Review: Reefer Madness at New Stage Theater – Broadwayworld

Wondering what would happen if some students from the 30s smoked weeds for the first time? According to the production of New Stage TheaterreWorks of Reefer MadnessObviously, they would ruin their whole lives. Although this may sound dark, the actual propaganda movies of the time have seriously portrayed this message. Reefer MadnessHowever, it is a musical satire of the 1936 propaganda film of the same name in 1936, the story was created as a play within a play, with the teacher (John Lipian) telling a story that will join the dramatic department of the school.

Granton Durham, who played Jimmy Harper, had fantastic energy on stage from beginning to end. With fabulous comedy deadlines and excellent physics, the audience can be lost in the history of his decline. His love interest, Mary Lane, depicted by Kayla-Elizabeth Maisen, was just as a star performer. Meyzen perfectly captures the optimism of Doe Eye, expected by the girls in the 1930s, without losing the depth needed to revive the character. The chemistry of Durham and Maisen together was incredible, with the audience managed to fully understand how deeply they care for each other.

However, the phenomenal main characters in themselves do not make a good show. John Lipian, who plays the production teacher, does a great job, balancing his character as a teacher with any role in which he is on stage,

The cast at Reefer Den was also incredible performers. Hunter Flora, who plays the Jack-Kasham, who drinks a drug, nail this villain. Flora embodies the charismatic but hidden nature of the character, creating an antagonist against whom the audience can be rooted. Sarah Matlow creates a world of internal conflict such as May, Jack’s wife, who opposes his actions, but depends on him for the marijuana to which he is addicted. Her growth as a hero during the show adds a layer of depth to the black and white morality, which is seen in many other characters.

I will be rejected not to mention the ensemble of the show, which every time came on stage with high energy. The ensemble numbers of this show are some of his peak moments, especially vocal, with their excellent harmonies and vocal mixture. The entire cast is not afraid to tilt in the show’s comedy, which allows acting to be distinguished. The show was choreographed by Kelly Bliel-Grehes and Piper Grace, who created dance numbers that added energy without excessive complication. Although not always performed perfectly, the choreography filled the scene with life and movement in a wonderful way.

The set, designed by Stephen Jack Jamer, was a complex and multifunctional one, easily turned the scene into many places with a wall turn. The levels created by the staircase and the platform at the top have allowed a lot of freedom for director Christoph Cage to show creativity with the production.

The show leaned heavily in the aspect of the Show in the Show in really interesting ways. For example, instead of a support made to look like a car, Janish Sanchez-Cadar designs a flat support that the actor will hold to pretend to be in a car. This added a wonderful element of humor, while reminding the audience of the context in which the show exists. The musical also uses stage hands quite visibly, in particular when the lecturer was talking to the audience, reminding us that the real action of the show is within the performance.

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