Oct 3, 2025 By Stephanie Kalina-Metzger 4 min read

What’s old is new again.

A campy musical inspired by a 1930s propaganda film will take the stage at Little Lake Theatre in North Strabane starting today and continuing through Oct. 19. In fact, Little Lake’s Facebook page is “buzzing” with dozens of early shares for “Reefer Madness: The Musical.”

The original movie, released in 1936 under the title “Tell Your Children,” was financed by a church group as a cautionary tale warning parents about the supposed dangers of marijuana. While largely forgotten after its debut, the film retitled “Reefer Madness” was rediscovered by the counterculture in the 1970s. It was embraced by college audiences as an unintentionally funny, over-the-top cautionary tale.

A timeline

With the advent of home video, younger generations discovered the cult film, setting the stage for its revival. In 1998, “Reefer Madness: The Musical” premiered in Los Angeles, attracting theatergoers who were already familiar with the flick known for its hyperbole.

In 2005, Showtime released a film adaptation starring actors like Kristen Bell, Alan Cumming and Ana Gasteyer, introducing yet another generation to the parody. The show has since resurfaced in revivals, including a 2024 Los Angeles production that revived national interest and continues to entertain audiences across the country.

An intimate experience

That same energy is headed to the Little Lake Theatre, allowing audiences to experience something just a little different from its usual lineup.

Artistic Director Patrick Cannon believes that the timing is right.

“We think that our audience is ready and willing to take on edgier work that is unlike anything else we are producing,” he said.

The original film, which portrays marijuana as leading to extreme behaviors like sexual promiscuity, violence, insanity and even murder, has been enjoyed by audiences over the years for its inadvertent humor, rather than its underlying message.

The musical is described by Cannon as “wild, raunchy and ridiculous.” “What it really does, however, is hold up a mirror to society. Humor is how we cut through the heaviness and the harm of fear-driven narratives. It’s really about what happens when misinformation spins out of control,” he said.

Music, comedy and extremes

The musical pairs high-energy numbers with dark comedic elements.

“The songs are all over the place, pulling from gospel, swing and rock and each one is like a parody of a different genre,” said Cannon, mentioning a song that compares lovers to Romeo and Juliet, while being oblivious to the death scene.

“Jazzy, brassy and bold high energy is how I would describe the musical numbers,” Cannon said.

Chris Willman, a writer at Variety magazine, reflected on the show’s enduring impact, stating that a lot of bong water has passed under the bridge since the original premiere at the Hudson Theatres in Los Angeles in 1998.

“The costuming and dancing eventually become ludicrously anachronistic, and a leading lady who is Lindy-hopping in the initial scenes will inevitably end up bumping and grinding in contemporary bondage gear by the time all is said, done and smoked,” he said, adding that while the “demon weed,” carries less of a stigma in these post-legalization days, the passage of a quarter-century has not done anything to diminish what a kick “Reefer” can be.

Cannon agrees, noting that Little Lake Theatre’s space, which functions in the round, only enhances the appeal.

“It’s unique and allows us to feature immersive shows where the audience is never more than 25 to 35 feet away. It’s an intimacy that makes you feel as if you are within the world of the play rather than just observing it and I think that our audience will find that the ‘horrors’ of marijuana can be quite entertaining,” Cannon said.

Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. today through Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday; 7:30 p.m. Oct. 9-10; 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Oct. 11; 2 p.m. Oct. 12; 7:30 p.m. Oct. 16-17; 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Oct. 18; and 2 p.m. Oct. 19.

For information,go online to littlelake.org or call 724-745-6300.