park, in white). Reenie's best friend, Flirt Conroy (Carling Tedesco) and her mother, Cora (Catherine Fitzgerald), look on, while her little brother, Sonny (Cameron Byers), sulks in the background. `Come on, kid' ­ it's really funny." "It feels quite weird to get all this hair and costumes and stuff done," added Cameron Byers, an E.J. James student making his BurlOak debut. The 12-year-old plays Sonny Flood, Reenie's younger brother, who, he says, is "a brat to my sister." See Play page 30 the phone book h as of f ic i a l ly e v olv e d . directories have changed. so should your directory advertising. Business Memberships Starting From $36/month For more information on how can help grow your business, call 310-GOLD or email: sales@goldbook.ca brought to you by: John Polidoro Plumbway, Plumbing and Drain Cleaning Gold Club Member Directory Commercials Talking Directory Character Free Website & Update Service Rewards Points & Newspaper Offers Print Directory 00:00:20