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Reefer Madness: the Musical

Portal Players Dramatic Society presents "Reefer Madness: The Musical!" This musical satire, based on the 1936 cult classic of the same name, ignites the stage at the Capitol Theatre in February and March with a live band, singing, and dancing.

As the play opens, the audience learns of the new drug menace "Marihuana," which threatens the American way of life: action must be taken immediately, before the Good Ol' U.S.A. succumbs to the Demon Weed.

Jimmy Harper and Mary Lane are a lovable pair of wholesome teens who hold hands, sip hot cocoa and think pure thoughts while studying Shakespeare for English class. However, hold on to your hats as we witness the seamier side of life at The Reefer Den, populated by drug-addled Denizens of the Night. We meet Mae, the Reefer Den hostess, who is abused by her slick, pusher boyfriend Jack. She'd leave him, but Jack keeps her supplied with the marihuana she craves. Finally, we visit the local Five-and-Dime store, a teen hangout where wholesome kids indulge in the risqué rhythms of "swing-jazz" music, as performed by Duke Ellington, Dizzy Gillespie and other "ginger-colored Agents of Evil." Jimmy is pressured into taking his first hit of Marihuana and we watch him make a terrifying transition from "good egg" to "bad apple" -- he mouths off to his parents, steals from the poor box, brutalizes a puppy and even attempts to tongue kiss a shocked Mary, sending her running off in tears!

The stage is set as we race towards the hallucinogenic conclusion with special appearances along the way by belly dancers, fire eaters, Goat-Man (a bare-chested satyr), singing cherubim, Uncle Sam, George Washington, Lady Liberty, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, and even Jesus Christ himself!

Directed by Chris Arthurs and produced by Megan Cathers; Musical Director Sandy Bouleau. Starring Aaron Wells, Cydney Pedersen, Cody Taylor, Elliot Drew, Belinda Williams, and Rick Vissia.

Book and lyrics written by Kevin Murphy, and music by Dan Studney. By special arrangement with Rodgers and Hammerstein Theatricals.

Adult audiences only.