...but I'm pretty sure it wouldn't hurt, either.
Personally, I was quite pleased with this campy send-up of the original Thirties propaganda film, mostly because "Reefer Madness: The Musical" goes far beyond mere parody and takes off in directions of its own, much the same way Ashman and Goodman's musical, "Little Shop of Horrors," did back in the mid-Eighties. The music is good, the lyrics are clever, the book is good, production values are high (pun acknowledged), and the acting and singing are without fault. Who could ask for anything more? I haven't had this much fun discovering a new musical since I finally tumbled to "Rent" a few months ago.
Original cast members include Kristen "Veronica Mars" Bell, Christian "Yes, I'm Neve's big brother, but I'm talented, too" Campbell, and John "I've done more voice work than you can shake a stick at" Kassir. They acquit themselves with all the flair and talent one would expect from actor/singers who know their stuff inside out. Outstanding support from Alan "Nightcrawler" Cumming, Ana "SNL" Gasteyer, and Steven "Wings" Weber just makes everything even better, along with appearances by Neve "I'm his little sister, you got it" Campbell, OBC alum Robert "The Drew Carey Show" Torti as a wonderfully glitzy Jesus, Stephen E. "I am one daggone busy character actor" Miller, and the luscious Christine "Step by Step" Lakin as a feisty Joan of Arc. Director Andy Fickman, who helmed the horrendous "Who's Your Daddy?" back in 2003 (yes, I actually wasted an hour or so watching it, but at least I got to see Ms. Lakin again), really got the talent required to pull this one off.
What's not to like? Stoners being equated with "Night of the Living Dead" zombies, officious establishment types getting their busybody noses tweaked, Jesus getting the Tom Jones treatment, and all within the context of some choice choreography from Mary Ann "Clueless" Kellogg and her able assistants, along with superb art direction, production design, and costuming. Why, just sprinkle on some fine cinematography by Jan "Fright Night" Kiesser and careful editing by Jeff "The Craft" Freeman, and you've got a guaranteed crowd pleaser.
Don't Bogart this musical; pass it on to your friends. The only thing I'd really like to know is what the heck is the significance of "420?" Is it just ten times the answer to life, the universe and everything, or is there something more arcane involved? 3.12.08 edit: Now I know. Jeez, you'd think after all this time...
Personally, I was quite pleased with this campy send-up of the original Thirties propaganda film, mostly because "Reefer Madness: The Musical" goes far beyond mere parody and takes off in directions of its own, much the same way Ashman and Goodman's musical, "Little Shop of Horrors," did back in the mid-Eighties. The music is good, the lyrics are clever, the book is good, production values are high (pun acknowledged), and the acting and singing are without fault. Who could ask for anything more? I haven't had this much fun discovering a new musical since I finally tumbled to "Rent" a few months ago.
Original cast members include Kristen "Veronica Mars" Bell, Christian "Yes, I'm Neve's big brother, but I'm talented, too" Campbell, and John "I've done more voice work than you can shake a stick at" Kassir. They acquit themselves with all the flair and talent one would expect from actor/singers who know their stuff inside out. Outstanding support from Alan "Nightcrawler" Cumming, Ana "SNL" Gasteyer, and Steven "Wings" Weber just makes everything even better, along with appearances by Neve "I'm his little sister, you got it" Campbell, OBC alum Robert "The Drew Carey Show" Torti as a wonderfully glitzy Jesus, Stephen E. "I am one daggone busy character actor" Miller, and the luscious Christine "Step by Step" Lakin as a feisty Joan of Arc. Director Andy Fickman, who helmed the horrendous "Who's Your Daddy?" back in 2003 (yes, I actually wasted an hour or so watching it, but at least I got to see Ms. Lakin again), really got the talent required to pull this one off.
What's not to like? Stoners being equated with "Night of the Living Dead" zombies, officious establishment types getting their busybody noses tweaked, Jesus getting the Tom Jones treatment, and all within the context of some choice choreography from Mary Ann "Clueless" Kellogg and her able assistants, along with superb art direction, production design, and costuming. Why, just sprinkle on some fine cinematography by Jan "Fright Night" Kiesser and careful editing by Jeff "The Craft" Freeman, and you've got a guaranteed crowd pleaser.
Don't Bogart this musical; pass it on to your friends. The only thing I'd really like to know is what the heck is the significance of "420?" Is it just ten times the answer to life, the universe and everything, or is there something more arcane involved? 3.12.08 edit: Now I know. Jeez, you'd think after all this time...