Mr. Marmalade, portrayed by Matt Christensen, is the imaginary friend of 4-year-old Lucy, played by Kendall Bruton, in “Mr. Marmalade” at The Empty Space Theatre. Photo by Kayleigh Peaker

By Thomas G. Robinson, Marketing Director for The Empty Space Theatre

From the publishers’ synopsis: Lucy is a four-year-old girl with a very active imagination due to always being left home alone while her mother enjoys her one-night-stands. Unfortunately, her imaginary friend Mr. Marmalade doesn’t have much time for her as well. Not to mention he beats up his personal assistant, has a cocaine addiction, and has a penchant for pornography. The only real friend Lucy has is Larry, the youngest suicide attempt in the history of New Jersey. Follow Lucy’s journey, as she finds out who her true imaginary friend is in “Mr. Marmalade,” a savage dark comedy about what it takes to grow up in these difficult times. Mr. Marmalade is written by Noah Haidle.

* * *

I had a chance to talk to Michael Pawloski, director of The Empty Space Theatre’s production of “Mr. Marmalade” (opening Friday, Feb. 19) and newly appointed Artistic Director of Late Night Productions at the theater. I asked him the following:

Tell me about “Mr. Marmalade” and why you wanted to direct it?

My style of shows that I love to direct the most is dark comedies. I love serious topics, that maybe people do not like to talk about, and putting a spin on them by making them funny. I think people nowadays need to have a sense of humor about life and not be so serious all the time.

I wanted to direct “Mr. Marmalade” because not only is it written in the style that I love, but it deals with issues I see every day as a social worker. I’m getting my masters in social work at Cal State, so I learn about child neglect, physical and drug abuse, domestic abuse, and the attachment theory (just to name a few) that the play touches on that I believe I’m probably the best director in town to direct a show like this. And because I have a sick, crazy, and out-there personality, it makes sense that this show spoke to me.

Why did you choose to produce this at The Empty Space?

I love the Empty Space. … But especially I love black box theater the most. When I started doing theater at Cal State, I loved doing shows in their black box/arena theater because it is much more intimate with the audience.

What does the play mean to you and why? Is it different producing something for late night than prime time, if so, what?

The play, to me, is about a little girl who wants a friend that does not leave her. She wants some form of attachment and stability from someone who is not going to always leave her alone to fend for herself.

OMG! Late night shows fit me the best. You can get away with more stuff at a late night show. If you want nudity or intense bloody domestic abuse type scenes you can go for it and it is no big deal; it’s a late night show.

Is there a special scene or part in the play that touches you more than the others? If so, why?

I think all of the six scenes touch me in a way I like to be touched! Some are dramatic and make me feel uncomfortable to watch and others make me run to the bathroom before I pee my pants. (So far I had to do that two times!) However, I do love the “Awwwww” moments, so the end of scene three and six make me do that. … And who wouldn’t want to say that after being touched!

* * *

This show has some fine actors involved with it. One of the lead characters, Mr. Marmalade, is played by Matt Christensen (last seen as Sidekick in “Super Villain”). He says he wanted the role because it was such a dark character and, while he’s used to doing a more risqué style of comedy, he’s usually playing the straight man. He added that the opportunity to actually play someone who is behind so much of the truly reprehensible things that occur in the play was something he really looked forward to doing.

I asked Matt who or what he studied to create this character.

“For the role, I’ve mostly drawn upon things I’ve witnessed in my life. Am I saying that I’ve seen a lot of really bad things? I guess so. Probably the hardest thing I have to do in the play is pretend like I’m being nice to Lucy,” he said. “I personally have no problem being nice, but the character of Mr. Marmalade is never genuinely nice. As sincere as he seems, there is always something lying underneath that exterior and that takes a little more on my part than if I was just nice.”

Playing the lead character in this play is Kendall Bruton. She plays Lucy, the four-year-old who only wants the attention her mother never gives her. I asked her why she wanted this role.

“I wanted to push myself as an actress. For only being four years old, Lucy is an extremely complex person. You never know what to expect from her and I needed this character in order to portray the same when I perform. She ultimately helped me escape out of this box that was slowly being placed around me,” she said.

When asked if working in this play was too weird, she said, “Absolutely! This play is weird and I love every minute of it. I believe weirdness is more enjoyable than being ‘normal’ and since joining this cast, my level of insanity has tripled and my love for good old clean comedy has disappeared.”

Kendall said she stalked a few kids around the playgrounds and grocery stores to prepare for the role, but their parents didn’t seem to mind too much because she was sort of like a “free long-distance babysitter.” She added, “Character building and challenging myself to eliminate all those adult rules that I’ve been so accustomed to were also great tools.”

She then said she created an imaginary friend and talked to “him” in public, “(watching) the reactions of random people. Now that was fun!”

Mr. Marmalade also stars Thomas G. Robinson, Angela Poncetta, Roscoe Myrick, Amy Hall, Mike Bedard, Sarah Purdy, Devin Martin and Bob Kempf.

This Empty Space Theatre late-night production opens Friday, Feb. 19 at 11 p.m. (after “First Kisses”) and continues Feb. 20, 26 and 27. Admission is $5.

The Empty Space is located at 706 Oak Street (behind Pizzaville). To make reservations, call 327-PLAY or go to www.esonline.org for more information.