The COC Theatre Department will present playwright Noah Haidle’s dark comedy “Mr. Marmalade” for two weekends, March 21-29 at the Santa Clarita Performing Arts Center’s Black Box Theater.

“Mr. Marmalade” is a play about a lonely four-year-old girl named Lucy whose active imagination conjures up a troubled imaginary friend: Mr. Marmalade. With Mr. Marmalade’s presence in her life, as well as that of her only real-life suicidal friend Larry, Lucy learns that growing up in these difficult times is a bit of a bumpy ride.

“Not since Alice fell down the rabbit hole have we seen such a complicated and intrepid little girl as four-year-old Lucy,” said Randee Trabitz, the play’s director. “Lucy really hates being alone because her imagination can run wild, which to the delight of audiences, it does.”

The cast of “Mr. Marmalade” will be composed entirely of students from the COC theatre department, many of them making their debut on the college’s stage.

“The theatre department is excited to offer audiences an opportunity to see a production written by one of America’s best young playwrights and featuring an excellent all-student cast,” said Paul Wickline, chair of the COC theatre department and the play’s producer.

“Mr. Marmalade” opens at the Black Box Theater at 8 p.m. Friday, March 21-22 and at 8 p.m. March 27 to 29. A special matinee performance will take place at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 23.

Tickets for all performances are $10 for adults and $5 for students/seniors with an additional $2 service charge.

This production contains profanity and adult situations and is recommended for mature audiences only. Children under the age of 5 are not allowed in the theater.

More About the Cast

Rebecca Allen will be making her COC theatre debut in the role of “Lucy.” Allen has been in several local productions, such as the Saugus High School production of “After Juliet” and Repertory East Playhouse’s “Anne Frank.”

Tanner Burghardt is also making his COC theatre debut in the role of “Larry.” A member of the improv group “Sunny Side Up,” Burghhardt has appeared in several Saugus High School productions, including “Guys & Dolls,” “After Juliet” and “Fools.”

After performing his solo show “Three Men” at “Solopalooza” last spring, Judge Boothby is returning to the COC stage in the role of “Mr. Marmalade.” Boothby has studied improvisation at The Groundlings Theatre and has performed in several Comedians of the Canyons shows.

Full cast list:

* Rebecca Allen – Lucy

* Joel Beaver – George

* Judge Boothby – Mr. Marmalade

* Tanner Burghardt – Larry

* Tyler Menjivar – Bradley

* Tiffany Smith – Emily

* Robert Stos – Bob

* Justin William Suhr…Cactus

* Bailey Vlach – Sookie

For more information about “Mr. Marmalade” or to purchase tickets, visit www.canyonsPAC.com or call 661-362-5304.