Reefer is Smokin’
Posted by curiouserx2 on April 30, 2009
I’ll say it.
Our. Show. Rocks.
After last night’s final dress rehearsal, there’s no doubt in my mind that we’re going to knock it into the stands this weekend (and next, for that matter). The only linch pin left is Jesus – we’re still having complications with his entrance, and it’s questionable at this point whether we’re going to be able to pull the stunt off. And yet – no one’s giving up on it, so don’t be surprised when he comes flying in.
And while it felt heart-poundingly thrilling to hit that chilling final chord at the finale last night, the real high point of the evening was during the pre-run talk that our director, Michael, gave. Apparently, the Center Stage Players’ website had received an email that he wanted to share with us.
I don’t know about everyone else, but I was expecting some nice little “go get ‘em” note from someone who’d reviewed the show or a family member or something. What we got instead was this:
Dear CSP,
I’m Harry Murphy, one of the original cast of “Reefer Madness” out here in Los Angeles. Dan Studney forwarded us the promo video for your production,
and I’m writing to say it made me laugh until I hurt. A lot. Well done, and knock ‘em dead.
- all the best, Harry Murphy
If you’re not a hardcore fan of the musical and/or movie, you wouldn’t know the significance of this. But as most of us either were or have become seriously enamoured with Reefer Madness, we all knew that we’d just received an email from the original Lecturer, and the video had been forwarded to him by none other than the show’s composer (who also served as screenwriter, executive producer and composer for the movie version).
The cast was floored, and honored to be a blip on the radar of people for whom we hold high esteem. Think of it this way: Martin Scorsese calls to tell you he digs the remake of “Raging Bull” you filmed on your dad’s Super 8 camera and posted on YouTube.
With that little blessing, everyone mustered the energy to give Michael one hell of a final dress. Flying Jesus or no – we’re ready for the audience.
Bring it.
~a
Jesus in the rafters... Will he fly on opening night?
