The recently extended 25th anniversary revival of Reefer Madness welcomed original cast member Kristen Bell to reprise her performance as Mary Lane this weekend, stepping in for Darcy Rose Byrnes.
The cult favorite musical, based on the infamous 1936 anti-drug PSA, began performances May 30 with Spencer Liff (So You Think You Can Dance?, Spring Awakening) directing and choreographing. Performances will continue through September 15 at The Whitley in L.A.
See Bell and more in the production photos below.
Thomas Decker and Kristen Bell in Reefer Madness the Musical
Patrick Ortiz, Kristen Bell, Emily Goglia, Bryan Porter, J. Elain Marcos, Thomas Decker, Anthony Norman, and Claire Crause in Reefer Madness the Musical
Patrick David Crane, Kristen Bell, Bryan Porter, Anthony Norman, Andre Aultmon, and Claire Crause in Reefer Madness the Musical
Cast of Reefer Madness the Musical
Kristen Bell in Reefer Madness the Musical
Kristen Bell and Thomas Decker in Reefer Madness the Musical
Kristen Bell and Thomas Decker in Reefer Madness the Musical
Kristen Bell and Thomas Decker in Reefer Madness the Musical
Kristen Bell and Anthony Norman in Reefer Madness the Musical
Kristen Bell in Reefer Madness the Musical
Kristen Bell in Reefer Madness the Musical
Kristen Bell in Reefer Madness the Musical
Anthony Norman and Kristen Bell in Reefer Madness the Musical
Anthony Norman and Kristen Bell in Reefer Madness the Musical
Kristen Bell in Reefer Madness the Musical
The revival cast features Anthony Norman (The Prom, Dear Evan Hansen) as Jimmy Harper, Byrnes (Big Shot, Sofia the First) as Mary Lane, J. Elaine Marcos (Annie, Priscilla Queen of the Desert) as Sally De Bain, Nicole Parker (Mad TV, Wicked) as Mae Coleman, Thomas Dekker (Swimming with Sharks, A Nightmare on Elm Street) as Ralph Wiley, and Bryan Daniel Porter (Dog Man, Sand Land) as The Lecturer/Jack/Jesus.
The campy musical features a book and lyrics by Kevin Murphy and music by Dan Studney, telling the story of a seemingly normal American teenager whose life is derailed by a dangerous addiction to the dreaded marijuana. The show first played L.A. in 1999, coming to Off-Broadway in 2001. The anniversary revival features new material, including new songs from Murphy and Studney.
Christian Campbell starred as Jimmy Harper in the original L.A. and NYC productions, with Bell joining as Mary Lane for the New York run. Both reprised their performances in the musical's 2005 screen version, newly joined by Alan Cumming as the Lecturer. The trio is producing the revival production along with Murphy and Studney, original stage director Andy Fickman, and America Olivo Campbell. Original cast member Wendy Parker is executive producer, with Maia Falconi-Sachs, Matthew Rosenthal, and Nick Padgett serving as co-producers.
Following performances, audiences are invited to visit The Reefer Den, a post-show nightclub featuring performances from Broadway favorites, a house band, and more surprise guests, along with food, cocktails, and an outdoor garden.
David Lamoureux is music directing.
Visit ReeferMadness.com.
