Circle Theatre Presents REEFER MADNESS Tonight, 6/20

In the vein of recent Circle musicals Urinetown and Tommy, a Reefer Madness like you’ve never seen before! Matthew Gunnels, no stranger to camp classics, makes his Circle directorial debut bringing this "high" musical comedy to our stage.

Reefer Madness takes the over-the-top morality tale of the 1936 film cult classic, and pushes it to The Edge of ridiculous. Innocent teen Jimmy is lured into the dangerous world of marijuana, a world full of insanity, promiscuity, recklessness and murder. This campy musical will have you tapping your toes to a Tom Jones-esque Jesus, and just might make you hungry for a snack.

Matthew Gunnels – A director/actor, Matt has directed Pussy on the House; Poseidon! An Upside Down Musical; Eating Raoul: the Musical as well as several incarnations of Rudolph the Red Hosed Reindeer for Hell in a Handbag Productions. Other directing credits include In Trousers (Top Ten Theatre Shows of 2005 - Time Out Chicago) and Macabaret for Porchlight Music Theatre, and The Wizard of Oz at Timberlake Playhouse. An Artistic Associate of Emerald City Theatre, he develops new musicals for young audiences, including Peter Pan and Dr. Seuss's Green Eggs & Ham and Other Stories. As an actor, Matt last appeared on the Circle stage as Bazzard in The Mystery of Edwin Drood.

Bobby Arnold * Julia Beck * Liz Bollar * Tommy Bullington * Landree Fleming * Jason Grimm * Kyle Kuhlman * Melody Latham * Eric Lindahl * Elissa Newcorn * Joshua A. Peterson * Gina Sparacino * Ryan Stajmiger * Neil Stratman * Stephanie Wohar

Matthew Gunnels, Director * Jon Landvick, Music Director * Brigitte Ditmars, Choreographer * Zev Steinberg, Fight Choreographer * Peter O'Neill , Scenic Designer * John Nasca, Costume Designer * Gary C Echelmeyer, Lighting Designer * Matt Gajowniczek, Sound Designer * Adele Powers, Stage Manager * Fernando Alvarez, Assistant Stage Manager * Nicole Malmquist, Associate Lighting Designer * Anita Hoffman, Production Coordinator

Celebrating its 27th season, Circle Theatre is an artist-based company and the proud recipient of over 40 Jeff Awards. Circle has produced multiple world premieres, including Rebecca Gilman’s The Glory of Living and The Crime of the Century, Jon Steinhagen’s The Analytical Engine, the Midwest premiere of Michael John LaChiusa’s The Wild Party, and the Chicago premieres of Marvin Hamlisch’s Sweet Smell of Success, Jeff Daniels’ Escanaba In Da Moonlight, Adam Rapp’s Stone Cold Dead Serious, and in our 2011-2012 season, When the Rain Stops Falling.

1010 Madison Street in Oak Park (**Please note Circle’s new performance location**)