Not for the faint hearted, Reefer Madness: The Musical is inspired by the 1936 anti-marijuana propaganda film of the same name. The musical, directed by Stephen Wheat and with musical direction from David Wisken, takes the audience on a tale about what happens to a pair of straight laced teenagers when they discover the “demon weed”, marijuana.
The musical is firmly tongue-in-cheek and makes sure the audience is aware from the get go. “The original film may be 100% serious when it tells you that smoking marijuana will turn you into a murderer, but the musical’s flashy numbers featuring Jesus, zombies and an orgy shows how over the top this hysterical musical is”, says producer Ryan Lewis. Hysterical indeed, as one audience member exclaimed “this is ridiculous!” in between fits of giggles whilst watching an unfortunate incident with a cat and a chainsaw.
Reefer Madness makes brilliant use of props to add to the ridiculous nature of the tale being told and has been choreographed superbly by Yvette Lee. But perhaps best of all, was The Lecturer, played spectacularly by James Cutler. Cutler was mesmerising and commanded attention each time he took the stage from beginning to the very end. Rosa McCarty, who played Mae, a woman who does what she has to do just to get her hands on some reefer, is also captivating. Kudos to Ben Adams as high school student Jimmy Harper as well, who soldiered through some noticeable tech difficulties on opening night.
Making joke of rape, domestic violence and selling babies, Reefer Madness is certainly no The Sound of Music, but it’s definitely worth a look.
Hurry, as Reefer Madness: The Musical is only in Melbourne for two weeks.
Chapel off Chapel
25 November – 4 December
7.30pm Tues- Sat, 2pm 25-26 Nov & 3 Dec, 6pm Sundays
Tickets are $49 full, $45 concession
