Reefer Madness has "all the elements of good musical theatre"!

Erik Alexis as the Lecturer with the Cast of Reefer Madness

This review by Tom Valentine appeared in the Mineral News Tribune on Tuesday, April 16, 2019.

“Reefer Madness, The Musical” would never be mistaken for “The Sound of Music”, or “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown”, or “Steel Magnolias”,  and especially not “Green Grow the Lilacs”. Instead, it is based on the 1936 propaganda film that cautioned parents about the evils and dangers of smoking pot. The movie became a “Rocky Horror” type  midnight movie favorite among the cool kids and in crowd 50 years later.

Currently playing at The Cumberland Theatre, the live stage show has the same over-the-top characters, exaggerated plot devices, and campy feel as the movie. From the lurid green and red lights that bathe the stage, to the uncontrollable gyrations and laughter of the characters, the audience can’t help but giggle and enjoy the ride.

The silly spoof shows how the leafy green assassin turns a good egg to a bad apple. Tai Baumann is perfectly cast as Jimmy,  the good guy, church going, boy scout, boy-next-door type who takes a toke of the evil weed and begins a down ward spiral.

Tim Fitzsimons (Jack), Rhett Wolford (Ralph), Tai Baumann (Jimmy), Kimberli Rowley (Sally) and Krissy Johnson (Mae)

In fact, all of the participants end up as low life degenerates - murderers, rapists, bad mothers, and worst of all - communists. Mary Jane even turns the sweet and innocent girl-next-door, Mary Lane into a raging sex pot. Alexis Krey as Mary  controls the stage with her girlish demeanor until she unleashes her sultry self after consuming the wacky weed.

Both Baumann and Krey  pair up beautifully with their duets and shared moments throughout the show, from “Romeo and Juliet”, “MaryJane/Mary Lane”, to “Mary’s Death and Murder” (hope I didn’t ruin it for you…but you know what happens when you smoke that stuff).

Erik Alexis does an excellent job as both narrator and lecturer telling the tale of woe. He also pops up in many other roles throughout the show. Krissy Johnson is appropriately melodramatic as Mae and shows off her stuff with “The Stuff”. Tim Fitzsimons is a masterful villain as Jack, the Pusher man. Kimberli Rowley is a sexy Sally, Rhett Wolford a stoned stoner, and strutting across the stage cueing in the audience is MacKenzie Cutcliffe.

The cast of Reefer Madness perform the show's finale

It would be easy to push this off as a piece of fluff. However, director Kimberli Rowley has retained all of the elements of good musical theatre in this production. There are large chorus numbers, show stopping dance routines, and the songs themselves are intricate music with difficult rhythms and syncopation.

It  is somewhat ironic that after the mass hysteria promoted by the movie for using marijuana, there are now 33 states that have legalized medical cannabis and 10 that have approved recreational use. When the Federal Government finally wises up and sees it as the cash cow crop that it is, tax revenues into our treasury will be soaring.

“Reefer Madness, the Musical” will continue at The Cumberland Theatre with Thursday, Friday, and Saturday shows at 8 pm and Sunday at 2 pm. There will be no performance on April 21, but 2 shows on April 20 at  2 and 8 pm.

Reservations are available by calling 301-759-4990 or at their website www.cumberlandtheatre.com

The First Review for "Reefer" is In!

ALLEGANY MAGAZINE ONLINE REVIEW CUMBERLAND THEATRE: REEFER MADNESS

Cumberland Theatre Offers High Ol ’Time

A Musical Not to be Taken Seriously... Seriously!

Over the last ... oh... 75 to 80 years, much has been written and reported and researched about the ill and good effects of marijuana. And depending on who you ask, it’s either the devil’s weed or a cure-all tonic.

Most of marijuana’s bad reputation, however, has its roots in a little piece of propaganda disguised as a 1936 film called Reefer Madness. You see, in the 1930s and 40s, the federal government realized the movies had a powerful influence over the general population. Can you imagine? The government using popular media to sway opinion? And a tiny office in Washington, D.C. actually helped produce Reefer Madness – in part to keep folks from growing marijuana in their own backyard and taking money away from the very profitable (and very taxable) tobacco market. It was even shown in high schools as a “cautionary tale.”

Because of this film, the use of marijuana started earning its bad reputation as a drug that could lead to all sorts of bizarre mind altering activity – like psychotic behavior, murder, theft, prostitution, gluttony, lust, and generally all of the deadly sins and breaking of all the Ten Commandments.

