Dan Studney News

After producing ten Main Stage shows in ten months to celebrate its tenth anniversary season, The Onyx has settled into a more comfortable groove.

The USM Department of Theatre and the USM School of Music present the Maine premiere of REEFER MADNESS The Musical, based on a book by Kevin Murphy and Dan Studney, with music by Dan Studney and lyrics by Kevin Murphy. The show runs from Friday, March 11 through Sunday, March 20, with 7:30 p.m. performances on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and 5 p.m. performances on Wednesday and Sunday. All performances take place on the Main Stage at Russell Hall, on the USM Gorham campus.

Broadwayworld.com interviewed Rick Sordelet about his career and the upcoming show he is directing at Crossroads Theatre, 'Holiday Jubilee.'

Even though the movement may have been slowed down by the recent Ohio election, the march toward legalization of marijuana seems on its way in this country.

In these turbulent and overly permissive times, we need shows like 'Reefer Madness' to show us the way. The show itself is a wonderful and very funny spoof that when done right can have you laughing more than if you were high on 'the reefer' yourself. Unfortunately the production currently performing at Seattle Musical Theatre is so unfocused and under produced that it couldn't save anyone. In fact I question whether or not they were all high while they were making it.

Have you ever seen a movie that you thought was so bad, that it was actually good? That's what happened on the road from turning laughably ridiculous 1936 anti-drug propaganda film REEFER MADNESS into a hit Off-Broadway musical. Despite continually being repurposed and repackaged throughout the 30s, 40s, and 50s, AMC considers the original REEFER MADNESS to be 'one of the worst movies ever made.' So, when Dan Studney (music) and Kevin Murphy (book and lyrics) brought the movie to the stage in 1998, it was with tongue firmly implanted in cheek. The musical, playing at Rollins College's Annie Russell Theatre through October 3rd, is a hilarious look at the paranoid fear-mongering that is often the default response to anything new. Having seen the 2005 star-studded film adaptation (and having recently interviewed original star Lori Alan), going in, my expectations for the Rollins' production were extremely 'high' (pun completely intended). However, as is standard for shows at the Annie, the REEFER MADNESS cast is exceptionally strong and, under the direction of Missy Barnes, manages to create the perfectly manic tone for this laugh-out-loud musical.

The Annie Russell Theatre, the longest running theatre in Central Florida, announces their 83rd season! Running September 2015 through April 2016, the season explores taboos - from marijuana to religion, infertility to second marriages.

The cult classic musical Reefer Madness, with book and lyrics by Kevin Murphy and book and music by Dan Studney, was presented in concert at 54 Below on April 19 and 20, featuring original cast members from the production and movie, Christian Campbell, John Kassir, Harry S. Murphy, Amy Spanger, and Robert Torti. Scroll down for photos from the concert!

Long after the Waldos coined the term '420,' composer Dan Studney, lyricist Kevin Murphy, and actor/producer Christian Campbell decided that it was time to test the waters in New York City for the return of the hit cult musical REEFER MADNESS. Lighting up at 54 Below, they wanted to see just how high the 17-year-old material gets modern audiences while also celebrating the 10th anniversary of the film adaptation of the show.

Coming up this week, 54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz and beyond. To purchase tickets or for more information, visit www.54Below.com or call (646) 476-3551.

Coming up this week, 54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz and beyond. To purchase tickets or for more information, visit www.54Below.com or call (646) 476-3551.

Craving a show after the show? 54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club, is expanding its popular late-night series with fresh faces and hot new performances to keep the party buzzing into the wee hours. To purchase tickets or for more information, visit www.54Below.com or call (646) 476-3551. 54 BELOW welcomes you to loosen your tie and embrace the night at its upcoming event:

Broadway's 40 theatres aren't the only places to catch performances from your favorite stars! Well after Broadway orchestra's begin their overtures, ensemble members take their dance breaks, and performers belt out their eleven- o'clock numbers, the party continues at various cabaret venues throughout New York City. Below, BroadwayWorld brings you some cabaret highlights for this week as picked by our theatre editors, including: Melba Moore Live Covering Iconic Legends; Patti LuPone: The Lady with the Torch; Seth Sikes Is Still Singing Judy Garland; The Wedding Singer Reunion Concert; Reefer Madness Reunion Concert.

On April 19th & 20th, the cult classic musical Reefer Madness, with book and lyrics by Kevin Murphy and book and music by Dan Studney, will be presented in concert at 54 Below for 3 performances only. Just announced to the cast are Mary Testa (Queen of the Mist, Xanadu), Lauren Molina (The Skivvies, Rock of Ages), Andrew Aaron Berlin (A Christmas Story: the Musical), Saum Eskandani (Disaster!) Heather Parcells (Soul Doctor, A Chorus Line), and Ryann Redmond (If/Then, Bring it On).

This April and May, 54 BELOW presents an exciting lineup of the brightest talent from Broadway and beyond. Located just below the legendary Studio 54 at 254 West 54th Street.

This April and May, 54 BELOW presents an exciting lineup of the brightest talent from Broadway and beyond. Located just below the legendary Studio 54 at 254 West 54th Street.

On April 19th & 20th, the cult classic musical Reefer Madness, with book and lyrics by Kevin Murphy and book and music by Dan Studney, will be presented in concert at 54 Below for 3 performances only. The concert will star original movie and stage cast members Christian Campbell, John Kassir, Harry S. Murphy, Amy Spanger, Robert Torti, and several guest stars to be announced soon.

The story focuses on two All-American and clean cut high school sweethearts Jimmy (Sean McGee) and Mary Lane (Taylor Beyer). They want to grow up together, have babies, lots of friends and end up happily ever after like their favorite couple “Romeo and Juliet” (a story in which they don't know the horrible ending). Well much like their favorite couple, they are pulled apart and struggle against the odds of being together. Jimmy, under the pretense that he's getting some jazz dance lessons, gets sucked into the lair of a reefer den and after one puff of what they have to offer; he becomes hooked and quickly abandons everything he knows. His fall from grace into a world of debauchery and sexual promiscuity brings on the mayhem as he struggles to choose between the hypnotizing Mary Jane, and his sweetheart Mary Lane.

Mayne Stage has announced Cult Camp Productions presentsReefer Madness The Musical tonight, August 8, and August 15, 17, 21 and 22 at 8 p.m., 7 p.m. doors. Tickets are $20 general admission and are on sale now at (866) 468-3401 or at www.maynestage.com.

Mayne Stage has announced Cult Camp Productions presentsReefer Madness The Musical this August 8, 15, 17, 21 and 22 at 8 p.m., 7 p.m. doors. Tickets are $20 general admission and are on sale now at (866) 468-3401 or at www.maynestage.com.