Madcap Marijuana Mayhem at BOTTG: Reefer Madness: The Musical

For the next five weeks, is presenting , a take on the 1936 film that was widely circulated as propaganda against the use of marijuana. The story hews close to the film’s plot with a few minor changes. What makes the musical so camp-tastic is how it takes the very, very serious tone of the film and pokes fun at it from a modern perspective.

An example of the show’s satirical take on marijuana warnings includes, “Marijuana makes you sell your babies for drug money,” all delivered with a cheerful smile.

On opening night (the very apt date of 4/20) the cast was in
fine form. Ted V. Bigornia as The Lecturer is a constant presence who brings both comedy and a kind of leering creepiness to the role as he warns the audience of the dangers of weed. Romantic leads Michael Doppe and Adria Swan are winsome as 1950s teens Jimmy and Mary who learn first-hand the over-the-top perils of smoking dope. Alana Diaz has a fantastic full belt when she sings of her addiction to “The Stuff” as addict Mae.  The rest of the cast show great comic timing, a credit to the work of director Matthew Teague Miller, musical director Sierra Dee, and choreographer Megan Glynn.

The show’s production design is spare, with video projections used frequently and to great effect.

It is wonderful to see the cast on stage interact with the filmed versions of themselves. It also allows the audience to get a sense of place without lugging out unwieldy large set pieces. There were a few technical problems in performance, chiefly with sound. There is a live orchestra backstage and their volume often competes with the actors. Hopefully this can be corrected because both the actors and the orchestra sound great when given a chance to balance out.

The best part of the show though is undoubtedly Adam
Serafino as, surprisingly, Jesus, who appears to dope-smoking Jimmy in an
appeal to get him to kick his habit. Serafino steals the show (twice!) with his confident, almost seductive performance that was totally committed to the outsized comedy the show strives for.

Please note that the show is not meant for children (PG-13),
but adults and older teens will enjoy it immensely.

So, if you have a craving for comedy in the vein of Broadway’s Book of Mormon, Mel Brooks, and Avenue Q, or even some special brownies, be sure to catch this show before it dissipates like a cloud of particularly aromatic smoke.
Reefer Madness: The Musical runs from April 20 through May 19 at
B.D.E.S. Hall in Downtown Benicia. Evening shows are at 8pm on Fridays and Saturdays, matinees on Sundays at 2pm. For tickets call (707)746-1269 or go online to the BOTTG website. 

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If there’s something in this article you think should be corrected, or if something else is amiss, call editor JB Davis at 707-628-0051 or email him at benicia@patch