And keep in mind, at the time the federal government was waging a campaign against marijuana, Coca Cola -- a thriving company – was still putting real cocaine in every bottle.

Today, 83 years removed from this campy movie classic, we now know cannabis can actually be effective in treating arthritis, glaucoma, cancer and other ailments. Its medicinal use for adults is legal in many states – Maryland included – and Allegany County even has its own medical marijuana dispensary.

So the notion that the use of “weed” or “reefer” or “pot” or “bud” – or any of its nicknames over the years -- can cause “madness” to the brink of insanity is at best a little silly. And that is the premise behind Reefer Madness: The Musical. Yes, this play is “inspired” by the movie of the same name but unlike the film, the musical does not in any way take itself seriously. Seriously!

Tai Baumann and Alexis Krey star as Jimmy Harper and Mary Lane

Presented by the Cumberland Theatre, available performances run Friday, April 12 and weekends through April 28 (yes, that intentionally includes 420, dude), Reefer Madness: The Musical is a comedic “Tour De- Farce.”

The cast of this production takes advantage of all the implied sarcasm and satire for a fun frolic through the green fields of a make believe utopia. It is-- in short-- one of the nuttiest things onstage I have ever seen.

The show has hints of Rocky Horror, a touch of Hairspray and even a dash of Disney. But this musical "ain't the Sound of Music" and is probably not for the kiddos, the close minded or the politically provoked.

The story begins calmly enough with a narrative warning and then suddenly the plot takes a wild turn into exaggerated extremes that include clothes coming off, cannibalism, FDR, and even an appearance by a Deity for whom the Easter season celebrates.

Audiences may at times experience side effects from this production that can include but are not limited to awkwardness, embarrassment, offense, and the loss of bladder control from laughing.

Under the sublime direction of Kimberli Rowley, this “tongue in cheek” (with an emphasis on cheek) musical features the acting talents of Erik Alexis, Tai Baumann, Tim Fitzsimons, Krissy Johnson, Alexis Krey, Rhett Wolford, and the aforementioned Rowley. The ensemble cast includes half a dozen brave souls who obviously have no body issues. That would be Nicole Boscarino, Morganne Chu, A.J. Jackson, Connor McCabe, Wyatt Neff, Whitney O'Haver and Leo Wollan. Music direction is by Sarah Wussow with choreography by MacKenzie Cutcliffe.

Alexis Krey as Mary Lane and ensemble members perform one of the many dance numbers in the show

Everyone involved in this show at the Cumberland Theatre seems to be having a “high time” presenting this to their audience – especially when the audience finally realizes it's all one big joke. In fact, when the jokes do land, they’re on fire – and the joint is jumping – all puns intended. Catch this show before it goes “up in smoke.”

Just hang on, expect the unexpected, and enjoy the ride. And yes, I did pass my urine test before writing this review.

-- SHANE RIGGS Manging Editor Allegany Magazine April 11, 2019

Photos by Wolford Photography/Courtesy Cumberland Theatre

The Cumberland Theatre presents Reefer Madness: The Musical April 11- April 28, 2019. For tickets or information, visit www.cumberlandtheatre.com

Cumberland Theatre wins Best Professional Theatre Company

The Cumberland Theatre was recently awarded Best Professional Theatre Company in Maryland by the Best of 2018 Maryland Theatre Guide Reader’s Choice Awards.   The awards are designed to honor local performing arts organizations for their creativity, talents, and contributions across MD, DC, and Northern, VA.  Other theatres nominated in the Professional category were Arena Theatre, Everyman Theatre, The Shakespeare Theatre Company and Toby’s Dinner Theatre.

The voting process begins with readers submitting their write-in choices online.  After the write-in choices have been tabulated, the top nominees in each category are featured in a new voting ballot. Readers then have the chance to vote for their favorite out of the top reader submitted choices.  The Cumberland Theatre won by nearly 27% of the vote.

The theatre is run by its two Artistic Directors, Kimberli Rowley and Rhett Wolford and overseen by a volunteer Board of Directors.  “Kim and Rhett each have great talent and when their skills are combined, magic lives on the stage of the Cumberland Theatre,” said Board President BettyJo Gehauf.  “All of us on the Board are extremely proud!”

Other members of the Board of Directors are Phyllis Lyon (Vice President), Sheryl Brown (Treasurer), Dawn Wolford (Secretary), Mary Shrout, Shirley Giarritta, Greg Malloy, Dorothy Kight, Jake Shade, Anthony Pinardi, Annette Wolford, Matt Scarpelli, and Don Whisted.