Overview

Synopsis

There is a new menace sweeping the nation, ready to ensnare and seduce the youth and drag them down into a life of sin: REEFER MADNESS! In this hilarious, over-the-top satire, the high school drama club, led by the gravely stern Lecturer, illustrates the perils of the “leafy green assassin.” They tell the story of Jimmy, a fine, upstanding, All-American boy whose life fell apart because of the evil reefer. Jimmy was a good kid, with a bright future ahead of him. He had a sweetheart whom he loved, the wholesome and sweet Mary Lane. But when Jimmy is tricked into taking his first puff of reefer, his life quickly spirals downward. He begins to neglect his family, his schoolwork, even Mary, in order to spend all his time smoking at the Reefer Den. His addiction leads him to debauchery, sin, theft, and, eventually, murder. Reefer Madness is an irreverent parody of the classic 1930s instructional film full of camp, hilarity, mayhem, and madness.

Show Information

Book
Kevin Murphy
Music
Dan Studney
Lyrics
Kevin Murphy
Based on the Play/Book/Film
Reefer Madness
Category
Musical
Age Guidance
Mature Audiences (M)
Number of Acts
2
First Produced
2001
Genres
Dark Comedy, Satire
Settings
Contemporary, Multiple Settings
Time & Place
A high school auditorium in anywhere America, 1936
Cast Size
medium
Orchestra Size
Medium
Dancing
Some Dance
Licensor
Concord Theatricals
Ideal For
College/University, Community Theatre, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Includes Adult, Late Teen, Young Adult Characters, Medium Cast

Context


Plot


Characters

Name Part Size Gender Vocal Part

The Lecturer

Lead

Male

Baritone

Jimmy Harper

Lead

Male

Tenor

Mary Lane

Lead

Female

Mezzo-Soprano

Jack Stone

Supporting

Male

Tenor

Mae

Supporting

Female

Alto

Ralph Wiley

Supporting

Male

Tenor

Sally

Supporting

Female

Alto

Placard Girl

Supporting

Female

Spoken

Ensemble

Ensemble

Either Gender

Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Baritone, Bass

Songs

ACT ONE

  • *Reefer Madness - Lecturer and Ensemble

  • Romeo & Juliet - Jimmy and Mary

  • The Stuff - Mae

  • *Down at the Ol’ Five and Dime - Lecturer, Jimmy, Jack and Ensemble

  • Jimmy Takes a Hit - Sally, Jimmy, Jack, Ralph, Mae and Lecturer

  • *The Orgy - Ensemble

  • Lonely Pew - Mary

  • Listen to Jesus, Jimmy - Jesus and Ensemble

  • Lullabye - Sally’s Baby

  • Mary Jane/Mary Lane - Jimmy, Mary and Ensemble

  • Act One Finale - Ensemble

ACT TWO

  • Jimmy on the Lam - Mary, Jimmy, Sally, Ralph, Mae and Ensemble

  • The Brownie Song - Jimmy and Ensemble

  • Down at the Ol’ Five and Dime (Reprise) - Lecturer

  • Little Mary Sunshine - Ralph and Mary

  • Mary’s Death - Jimmy and Mary

  • Murder - Ensemble

  • The Stuff (Reprise) - Mae and Ensemble

  • Listen to Jesus, Jimmy (Reprise) - Jesus, Jimmy and Ensemble

  • The Truth - Ensemble

A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.

Monologues

All monologues are the property and copyright of their owners.. Monologues are presented on StageAgent for educational purposes only. If you would like to give a public performance of this monologue, please obtain authorization from the appropriate licensor.

Scenes

All scenes are the property and copyright of their owners. Scenes are presented on StageAgent for educational purposes only. If you would like to give a public performance of this scene, please obtain authorization from the appropriate licensor.

Key Terms

    Adaptation

    A version of a work modified from another medium or language, making it suitable for a new performance context.

    Addiction

    A character trait or theme representing dependence, often central in dramatic portrayals of struggle or recovery.

    Hallucination

    A sensory experience that appears real but is created by the mind; often portrayed in drama for psychological effect. This term plays a vital role in understanding theatrical structure and is commonly encountered in stagecraft or performance settings.

    Metatheatre

    A form of self-referential drama where the play draws attention to its own theatricality. This device challenges the audience’s suspension of disbelief and is used in Epic Theatre and postmodern works.

    Parody

    Parody is a comedic imitation of a style, genre, or work that exaggerates its features for humorous or satirical effect. In theatre, it playfully mocks conventions, characters, or cultural icons while still relying on audience recognition of the original. Parody can both celebrate and critique its subject, often blurring the line between homage and ridicule.

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Themes, Symbols & Motifs

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Guide Written By:

Marielle Renée Rousseau

Marielle Renée Rousseau