“An over-the-top, campy musical comedy that follows the tragic downfall of young Jimmy Harper after one puff of the ‘devil’s lettuce.'”
Prohibition. We wish we could say that it is no longer with us. But it is. For example, the DEA just reported that it seized more than 5 million cannabis plants in 2024 alone.
At the same time, we can concede that things are getting better—or at least that they used to be worse. And there are few things that communicate just how severe the taboo around marijuana was in this country than the black-and-white flick “Reefer Madness.”
Originally filmed and released in the 1930s to scare good churchgoing people out of trying weed, the movie ultimately became synonymous with canna hysteria and a cult favorite among stoners in ironic vintage D.A.R.E. shirts. All current prohibitions considered, it’s fitting that people keep it alive with memes and even theater adaptations to this very day.
Enter Moonstruck Theater Company, a “Greater Boston-based, volunteer-run nonprofit dedicated to producing bold, imaginative, and engaging theater.” “Known for its quirky, high-energy productions, Moonstruck is making its grand return after an eight-year hiatus”—starting with “Reefer Madness,” an “electric, jazz-infused musical.”
According to a media release: “Inspired by the 1936 anti-marijuana propaganda film, ‘Reefer Madness’ is an over-the-top, campy musical comedy that follows the tragic downfall of young Jimmy Harper after one puff of the ‘devil’s lettuce.’ With swingin’ tunes, high-energy dance numbers, and a satirical take on moral panic, this cult-classic musical is a hilarious, fast-paced ride through the absurd hysteria of the 1930s.”
“Presented by the newly revived Moonstruck Theater Company, this production brings a fresh and irreverent take to the stage, packed with dynamic performances, sharp comedy, and just a touch of madness.”
‘Reefer Madness’ is for one night only at the Rockwell in Somerville on Saturday, Aug. 16. More info and tickets here.
