REEFER MADNESS Kicks Off Minneapolis Musical Theatre's 2013 Season Tonight

Minneapolis Musical Theatre's Reefer Madness, the raucous musical comedy taking a tongue-in-cheek look at the perils of marijuana, debuts tonight, February 1-24, 2013 at Hennepin Theatre Trust's New Century Theatre (Street Level of City Center in downtown Minneapolis). Directed by Steven Meerdink, MMT's artistic director, it is the first production in the new partnership between Hennepin Theatre Trust and Minneapolis Musical Theatre. Inspired by the original 1936 film, this satirical morality tale is a depiction ofclean-cut kids lured into a hysterical downward spiral by the evil weed, jazz, sex and violence. Single tickets are on sale now. For tickets or more information, visit www.HennepinTheatreTrust.org or call 1.800.982.2787.

This version of Reefer Madness showcases alluring musical numbers ranging from big Vegas-style show stoppers like "Listen to Jesus, Jimmy," complete with an angel chorus of showgirls, to swing tunes like "Down at the Ol' Five and Dime." Directed by Andy Flickman, with book and lyrics by Kevin Murphy and music by Dan Studney, the musical premiered in Los Angeles in 1999, ran off-Broadway in 2001 and re-emerged as a 2005 movie starring Alan Cumming, Kristen Bell, Neve Campbell and Ana Gasteyer.

This dynamic, comic book style production stars local actors Kurt Bender as Jimmy Harper, Maggie Mae Dale as Mae Coleman,Garrick Dietze as The Lecturer, Keith Hovis as Ralph Wiley, Emily Jabas as Sally, Daniel Ray Olson as Jack, Amanda Weis and Mary Lane. The ensemble includes Eric Brandhorst, Jessica Breed, Rebecca Gebhart, Daniel Lane, Philip Matthews, Alice McGlave, Emily Temple, Benjamin Tucker Thompson and Adan Varela. It is directed by Steven Meerdink and features musical direction by Lori Maxwell, scenic design by Darren Hensel, lighting design by Grant Merges, sound design by Lucas Melchior, costume design by Joshua Stevens and Suzie Lorenz and prop design by Valerie Larche.

This new partnership benefits MMT by wedding the Trust's expertise in audience development and community outreach to their ongoing commitment and success in presenting new or rarely-seen musical works. The Trust benefits from MMT's years of artistic success as a respected Twin Cities arts organization and adds to its growing list of local theatre collaborators who have chosen to produce and present work at the New Century Theatre in downtown Minneapolis.