I f*cking love Mustard
No apologies for my NSFW-titled review of Mustard, now playing at 25th St Theatre. If profanity makes you uncomfortable, this play wasn’t written for you. Or, perhaps it was! The script offers ideal immersion therapy, because there certainly is a lot of swearing. Then again, if said swearing is done by an imaginary friend, who’s to say it counts as real? Mustard, much like its condiment namesake, is complex.
Written by indie theatre darling Kat Sandler, Mustard tells the story of a teen girl whose imaginary friend (Mustard) never left. When he suddenly becomes visible to her mom… and they start dating… things get challenging. The play explores ideas of letting go, love, and maturity. And friends, it is HILARIOUS.
Fair warning, it’s dark at times, too. But overarchingly, your laughter will overcome the sad and dare I say, scary, bits. I’ve heard Mustard described as a twisted fairy tale, and I think the description fits.
I hesitate to say any one actor delivered a standout performance because this casting felt natural and every character was alive to me. However, how can I not give kudos to the RANGE of Kayvon Khoshkam, who plays the title character? One of my readers felt that his energy was Jimmy Fallonesque while I felt it harkened to Martin Short. Either way, we’re talking talent. Earnest emotions bubbling above the surface, reacting in real time to changes around him, Khoshkam made me believe in Mustard despite being warned he was imaginary.
Anita Smith and Mara Teare played mother and daughter, delivering daring and honest performances, while Braden Butler (the boyfriend) offered that bumbling comedic timing that some tense scenes needed. And speaking of ‘the boyfriend’, hats off to intimacy coordinator, Peace Akintade, whose bed choreography was absolutely expert.
From concept to reality, this is the set at the Backstage Stage. (Set Designer, Rory Jewiss; Props Designer, Nicole Kidder ; Set Construction Lead, Cody Brayshaw.)
I was truly nervous every time the ‘villains’ entered the story, despite them also being ‘imaginary’. I can still hear the smarmy, conversational cadence of Bug and Sadie, played by Danny Knight and Danielle Spilchen, as if I’m still in the theatre. They experrtly talked of torture and were so human doing it that even their re-entry, announced by a change of light, was enough to make me squirm (props to lighting director, Luke von Eschen for finding that tone). Costume designer Jensine Emeline brought a nihilist, Matrix style to these characters. And co-fight directors, Ed Mendez and Danielle Spilchen put their skills to use with them, too. But don’t let these last sentences talk you out of seeing this play. You’ll be fine.
I could tell you more but want to save some surprises. Mustard is a unique play that will live on in your mind. And with that, I’ll leave you with some audience reviews.
Congratulations to Director, Tim Bratton and the cast and crew of Mustard. Not mentioned above but equally important to the production are Stage Manager, Katie Blackburn-Dust; Audio Designer, Oli Guselle ; Costumes Assistant, Morgan Carter Set ; Construction Assistant, Kelson Cunningham; Media Publicist, Britainy Zapshalla.
