Congrats to Grand Award Winners!

Photo by Eryn Kovach, video projection screen by David Kolenda

Actors’ Theatre would like to congratulate the entire Grand Rapids theatre community for their support and involvement in the 2010 Grand Awards.  Proceeds of this event go to scholarships for theatre students.  This year’s scholarship winners were Brian T. Martin, Luke Virkstis and Lizzy Sulkowski.  (Actors’ Theatre patrons will recognize Lizzy for her work with Living on the Edge and onstage in last year’s production of The Little Dog Laughed.)

Click here to see a complete list of the award winners.

On The Town: Stage Dives

On The Town Magazine featured Actors’ Mr. Marmalade in their Stage Dives section.  Be sure and check out the rest of the article on mlive.com!

Stage Dive: Actors’ Theatre presents Mr. Marmalade
By Katerie Prior | On-the-Town
January 26, 2010, 9:00AM

At some point in life, nearly every young child has an imaginary friend, but few are quite like Mr. Marmalade, the title character of the play at Actors’ Theatre this month.

(L-R front) Dylan Harris 23, Krystina Schripsema, 21, (L-R back) Tailor J. Piednente, 20, Ellie Gramer, 20, Jonathan Clausen, 37, Rob Karel, 23. Photo by Brian Forde.

Created by Lucy, an imaginative 4-year-old, Mr. Marmalade isn’t the cuddly teddy bear or glittery fairy godparent there to represent Lucy’s divorced and usually absent parents. Instead, Mr. Marmalade is a Blackberry-toting, cocaine-sniffing businessman. When Mr. Marmalade does have time to talk to Lucy, his discussions range from the worldly absurd to the darkly dysfunctional. But when a little boy named Larry starts coming over for playdates, Mr. Marmalade soon learns what Lucy means to him.

Written by East Grand Rapids native Noah Haidle, Mr. Marmalade was acclaimed when it opened off Broadway for its ability to mix dark comedy with the issue of neglect….

You can read the rest of the article here on www.mlive.com

Just two chances to see the show left!  February 5—6. Showtime is at 8 p.m. at Spectrum Theater, 160 Fountain NE. Tickets $22. Call 234-3946.

“Mr. Marmalade” in the Grand Valley Lanthorn

The Grand Valley Lanthorn recently featured an article on Actors’ Theatre’s production of Mr. Marmalade.  Be sure and read the rest of the article at www.Lanthorn.com

 

Jon Clausen in the title role of Mr. Marmalade

 

Mr. Marmalade entertains GR

By Nicolle Martin GVL Staff Writer
1/27/2010

Actors’ Theatre, Grand Rapids’ home for off-Broadway productions, will present the critically-acclaimed dark comedy Mr. Marmalade, written by East Grand Rapids-native Noah Haidle.

Managing Director Kyle Dutkiewicz has provided a synopsis for those unfamiliar with this twisted tale: “Lucy is a 4-year-old girl with a very active imagination. Unfortunately, her imaginary friend Mr. Marmalade doesn’t have much time for her. Not to mention he beats up his personal assistant, has a cocaine addiction and a penchant for pornography. Larry, her only real friend, is the youngest suicide attempt in the history of New Jersey.”

Michelle Urbane said she is thrilled to direct his first main stage show with Actors’ Theatre.

“Children absorb: they see and hear everything around them, and those observations manifest through their imaginations,” Urbane said. “Through their ‘child’s play’ we see their translation of life. It’s lovely, frightening, funny and thought-provoking.”…

Read the rest of the article here on www.Lanthorn.com!

Tickets are still available for Friday and Saturday, Feb. 5 & 6.  Showtime is 8PM.  Tickets can be purchased by calling the box office at 234-3946

Actors’ Theatre “Mr. Marmalade” in the Grand Rapids Press

Read the complete article on www.mlive.com

Former local playwright will see his Mr. Marmalade open at Spectrum Theater

By Sue Merrell | The Grand Rapids Press
January 24, 2010, 2:01PM

GRAND RAPIDS — Former local playwright Noah Haidle said he wrote Mr. Marmalade, because he was dating a girl who wanted a role wearing a tutu. But the resulting tale of childhood fantasy was soon gathering chuckles and criticism during its off-Broadway debut in New York’s Roundabout Theatre in 2005.

Noah Haidle, left a West Michigan born playwright, listens to Actors' Theatre director Michelle Urbane talk about his upcoming play, "Mr. Marmalade," during a cast discussion about the play at the Sazerac Lounge. Photo by T. J. Hamilton | The Grand Rapids Press

“I don’t like writing that tells you what to think,” the 31-year-old New Yorker said while visiting Grand Rapids in December. “I don’t have any particular insight to offer about the human experience. No message.”

Haidle, a 1997 graduate of East Grand Rapids High School, said he is more interested in engaging the audience’s imagination and making a connection.

“Something sacred happens when a group of people come together for live theater,” he said. “Some of my greatest experiences have happened in the theater. It’s a place for people to get outside their ordinary lives.”

“Mr. Marmalade,” which Actors’ Theatre will open on Thursday, certainly is outside ordinary lives…

Be sure and read the rest of the article on mlive.com

Please note: there are only 3 more performances of Mr. Marmalade!  Show times are Feb. 4-6 at 8 PM.  Call the box office at 234-3946 for tickets.

This Friday Night Only – “Mr. Marmalade” Talkback

If you missed last night’s ‘Scene In Between‘ at Schulers Books and Music, it was a fascinating round table conversation where actors and patrons discussed the issues in Mr. Marmalade, the character development, and their reactions to the show.  Viewpoints ranged from those who have kids, work with small children and those who just remember having imaginary friends of their own!

If you would like to be a part of the conversation – you’re in luck!  After this Friday night’s performance of Mr. Marmalade, join us for a talkback with the cast.  This is an opportunity to ask questions and get an in depth view of the play from the actors themselves.

Tickets are still available.  Call the box office at (616) 234-3946 or purchase your tickets online through www.actorstheatregrandrapids.com