Pauline Adamek
::STOP PRESS::
The Smash HIT Theatrical Event of the Summer EXTENDS through
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2024 at the Whitley Theatre in Hollywood!
Did you ever see a show that left your cheeks aching from too much laughter? The smash-hit, home-grown comedy musical Reefer Madness just got extended for another month, so now’s the time to grab some tickets. Performances are happening Wednesdays through Sundays, until September 15th.
Staging Reefer Madness in the old King King nightclub space and converting it to a dedicated venue “The Whitley” (corner of Hollywood Blvd and Whitely Ave) was an undertaking in itself. As you step off the noisy boulevard you enter a sparkling open air courtyard with comfy lounges and table seating for pre-and-post-show drinks and dining. The theater space itself has been transformed into a 1930s-style speakeasy ‘the Reefer Den’ with attention to detail in the décor and design. The large space has bleacher seating as well as clusters of cocktail tables everywhere. There’s a raised main stage, a spiral staircase to a platform where the band perform, plus smaller stages all over. In short, the lively performance happens all around, giving us a truly immersive experience.
The musical itself was created here in L.A. about 25 years ago, at the Hudson Backstage Theatre on Santa Monica Boulevard back in 1999. The show then successfully transferred to off-Broadway in 2001.
To trace its origins, we have to go way back to a 1930’s Christian morality film brimming with fear-mongering about the dangers of the evil substance “mari-hu-ana.” The film was financed by a church group under the title Tell Your Children. It was also sometimes labeled The Burning Question, Dope Addict, Doped Youth, and Love Madness. The black-and-white exploitation film features a scene wherein a teenager takes one toke of weed and immediately becomes a shrieking, gibbering madman. It’s this character that kicks off the performance, screeching manically as the evil drug instantly addles his brain.
We see a moral crusader Lecturer (Bryan Daniel Porter) behind a pulpit hammering his dire message about the perils of this evilly addictive substance marijuana. Jimmy Harper (Anthony Norman) is a clean-cut high schooler who succumbs to temptation offered by insidious reefer dealer Jack (Porter in a deliciously dual role). Jack invites him to party with his stoned friends Mae (Nicole Parker), Ralph (Thomas Dekker), and Sally (J Elaine Marcos). One toke of the toxic weed and Jimmy descends into full-blown addiction. Jimmy has been dating the wholesome Mary Lane (Darcy Rose Byrnes) but soon alienates his sweet girlfriend and ditches school to lose himself in a fog of fumes all day long, rapidly becoming a maniac.
The musical amps up the melodrama, showing how addiction leads to shocking crimes, degradation and ultimately, destruction. Even squeaky-clean Mary Lane eventually lets down her long, long blonde tresses and shows us her saucier nature!
Spencer Liff’s direction and dynamic choreography is hilariously over-the-top, with a quartet of high-energy dancers giving especially dazzling performances throughout the evening. The whole cast is extraordinarily talented and enthusiastic, singing and dancing their hearts out. Special mention to the hard-working props team who whisk small set pieces and props on and off the many stages just in time for lights up in that corner of the room.
The fast-paced one-act show never holds back for a second, featuring lusty sex acts and scenes culminating in Grand Guignol flourishes of jets of blood from decapitated heads. It’s madcap, crazy fun—don’t miss this show!
Reefer Madness
The Whitley, 6555 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood
Performances: Wed—Fri. at 8 p.m., Sat. at 2 and 8 p.m., Sun. at 2 p.m., through September 15, 2024.
Running time: 85 minutes with no intermission.
ABOUT REEFER MADNESS:
The popular multiple award-winning musical comedy Reefer Madness returns for the first time in 25 years to where it all began. Experience the side-splittingly funny cult-classic musical like never before in a uniquely immersive production. Featuring additional songs and material by the original creative team. Directed and choreographed for a new generation by Spencer Liff (Hedwig, Spring Awakening, So You Think You Can Dance?). Co-produced by Reefer alums Kristen Bell, Christian Campbell and Alan Cumming.
Directed and Choreographed by Spencer Liff.
Book/Lyrics by Kevin Murphy; Book/Music by Dan Student; Set Design by Mark A. Dahl; Reefer Den Interior Design by Peter Wafter; Lighting Design by Matt Richter; Sound Design by Charles Glaudini; Costume Design by Pinwheel Pinwheel; Original Orchestrations by Nathan Wang and David Manning; New Orchestrations by David Catalan and David Lamoureux; Music Director is David Lamooureux; Associate Director/Choreographer is Max Reed.
