THE BASICS: REEFER MADNESS, a musical, book by Kevin Murphy and Dan Studney, music by Dan Studney, lyrics by Kevin Murphy, directed by Todd Warfield, presented by O’Connell & Company. 1/26 – 2/11, Fri – Sat 7:30, Sun 3:00, plus Thursday, 2/1 at 7:30. At Shea’s Smith Theatre, 654 Main Street, Buffalo, 716-847-0850 | sheas.org/smith-theatre | Under 17 must be accompanied by an adult.
THUMBNAIL SKETCH: There is a new menace sweeping the nation, ready to ensnare and seduce the youth and drag them down into a life of sin: REEFER MADNESS! In this satire, Jimmy, a fine, upstanding, All-American boy’s life falls apart because of the evil reefer. When he is tricked into taking his first puff, his life quickly spirals downward. His addiction leads him to debauchery, sin, theft, and, eventually, murder.
RUNTIME: about one hour and 30 minutes with intermission
THE PLAYERS, THE PLAY, AND THE PRODUCTION: The original incarnation of Reefer Madness was as an educational film that was produced in 1936 by a religious group in order to warn teens about the evils of marijuana. A producer of exploitation films bought it several years later and distributed it through the 1950’s. It resurfaced in the 1970’s and its unintentional camp made it a big hit with college students. There have been several stage versions of the musical Reefer Madness which is a parody of the educational film. The off Broadway version, which is being performed by O’Connell & Company, was first produced in 1998 with a TV version in 2005.
This is a terrific production with fast-paced and inventive direction by Todd Warfield. Joe Isgar leads a top-notch band — Brandon Burgess, Sam Osmond, Dylan Lumb, and Aneris Rivera-Wagner. And the choreography by Timmy Goodman is fun and fabulous!
Jimmy and Mary, the innocent young lovers, are played by Kevin Deese and Brooke Leary, and they sparkle with mutual love, have pleasant singing voices and good energy, and are amusing throughout the evening – particularly when they succumb to the satanic influence of you-know-what!
Nick Lama kicks off the evening with pizzazz as The Lecturer. Kim Piazza hilariously smolders with passion over “the stuff.” Corey Bieber plays the villain, but I especially liked him as an over the top Jesus. Heather Casseri makes a splash as sexy Sally, the world’s worst mom. And Joey Bucheker has a wild comic turn as a weed-driven maniac whose cackle is just this side of Margaret Hamilton’s.
Lizzie Arnold, Robert McKnight, Alexandra Grace Nowak, Ashleigh Chrisena Ricci, Matt Rittler, and Michael Wells are a versatile and entertaining chorus of excellent singer/dancers.
Timmy Goodman’s costumes are great – I especially enjoyed the costumes for the humdinger of an orgy scene. Fig leaves with leather corsets! And there are lots of little humorous costume touches. When Jimmy transforms into a “bad apple,” for example, he stops wearing his belt and his socks. Never trust a man who doesn’t wear socks!
Production values including lights (Jay Marks) and sound are fine. Todd Warfield’s cartoon cut-out set pieces are cute, and his screen projections which run the gamut from psychedelic swirls to Burchfield paintings – are wonderful and add much to the proceedings.
This is a colorful and irreverent production with lots and lots of laughs! Chase away the winter blues with Reefer Madness!
*HERD OF BUFFALO (Notes on the Rating System)
ONE BUFFALO: This means trouble. A dreadful play, a highly flawed production, or both. Unless there is some really compelling reason for you to attend (i.e. you are the parent of someone who is in it), give this show a wide berth.
TWO BUFFALOS: Passable, but no great shakes. Either the production is pretty far off base, or the play itself is problematic. Unless you are the sort of person who’s happy just going to the theater, you might look around for something else.
THREE BUFFALOS: I still have my issues, but this is a pretty darn good night at the theater. If you don’t go in with huge expectations, you will probably be pleased.
FOUR BUFFALOS: Both the production and the play are of high caliber. If the genre/content are up your alley, I would make a real effort to attend.
FIVE BUFFALOS: Truly superb–a rare rating. Comedies that leave you weak with laughter, dramas that really touch the heart. Provided that this is the kind of show you like, you’d be a fool to miss it!