The Playmakers to Present Reefer Madness: The Musical

The Playmakers are thrilled to announce their upcoming production of the hilarious spoof Reefer Madness: The Musical, opening October 7 at Memorial Hall at 151 Pauline Street in Winthrop.

With a book by Kevin Murphy and Dan Studney, music by Dan Studney, lyrics by Kevin Murphy, the production is directed by Patrick Harris, musically directed by Joshua Ziemann, and choreographed by Jason Hair-Wynn.

This show-within-a-show, inspired by the 1936 cult propaganda film, Reefer Madness takes a satirical look at the hysteria that occurs when clean-cut kids fall prey to the evil drug marijuana. Featuring big show-stopping Broadway style numbers injected with a bit of tongue in cheek political commentary, Reefer Madness poses the question of what happens when a power hungry individual with dangerous rhetoric preys on the fear of the public.

"Even though Reefer Madness is a crazy and funny musical, some of the themes the shows covers are surprisingly relevant to what is going on in the world today," says director Patrick Harris, "this year in particular, during the election season, when politicians use fear-based propaganda to whip Americans into a frenzy." In the show, The Lecturer, an authoritarian figure and director of this show within a show, preaches the dangers of the drug, while the show he has conceived begins to fall apart as the characters spin out of control.

Reefer Madness: The Musical features Chris Mick as The Lecturer, Jason Hair-Wynn as Jimmy, Amy Oldenquist as Mary Lane, Vanessa Lucero as Mae, Andy Porterfield as Jack/Jesus, Melissa MacNeil as Sally, Damien LaCount as Ralph, Monica Wright as the Placard Girl, and Grace Meidanis as Miss Poppy. Gina Ansaldi, Luisiana Cruz, Lara Finn, Brandyn Perry, and Andrew Quinney round out the ensemble.

Tickets are currently on sale via the Playmakers' website, www.winthropplaymakers.com and can also be reserved via the box office line, 617-539-1175. For ticketing questions or to make group reservations, email tickets@winthropplaymakers.com. Performances are Friday, October 7, Saturday October 8, Friday, October 14, Saturday October 15 at 8PM and with matinees on Sunday October 9 and Sunday October 16 at 2PM.