A Few Questions RE: REEFER MADNESS

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A Few Questions RE: REEFER MADNESS

Posted: 4/6/08 at 12:53pm

I just recently became familiar with the REEFER MADNESS score. Someone on the board was kind enough to send me the TV Soundtrack and I can't get enough of it.
Did anyone see it Off-Broadway? Any reviews/comments?
Is there an Off-Broadway cast recording with Kristen Bell, Michele Pawk, and Gregg Edelman? I'd love to see how Bell's interpretation of Mary Lane was on stage.
Anyone has any comments on Kristen Bell on stage? I am a huge fan of hers, but I'm only familiar with her TV/movie work, I was interested in hearing from people who have actually seen her live.
Could a revival of this show work on Broadway? I love the campiness of it all, it reminds me a lot of LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS.

A Few Questions RE: REEFER MADNESS

"Some people can thrive and bloom living life in a living room, that's perfect for some people of one hundred and five. But I at least gotta try, when I think of all the sights that I gotta see, all the places I gotta play, all the things that I gotta be at"

re: A Few Questions RE: REEFER MADNESS

Posted: 4/6/08 at 1:02pm

it's a funny show but I just don't think it would work on Broadway.

maybe another off-bway run? I picture it at New World where shows like AMERICAN TRAILER PARK and the NAKED BOYS SINGING have enjoyed healthy runs.

re: A Few Questions RE: REEFER MADNESS

Posted: 4/6/08 at 4:16pm

i saw it off bway several years back and absolutely loved it, but tickets sales were dismal and reviews were horrendous. i think after the success of the showtime movie it might have a shot if it were revived, though.

re: A Few Questions RE: REEFER MADNESS

Posted: 4/6/08 at 4:20pm

They had the unfortunate luck of opening downtown after 9/11.

re: A Few Questions RE: REEFER MADNESS

Posted: 4/6/08 at 5:37pm

I actually think that it would be amazing on Broadway.

Jimmy, what are you doing here in the middle of the night? It's almost 9 PM!

re: A Few Questions RE: REEFER MADNESS

Posted: 4/6/08 at 5:57pm

There was no recording of the OOBC but there is one for the Original LA Production with Christian Campbell and John Kassir again as Jimmy and Ralph, Robert Torti (Jesus in the film) as Jack/Jesus and Harry S Murphy (the Mayor from the film in the execution scene) as The Lecturer.
It's not up to par with the film soundtrack, Mae's numbers are in a much lower key for one, but its still a great album and contains some music that wasn't in the film such as the original Dead Old Man/Act One Finale and Act Two opener: Jimmy on the Lam, a reprise of Listen to Jesus, Jimmy at the electric chair, the original reprise of the title song for the finale (which was alot darker and tragic), The Monkey Song which was replaced with The Brownie Song (which I prefer to the latter most of the time, it's so catchy) and a short solo for Sally's doomed baby portrayed by Ralph. It also includes a hilariously offensive cut song from the show.
It's almost out of print but the remaining copies are very expensive.

Alot of info on the show can be found at
http://www.reefermadness.org/

You're reminding me of people you hear at the movies asking questions every ten seconds, "Who is that? Why is that guy walking down the street? Who's that lady coming up to him? Uh-oh, why did that car go by? Why is it so dark in this theater?" - FindingNamo on strummergirl

"If artists were machines, then I'm just a different kind of machine...I'd probably be a toaster. Actually, I'd be a toaster oven because they're more versatile. And I like making grilled cheese" -Regina Spektor

"That's, like, twelve shows! ...Or seven." -Crazy SA Fangirl

"They say that just being relaxed is the most important thing [in acting]. I take that to another level, I think kinda like yawning and...like being partially asleep onstage is also good, but whatever." - Sherie Rene Scott

re: A Few Questions RE: REEFER MADNESS

Posted: 4/7/08 at 1:34am

Who played Mary Lane in the original LA production?
How I wish they had recorded the Off-Broadway cast, I mean we were lucky to get Bell and Campbell reprising their roles for the film but I'm a huge fan of Gregg Edelman and would love to see him as the lecturer.
Was "Mary Jane/Mary Lane" in the Off-Broadway production? It isn't listed on any of the sites I go to find lyrics for that particular song.
I didn't realize they got bad reviews, I think the songs are pretty funny and I just love the premise.
Thanks for all the info, guys.

re: A Few Questions RE: REEFER MADNESS

Posted: 4/7/08 at 2:00am

I believe, if memory serves me correctly, that that song was added specifically for the movie.

"I am and always will be the optimist. The hoper of far-flung hopes and dreamer of improbable dreams." - Doctor Who

"Yes, the brutalities of progress are called revolutions. When they are over, men recognize that the human race has been harshly treated but it has moved forward." - Les Miserables

re: A Few Questions RE: REEFER MADNESS

Posted: 4/7/08 at 2:26am

I wish there had been an OOBCR too. I'm sure Michele Pawk was wonderful as Mae. The original LA Mary was Jolie Jenkens, and these notes are from the FAQ from the official website concerning Mary Jane/Mary Lane:

“Dead Old Man” was replaced with “Mary Jane/Mary Lane.” This was done because Kevin & Dan felt the former was a visually static solo. That kind of number works better on stage than on film. They thought “MJ/ML” would be more visually interesting.

The end of act one in the original LA and Off-Broadway productions consisted of Dead Old Man, Jimmy and Mary's scene on her front porch and Act One Finale. In the film Dead Old Man was scrapped and Mary Jane/Mary Lane started where it started then was worked into Jimmy and Mary's scene. The current script for productions done now contains MJ/ML and Act One Finale.

#10

re: A Few Questions RE: REEFER MADNESS

Posted: 4/7/08 at 2:53am

Have yet to listen to "Dead Old Man" but "Mary Jane, Mary Lane" plays nonstop on my iPod. I particularly adore Bell's reading of the line "bunnies! I don't know what you're talking about but I like the sound of it!" as well as Jimmy's munchies making him create all kind of food analogies and Mary sort of thinking he is being romantic (Jimmy: "Sweet as Shirley Temple dipped in pudding" Mary: "sweet as Shirley Temple pudding!"). It's adorable.
Thanks for all the insightful notes, Mr.SweetNAwful.

#11

re: A Few Questions RE: REEFER MADNESS

Posted: 4/7/08 at 4:23pm

"Mary Jane / Mary Lane" can cheer you up no matter what mood you're in!

Jimmy, what are you doing here in the middle of the night? It's almost 9 PM!

#12

re: A Few Questions RE: REEFER MADNESS

Posted: 4/7/08 at 5:23pm

I couldn't agree more, Spork.

#13

re: A Few Questions RE: REEFER MADNESS

Posted: 4/7/08 at 5:33pm

A local theater just announced Reefer Madness as their next season opener...can't wait!

9/10 - Next To Normal, Ensemble Theatre
9/18 - Brian Stokes Mitchell, Cincy Pop's
9/28 - Death Of A Salesman, Wright State

#14

re: A Few Questions RE: REEFER MADNESS

Posted: 4/7/08 at 7:03pm

I love the Showtime film! I've seen the original Los Angeles cast CD on Ebay a few times but it usually costs a pretty penny. I saw one a few days ago with a buy it now of over $200.

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