‘Marmalade’ playwright returning to SCR

Tom Titus

Noah Haidle received a lot of attention -- and more than a few gasps

-- when his provocative play “Mr. Marmalade� made its world premiere

at South Coast Repertory last season.

Whether you loved the play or hated it, you had to admit it was

different -- and imaginative. Imagination, in fact, was a major

factor in this adult fantasy centered on children.

So, South Coast Repertory audiences will have an idea of what to

expect when Haidle returns later this season with his latest venture,

“Princess Marjorie,� another world premiere. It replaces “The Root of

Love,� an adaptation of Machiavelli’s “The Mandragola� by its

prospective director, David Chambers.

Chambers will instead stage “Princess Marjorie,� which is

described as an adult comedy centering on two highly imaginative

brothers. Reflecting on teen romances gone awry, they fantasize about

the object of their affection, once so innocent and perfect, until

she returns for a visit -- all grown up.

Haidle, a 2001 graduate of Princeton University, has been a busy

scribe. “Princess Marjorie� will be his third play to receive a world

premiere in less than a year -- “Princess Marjorie� and “Mr.

Marmalade� being joined by “Bag and Bone,� which opens in February in

New Haven, Conn. He’s also working on a commission from another

theater and on a samurai movie.

“Princess Marjorie� will open March 11 on the Julianne Argyros

Stage and will run through March 27.

*

Orange Coast College is gearing up for its annual holiday

festivities, featuring a production entitled “An Old-Fashioned

Christmas Melodrama and Ice Cream Social,� which opens next weekend

in the school’s Drama Lab Theater.

Rick Golson is directing the annual show, which will feature an

evening of music, vaudeville acts, a holiday sing-along and the

college’s traditional holiday melodrama. The production is a G-rated

event for the entire family.

Those in attendance will be treated to a free ice cream favor.

There also will be a visit from Santa Claus, so parents are advised

to bring their cameras.

Advance tickets, priced at $8, are on sale in the bursar’s office,

adjacent to the Student Center. Tickets will be sold at the door for

$10. Reservations are being taken at (714) 432-5880.

* TOM TITUS reviews local theater for the Daily Pilot. His reviews

appear Fridays.