Capitalizing on the frenzy surrounding California’s Prop 64, supporters for marijuana legalization will debut a musical rendition of "Reefer Madness" at the Campbell Theater in Martinez on Friday.
The production will run until Nov. 19. Company members told NBC Bay Area that they hope it will bring some levity to what has been a rather rancorous election season.
“We want people to come in and really just have a good time,” explained Helen Means, a founding member of the Campbell Theater.
"Reefer Madness" is a parody of the 1930s film that tried to discourage marijuana use by grossly exaggerating its side effects. The film, also titled ‘Reefer Madness,’ shows pot use driving average teens to commit rape, murder and other atrocities, all due to a few puffs of the “wacky tobaccy.” Once shown in classrooms and churches, it has since become a shining example of PSA-style videos gone hilariously wrong. It lives on in embarrassing infamy thanks to sites like YouTube.
Unlike its film counterpart, the stage adaptation’s humor is entirely intentional. Penned by famed playwright Kevin Murphy in the 1980s, its been a favorite across theater houses nationwide for its bawdy and provocative satire. Means said it will be one of the few shows in their lineup that isn’t suitable for younger kids.
As it happens, Means was assigned to see the propaganda film as a student in the 1950s. She remembers her entire class finding the film hysterical for its extreme melodrama.
“The whole thing was just so stupid,” Means, who grew up in rural Susanville, said. “I mean, at the time, I thought that marijuana was just something people used in big cities...but even then we still didn’t take it seriously. We laughed.”
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Means and the crew say the decision to insert the more risky parody into their season was directly inspired by the controversial ballot initiative, which could pave the way for recreational pot use across the state. Although several senior members of the company say they do not smoke, all told NBC Bay Area that they supported the decriminalization of the plant.
“That’s why we timed it. We thought it would make a good fit,” explained Randall Knott, the director and designer of the play. “It definitely is inspired because of Prop 64…but we’re just trying to make it a fun time. We’re not making a political statement with it.”
As a substitute for marijuana, the cast will be toking on mint tea rolled up to look like joints. Although the stage design is still under construction, the crew has painted a window overlooking a grow operation and placed a giant hookah in the middle of the set for effect.
Jennifer Peabody, the play’s principal actress and a longtime company member, said putting on a show like "Reefer Madness" is an opportunity to branch out and try something different. After Campbell’s moved to Martinez from its decades-long home in Pleasant Hill two years ago, expanding and meeting new faces in the community has been a priority.
"We're like a close-knit family here...but we're always looking for new people to come in, and hopefully this helps with that."
Gillian Edevane covers Contra Costa County. Contact her at Gillian.Edevane@NBCuni.com.
