Reefer madness
October 2-11, 2026
Written by Kevin Murphy & Dan Studney
About the show
Run Time: 2 hrs
Intermission: 15 mins
Cast: 4w, 4m
Genre: Musical, Satire, Political Satire
Setting: A small town in America in 1936
Themes: Love, Family, Adolescence
When a clean-cut kid from a stand-up American family falls prey to marijuana, his descent into the pit is filled with jazz, sex and violence. This pointed political satire will go straight to your head!
Inspired by the original 1936 film, this raucous musical comedy takes a tongue-in-cheek look at the hysteria caused when clean-cut kids fall prey to marijuana, leading them on a hysterical downward spiral filled with evil jazz music, sex and violence. You won’t be able to resist the spoofy fun of Reefer Madness. The addictive, clever musical numbers range from big Broadway-style showstoppers to swing tunes like “Down at the Ol’ Five and Dime” and the Vegas-style “Listen to Jesus, Jimmy,” featuring J.C. Himself leading a chorus of showgirl angels. Reefer Madness is a highly stylized and satirical political commentary that will leave you wanting more.
Winner! 2000 L.A. Drama Critic's Circle Awards, Best Production
Winner! 2000 L.A. Drama Critic's Circle Awards, Best Musical Score
Winner! 1999 Backstage West Garland Awards, Best Production
content
advisory
Due to the high volume and wide breadth of work we present, we are often not able to proactively offer content advisories for individual performances. However, if you have specific concerns about stage effects (such as strobe lights or fog/haze) that might have a bearing on comfort or well-being, or if you would like to know more about the age appropriateness of the performance, please contact us at (515) 309-0251 or business@iowastage.org
ACcessible
performances
Audio Described and ASL- interpreted Public Performance :
Sunday, October 4 at 2:00 PM
For more information visit: https://www.desmoinesperformingarts.org/whats-on/calendar?Accessibility=ASL+Signed+Performance
MEDIA
“A delirious romp... reaches highs of intoxicating goofiness.” – USA Today
“Reefer Madness: The Musical broadly expands on the skeleton plot of the original film and turns it into a deliciously campy, wickedly funny romp… This show combines the main character from Godspell with the kinkiness of The Rocky Horror Show and the traditional musical theatre aesthetic of A Chorus Line.” – Strand (Toronto)
“Reefer Madness... is deliberately outlandish and silly. And that's what makes it so good... [the show includes] a dozen or so over-the-top and hilarious production numbers.” – New York Daily News
“The funniest thing to come down the pike – or the pipe – in a while.” – Backstage
“The musical stage version of Reefer Madness! really deserves to be a phenomenon unto itself. You don't even have to inhale to enjoy it.” – After Dark
Cast & Creative team
the creative team
The CAST
Director & Choreographer...........................Michael Tomlinson
Assistant Director & Co-Producer.............................Dani Boal
Music Director.....................................................Renee Davenport
Assistant Choreographer................................................Ellie Cole
Stage Manager..........................................................Ash Howland*
Lighting Designer & Special Effects.......................Will Coeur*
Costume Designer............................................Kate Kanne Smith
Sound Designer............................................Aleksandra Nagorna
Set Designer.......................................................Krister Strandskov
Props Designer & Production Manager...............Sarah Coeur*
Dramaturgy.....................................................................Colin Hogan
Artistic Director...........................................................Alex Wendel*
Technical Director...…................................…...….....Todd Warming*
Shadow Music Director....................................................Bill Dodd
The Lecturer................................Craig Petersen*
Jimmy Harper................................Travis Mitchell
Mary Lane.....................................Madison Green
Mae Coleman................................Rebecca Hunt
Sally DeBain..............................Amy Burgmeier
Ralph......................................................Eric Schutt
Jack Stone..............................................Josh King
Ensemble.....................Jordyn Nicole Johnstad
Ensemble...............................................Taylor Noe
Ensemble....................................Michael Beasley
Ensemble........................................Seth Williams
Ensemble.....................................Devon TeKolste
Ensemble......................................Marquis Bundy
*notates Iowa Stage Company Member
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Only available for Wednesday, Thursday, and matinee performances 2 hours prior to show time at the box office. Subject to availability.
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Save money with this 4 ticket package, receive priority seating, and enjoy special perks!
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$25/ticket
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Starting at 20% off
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