MAE (Alana Diaz) depends on her abusive boyfriend (Michael Reardon as Jack) for “the stuff” in “Reefer Madness: The Musical,” at the Benicia Old Town Theatre through May 19. Joe Messina photo

Theater review by Elizabeth Warnimont
Special to The Herald

Benicia Old Town Theatre opened the nostalgic and hilarious “Reefer Madness: The Musical” last weekend, with a catered opening gala on Friday night. But while alcoholic beverages were offered, the “killer weed” was not on the menu.

Michael Doppe stars in the play, written by Kevin Murphy with music and lyrics by Dan Studney, that spoofs a 1930s government-issued documentary film warning parents about the dangers of marijuana, the “leafy green assassin.” A sharp and lively band provides musical accompaniment, with musical director Sierra Dee on piano, Taylor Rankin on drums and David Hunter on bass. Matthew Teague Miller directs the fun, high-energy and slightly raunchy production, with loads of laughs, quality music and the clever incorporation of movie clips mimicking the original propaganda film.

ADRIA SWAN and Michael Doppe star in "Reefer Madness: The Musical," a comedic sendup of 1930s fears of drug-addled youth. Joe Messina photo

Ted V. Bigornia is the stereotypical scourge-hating, audience-admonishing lecturer, speaking — and at times raging — from the podium as he lectures high schoolers’ parents and narrates the film, acted out by a capable cast including Doppe as Jimmy and Adria Swan as his ne’er-do-wrong girlfriend Mary Lane. Bigornia carries the role with conviction and serves as the sustaining thread throughout the “horrifying” tale of the reefer toker’s descent into moral decrepitude.

Doppe and several of the lead cast members are hilarious if sometimes overly silly. The play calls for a generous sprinkling of slapstick, so occasionally the humor slips into adolescent goofiness, as when Jimmy’s new bad habit turns him into a wild, sex-crazed addict who starts humping the air when his new girlfriend wriggles out from under him on the couch and beckons him into the bedroom.

Swan is sweet as Mary Lane. She seems to have a natural comic sense to go with polished dance moves. Other important figures include Michael Reardon as Jack the dealer and Molly Millett as Sally, the temptress who leads Jimmy down the illicit garden path.

Gianna DiGregorio is a bright spot in the role of “Placard,” a sort of Vanna White who carries painted signs to punctuate the film at regular intervals: “Reefer makes you laugh at nothing” — and “Reefer kills nice old men,” too, as demonstrated when Sally hits a man with her car and leaves the scene with Jimmy.

“Reefer Madness” contains no profound message and reveals no hidden truths. It’s all for fun and laughs, and Benicia Old Town does a fine job providing just that. Some very clever staging keeps it interesting, and Maria Graham’s costumes enhance the characterizations nicely.

Because of some explicit sexual scenes and violence, the show is not recommended for children. Bring your adult friends and enjoy this crazy, silly blast from the past.

If You Go
“Reefer Madness” continues at the Benicia Old Town Theatre through May 19. Tickets are $18 to $20 and are available by calling 746-1269 or online at beniciaoldtowntheatregroup.com.

Elizabeth Warnimont is a freelance writer specializing in the performing arts. She is a regular contributing writer for BAYSTAGES magazine and writes a weekly review for The Herald.

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