BWW Reviews: REEFER MADNESS Approved for Recreational Use

Caroline Simpson, Richie MacLeod, Corbin Williams, and Morgan Howard

This over-the-top spectacle begins at Benjamin Harrison High School circa 1936 where Lecturer (David Foster) warns us that what we are about to see may startle us, as the scenes and incidents reflect actual results of Marihuana addiction.

Based on a 1936 educational film by the same name in which good kids are lured into a reefer den where they develop a taste for "demon weed," jazz music and orgies, this musical by Kevin Murphy and Dan Studney spoofs the movie with clever songs, stunning dance numbers and characters reminiscent of classic film noir.

But how does one effectively mock a highly-exagerrated propoganda film?

By being vastly more absurd!

Director Dave Landis pulls no punches in this rigorous and elaborate show that includes superb live musicians (Angelo Rapan, Justin Brown, Neal Endermann, Matt Blake and David Pace) stellar scenic design (Katie-Bell Springmann) lighting design (Nick Swanson) and sound design (Zach Badreddine), countless chorus costume changes (Caleb Brown Blackwell) complete with character-defining stage hair and makeup (Kathleen Kovarik). Co-Coreographers (Courtney Oliver and Standrew Parker) give us everything from Busby Berkeley to Bob Fosse to belly dance . . . . and beyond, and the limber, light-footed ensemble (Jarrad Baker, Emily Draffen, Noby Edwards, Bussy Gower, Standrew Parker, Gaven Trinidad and Noelia Warnette) never misses a beat. Throw in Seth Mcfarlandesque appearances by Jesus Christ (Atam Woodruff), Lady Liberty, Uncle Sam, FDR (David Foster), assorted clergy, a singing baby, then add a car chase, various acts of violence, debauchery and maudlin merrymaking and what you get is a cumulative effect that makes P.T. Barnum seem like a minimalist by comparison. (Did I mention the whole thing is centered around a love story?)

Bizarre, but howlingly hilarious because they pull it off.

Lecturer/Soda Jerk/FDR (David Foster) mesermizes with aplomb. Jimmy Harper's (Corbin Williams) wild arc from straight-laced boy next door to frenzied fiend to fugitive is played with fascinating focus and conviction. His romantic interest, shrill, goody-two-shoes Mary Lane, (Charity Ruth Haskins) inhabits her role--which includes a transition to hot-headed hussy--with masterful comic timing and virtuoso-level reactions. Sadistic weed-pusher Jack Stone (Richie MacLeod) and his longsuffering mole Mae (Morgan Howard) have a delightful stage chemistry that rivals old Hollywood cinema. Former frat boy, Ralph (Kent Reynolds) is so innovatively insane it's scary, while reefer-hardened Sally (Caroline Simpson) commands the stage with the sass and sex appeal of a young Barbara Stanwyck. Inhale or not, this show delivers a powerful buzz.

But being a critic (not a publicist) I am honor-bound to point out the one (correctable) deficiency. There are nineteen musical numbers--all with presumably clever lyrics--whose words become unintelligible when (mic'd) singers get into their upper registers (and I don't just mean the sopranos.) As a writer, lost lyrics are one of my biggest peeves. Blurring painstakingly-crafted words is an artistic faux pas equal to obscuring an actor's face or a dancer's feet. Granted, vowels need to be distorted to hit high notes, but there are placement and articulation techniques designed to compensate for that challenge. Singers either choose to master those techniques or settle for frustrating their audiences part of the time.

Overall, though, Reefer Madness brims with talent, imagination, energy and expertise. It plays at The Circuit Playhouse through October 27th. It's great fun! Catch it while you can!

The Circuit Playhouse, 51 S. Cooper St.

Dates: October 11 - October 27, 2013

Times: Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 8pm, Sundays at 2pm

Tickets: $22 Opening Weekend (Oct. 11,12,13), $35 Thursdays and Sundays,

$40 Fridays and Saturdays. $22 Seniors/Students/Military. $10 Children under 18.

Box Office: 901-726-4656

Advisory - Adult Situations

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