Nearly a century after William Randolph Hearst’s “Reefer Madness” sparked a cultural panic, the hysteria still lingers in some corners of society. Actor and producer Christian Campbell recently faced this reality when promoting the 25th anniversary of Reefer Madness: The Musical on social media. Meta flagged the word “reefer,” leading Campbell to advise fans to check in at “The Victory Garden” when visiting Hollywood’s The Whitley Theatre, where the show opened on May 31.
“The Victory Garden is an outdoor dining and drinking space we’ve created on Hollywood Boulevard,” Campbell shared. “It’s a lush, green oasis where you can relax post-show.”
Campbell first played Jimmy Harper in the musical’s 1999 Los Angeles debut. The show, a parody of the 1936 propaganda film turned cult classic, has returned with a revamped immersive production and a cannabis lounge to celebrate its 25th anniversary.
Joining Campbell in producing the new adaptation are Kristen Bell and Alan Cumming. Directed and choreographed by Spencer Liff, the cast features Anthony Norman and Darcy Rose Byrnes as Jimmy Harper and Mary Lane, along with Thomas Dekker, Nicole Parker, J. Elaine Marcos, and Bryan Daniel Porter.
Dekker, who plays Ralph Wiley, recalls his long history with the show’s creators, Kevin Murphy and Dan Studney. “It’s surreal to be back auditioning for them at 36, having first met them at 9,” he said.
Campbell discovered the show through Studney, who worked with his sister Neve Campbell on Party of Five. For Bell, the musical was a significant early project that led to her breakout role on Veronica Mars.
“Returning to this show was a no-brainer,” Bell said. “I owe so much of my life to these people and this production.”
The team has recreated “The Reefer Den,” a beloved café from the original production, now a fully functioning lounge with live performances. Following the opening, Campbell and Bell reflected on their journey with the show.
Bell recalled her unconventional audition process. “I missed my first audition and the callback, but they still hired me,” she said. “This show convinced me to move to Los Angeles, which changed my life.”
Campbell’s initial audition was also memorable. “I wasn’t a fan of musical theater due to a bad college experience,” he said. “But I loved the script and music, so I gave it a shot and got the role.”
Stepping into the producer role has been a new challenge for Campbell. “It’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done, but I believe in this show,” he said. “Seeing the original cast and creative team come together again is remarkable.”
Bell echoed his sentiments. “This production always feels relevant, and the community we’ve built is special,” she said. “When Christian asked if I wanted to be involved, I had no hesitation.”
The long-term vision for the show includes creating a community experience. “We want people to come for the show and stay for the community,” Campbell explained. “I’d love to bring this concept to other cities like Vegas and D.C.”
Bell emphasized the importance of community spaces. “There’s a lack of high-quality musical theater in L.A.,” she said. “This show offers an experience and a community that people will want to return to.”
Reflecting on their personal experiences with cannabis, Bell shared a college memory. “I once thought I invented the best card game ever while stoned, but it was nonsense the next morning,” she laughed.
Campbell recounted a story from his youth. “My mom, a lifelong cannabis smoker from Amsterdam, once told me her joint was ‘American tobacco,'” he said. “She’s our ‘Reefer Mama’ and a beloved mascot of the show.”
Reefer Madness is back in Los Angeles for a limited eight-week engagement at The Whitley. Original cast members Kristen Bell, Christian Campbell, and Alan Cumming are producing alongside creators Kevin Murphy and Dan Studney. Directed and choreographed by Spencer Liff, the production team includes original cast member Wendy Parker as executive producer.
The musical, with book and lyrics by Murphy and music by Studney, follows the chaos in a small town when marijuana takes hold. The show debuted in L.A. in 1999, moved Off-Broadway in 2001, and became a TV movie in 2005. The revival includes new material and features a post-show nightclub, “The Reefer Den,” with performances from Broadway stars, a house band, and more.
Los Angeles audiences can look forward to a unique blend of theater and community, as Reefer Madness returns to its roots with a fresh, immersive experience.
