THEATRE REVIEW: CANNABIS SPOOF LIGHTS UP STAGE

Bold headlines proclaiming "Seduction of the Innocent," "Marijuana:
Weed From the Devil's Garden" and "Menace to U.S. Youth" provide the
backdrop to Mercury Players Theatre's production of "Reefer Madness,"
a musical comedy about drugs, sex, mayhem and murder.

Although this is the musical's Wisconsin premiere, "Reefer Madness"
has a history that dates back to a 1936 film originally titled "Tell
Your Children," an anti-drug propaganda piece that overemphasized the
consequences of smoking marijuana. Contrary to its intent, the
renamed film later became a cult hit in the 1960s and '70s,
particularly among college students. In the last decade, "Reefer
Madness" was rewritten as a musical parody and in 2005 released as a
Showtime movie starring Kristen Bell and Alan Cumming.

Madisonians seem also to have embraced "Madness," and the first three
nights of the Mercury production have filled near capacity.
Distributing pamphlets in the Bartell Theatre lobby, representatives
from the Madison chapter of the National Organization for the Reform
of Marijuana Laws added a presence of serious social debate to the
campy social satire on the stage upstairs.

The plot of "Reefer Madness" follows two wholesome high school
sweethearts, Jimmy Harper and Mary Lane, who are torn apart after
Jimmy is lured into the dark, sexy and surreal world of weed.
Drug-induced orgies, theft, violence and cannibalism are some of the
outrageous consequences that ensue to the tune of upbeat and witty
songs and choreography.

Kelly Murphy was perfectly cast as the sweet and sunshiny heroine
Lane, keeping her air of church-going, 4-H girl naivete even during
her brief descent to the dark side.

Callie L.N. Johnson was a cast standout as the tragically beautiful
but addicted Mae. She brought a captivating stage presence and
melodramatic flair to her role as a kindhearted woman trapped by the
crippling forces of evil.

Robert Daniel Graupner didn't stand out in his role as marijuana den
leader Jack Stone. He appeared neither as seductive nor as slimy as
his character of influence should have been portrayed. But he lit up
the stage in wildly popular and hilarious appearances as a singing
and dancing Jesus. Graupner had no trouble connecting with the crowd
that cheered most loudly for him during his musical numbers, one
audience member Saturday shouting "You rock, Jesus!"

For a company that doesn't specialize in musicals, the overall
singing talent was rather impressive, particularly from Johnson and
Murphy. The lead vocals, however, often competed with and were
drowned out by the chorus, which was also good but needed to pull
back its intensity in these spots.

Also impressive was the combined talent of the large cast and crew
that made this an interesting, detailed and successful production.
Director Pete Rydberg kept the audience engaged with a tight pace and
high energy level from beginning to end.

"Costuminatrix" Jenni Schwaner Ladd added an extra touch of comedy in
all the right places in designs that varied from sock-hop skirts to
nude-colored spandex with strategically placed cannabis leaves. Fight
coordinator Talish Jude Barrow gave polished and comic detail to the
exaggerated slapping and tumbling throughout the play, and
choreographer Cindy Severt provided brilliant and funny solo and
group dance scenes, keeping the audience's eye moving and amused
wherever it wandered on stage.

"Reefer Madness" contains brief partial nudity, copious herbal
cigarettes and numerous scenes that will likely disgust and offend
extreme social conservatives. However, those who filled the theater
Saturday night showed loud and vocal appreciation, capping off the
show with a standing ovation.

Judging from the musical's early popularity, the Mercury box office
anticipates continued full houses, so advance ticket reservations are
suggested.

The show delivers a product that is true to its warning, and this
headline is not exaggerated: One whiff of "Reefer Madness," and
people are hooked.