Next Month! “Secrets and Lies” LOTE VIII

Time: Wednesday, July 6 at 8:00pm – July 16 at 8:00pm

Location: Spectrum Theater Black Box (Room 201)
Grand Rapids, MI

2011 marks the eighth installment of Actors’ Theatre’s annual 10 minute play festival, Living on the Edge. The theme this year that writers were asked to respond to was “Secrets and Lies.” 5 original works have been selected for production in the Spectrum Theater Black Box.

FLY-OVER STATE by Joe Sanders
SPATS by Adam Pasen
THE MESMERIST by G.M. Bud Thompson
CUPID’S BEAU by Barbara Lindsay
PORCH REVIVAL by Mark Rigney

Stay tuned for announcements of directors and casts.  One month from now you’ll be able to see these plays mounted for two weekends of performances in the Spectrum Black Box.  Congratulations to all submitters, semifinalists and finalists.”

“Reefer Madness” SOLD OUT on May 28th

In this photo: Christopher Michael, Merrill Weber, Jordon Hudson, Kallie Victoria Pershon, Steven Grey, Alicia Deven Clark, Darion J Murchison, Andrea Fleming, Kristopher Bottrall / Photo Credit: Eryn Kovach of Moments in Life Photography

Reefer Madness! The Musical had sold out performances on opening night and Saturday, May 28th. The Grand Rapids Press gave Reefer Madness a 4 out of 4 star review and called it “just about as much fun as you can have without breaking the law.” Tickets for this upcoming weekend are going fast, so make your reservations today!

The box office at Spectrum Theatre is open from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and can be reached at: (616)234-3946

Or, you can order your tickets anytime online by going to our website at www.atgr.org

“Reefer Madness” in Rapid Growth Media’s G-Sync

Tommy Allen (AKA G-Sync) previews Reefer Madness! – The Musical in last week’s edition of Rapid Growth Media.

Reefer Madness!: Get A Musical Contact High

In 1936, American propaganda exploitation film Reefer Madness! hit the scene, going on to become not only one of the most important comic revelations of almost every college freshman who had just discovered the wacky weed, but also a bit of a cultural lightening rod as a war on drugs would ensue under its unbalanced weight.

The film main character is really “marijuana,” a drug known for its calming effect that, when mixed with Jazz and hormones, becomes a weaponized substance resulting in a hit and run accident, manslaughter, suicide and other acts of madness.

Over time, Reefer Madness! was re-edited and even re-titled, so it should be no surprise that a musical comedy version would be created in 2005 based on this slim-on-the-facts film.

And what fun for theatre-goers that it has been adapted for the stage, where all sorts of havoc can be created in a uniquely theatrical style.

(…read the rest of the article here, on Rapid Growth Media…)

Want to learn more? Go to the Actors’ Theatre website, or check out our Facebook page for all the latest and to see photos of the cast!

4 Out of 4 Stars! The Grand Rapids Press Review for “Reefer Madness”

Check out this fantastic review in The Grand Rapids Press on our final show of the season, Reefer Madness: The Musical!

Take a hit of ‘Reefer Madness’ at Actors’ Theatre

Photo Credit: T.J. Hamilton | The Grand Rapids Press "Reefer Madness!" at Spectrum Theater, presented by Actors' Theatre about the evils of marijuana. The cast sings the opening song 'Reefer Madness'.

By Sue Merrell | The Grand Rapids Press

Published: Friday, May 27, 2011, 12:12 AM

Actors’ Theatre’s production of “Reefer Madness” is hotter than a hit of Acapulco Gold, wilder than Woodstock and just about as much fun as you can have without breaking the law.

Thursday’s opening-night full house of about 250 thundered their approval throughout the show.

The musical satirizes a 1936 film, which was originated by a church group as a serious warning to parents about the dangers of marijuana. But there’s not a serious second in the musical’s frantic flurry of silly songs and outrageous acting. From the lecturer’s hissing admonitions between the scenes to the placard girl’s snippy warning signs, “Reefer Madness” is pure craziness. Even the wanton orgies are too overly enthusiastic to be considered titillating.

The story revolves around an innocent young couple, Jimmy (Justin Kilduff) and Mary Lane (Molly Jones). Drug pusher Jack (Stephen Grey) lures Jimmy into his Reefer Den where Jimmy meets others hooked on marijuana and embarks on a wild journey of self destruction.

(…click here to read the rest of the article on www.mlive.com…)

Opening night was a sold out show!  Tickets are still available for this weekend and next, but they are going fast!  Order yours now by clicking below:

Opening Tonight: “Reefer Madness!” Check Out This Article in The Grand Rapids Press

Actors’ Theatre’s final production of the 2010-2011 Season, Reefer Madness, was featured in The Grand Rapids Press recently. Check it out:

Actors’ Theatre brings ‘Reefer Madness’ to Grand Rapids

By Sue Merrell | The Grand Rapids Press

Published: Sunday, May 22, 2011, 6:00 AM

Photo Credit: T.J. Hamilton of the Grand Rapids Press. Over the top: Actors' Theatre will present "Reefer Madness," opening Thursday. Pictured from left, Jordan Hudson portrays Ralph, Sarah LaCroix plays Mae, Justin Kilduff is Jimmy Harper, Stephen Grey is Jack and Sarah LaJoye plays Sally.

GRAND RAPIDS — Have you heard about the menace of marijuana? According to the 1936 film “Reefer Madness,” the deadly drug is “Public Enemy Number One,” a scourge of society. Just one puff causes uncontrollable laughter, followed by emotional breakdown, violence and incurable insanity. No mention of the munchies.

Although written as a serious warning to parents, the film is so overly melodramatic that by the 1970s it had become a cult comedy, inspiring a 2001 musical satire and 2005 movie.

“It is campy, fun entertainment,” said Chris Grooms, who is directing the musical for Actors’ Theatre that opens Thursday. “But it has a history. There are factual references, statements people actually made that show how ridiculous the fears were at that time.”

The plot is similar to “The Rocky Horror Show” in that a pair of young innocents are corrupted, but in “Reefer Madness” the couple are seduced by demon weed instead of a mad scientist.

“People who like ‘Rocky Horror Show’ will like ‘Reefer Madness,’” Grooms said. “It has a similar style. Both shows go over-the-top.”

…be sure and read the rest of the article from the Grand Rapids Press, here on www.mlive.com