“Mr. Marmalade” is a play about a 4-year-old.  And a cocaine addict.  As well as child suicide.  Oh, plus briefcases full of sex toys. Above all, “Mr. Marmalade” is a comedy. The play was originally performed off Broadway in 2005, with Michael C. Hall of “Dexter” fame in the title roll.

East Grand Rapids High School graduate, Noah Haidle wrote the script, which takes place in New Jersey. Some of Haidle’s plays have been set in Grand Rapids, including “Local Time,” which will open next spring in Chicago. In an interview with the Grand Rapids Press, Mr. Haidle said, “Grand Rapids is a different place in my head. James Joyce has Dublin; I have Grand Rapids. It’s my imaginary landscape.”

The plot of “Mr. Marmalade” follows Lucy, a four year old, and her imaginary friend, Mr. Marmalade, who has a penchant for cocaine. Lucy comes from a broken home, and the play attempts to show how children perceive and react to the world around them through her character.

Aquinas College junior Taylor John Piedmonte and ’09 graduate Rob Karel are both members of the small cast.

“Mr. Marmalade” opens Jan. 28, and will run for the next two weekends, with the final curtain on Feb. 6.

In light of the recent tragedy in Haiti, Actors’ is also running a fundraiser on the final night of dress rehearsal on Wednesday, Jan. 27. They will donate all proceeds from the rehearsal of Mr. Marmalade to the Haitian Relief Fund.  The box office opens at 7:00 p.m. and curtain is at 8:00 p.m. General admission is $5, and all proceeds collected will go directly to the Red Cross.

From more information about the show and ticket prices, go to the Actors’ Theater website, or call the box office at (616) 234-3946.