Denton — Who hasn't wanted to explore the dark imagination of a disturbingly precocious and over-stimulated 4-year-old? Sundown Collaborative Theatre satisfies that curiosity down a rabbit-hole of creepiness with an assured production of Noah Haidle's Mr. Marmalade, directed by David Hanna.
Lucy, the aforementioned child (played by adult actress Tashina Richardson), has been relegated to the shabby living room of the dwelling she shares with her neglectful and distracted single mom. Lucy’s active imagination brings visitors to alleviate her boredom, primarily in the form of the madly inappropriate title character Mr. Marmalade (Nick Caldwell). This playmate is an overworked, coked-up, porn-addicted businessman with alcohol and violence issues.
One wonders to which media and/or adult situations Lucy has been exposed to beget such a "friend."
Lucy encounters a slightly more suitable real comrade in Larry (Robert Linder), 5, the younger brother of her over-sexed and under-caring babysitter’s boyfriend. Larry is infamous for being New Jersey’s youngest suicide attempt and comes from a dysfunctional background that can't be too different from Lucy's. There is an awkward game of "doctor" that includes some riotously improper "wrestling," and a sweetly played-out version of "house" that eventually turns sour and unsatisfying to Lucy. Unfortunately, she is drawn back into Mr. Marmalade’s macabre world, centered on some therapy-speak promises of redemption and sobriety.
Predictably, their subsequent version of "house" follows a script of Jerry Springer mixed with Law & Order: SVU.
Sundown’s exuberant interpretation of the play does much to mask Haidle’s hollow script. A great deal of bleak pathos is mixed with outrageous adult humor from overly precious mouthpieces. Having pre-K tots spout off perfectly timed and jaded quips, delivered in a salty manner, elicits laughter—but at what cost? So much vacant comic relief for such dark subject matter keeps the audience off-balance, never knowing when to really laugh, over-laugh or just laugh inappropriately. It’s an unruly romp, but what is the ultimate message? Are we to look to the children, censor popular media, support single mothers, distrust the imagination or all of the above?
Happily for Sundown, telling a story in an engaging way trumps a problematic script. This passionate group of young artists has created a compelling world and a non-self-conscious enthusiasm for the material. Sundown Collaborative Theatre prides itself on artistic innovation and providing a "visceral experience" that should provoke thought and discussion. They have made an honest connection with the twisted story of Lucy and her imagination. Admittedly, the players' youth gives way to an earnest zeal that translates well.
As Lucy, Richardson has the difficult task of carrying the play, and she's a big part of why this production works so well. She throws herself into the role with natural abandon, taking on the near-impossible task of inhabiting the mind and persona of a young child without coming off as cartoonish or as a saccharine caricature. Her commitment to the role is never in question.
Linder handles a slightly different aspect of the childhood experience as Larry, bringing a calm, if damaged, kindness to the fray. Caldwell’s embodiment of Mr. Marmalade is chilling and delightfully nuanced. The way deftly moves between benignly charming to frighteningly malevolent is something to behold. The rest of the cast does a yeoman’s job in fulfilling their roles skillfully and sharing that same ardent commitment to capital "A" Art. The hilarious props and costumes, by Cody Lucas and Diana Hanna respectively, are spot on.
Director Hanna’s gripping interpretation of a promising yet flawed script shows that, indeed, the kids are all right. 
