I have never walked into a performance more blindly than I did for the IU Department of Theatre, Drama and Contemporary Dance’s production of “Reefer Madness.” I hadn’t heard of the musical with a cult following until that one 25Th anniversary concert in Los Angeles this summer.

The musical, directed by IU assistant professor Richard Roland, is a satire of the 1936 propaganda film of the same title. The show follows Jimmy Harper and Mary Lane, an all-American high school couple who end up hooking up with “reefer”. It’s a totally crazy story and I’m glad I caught this one.

The original 1936 film was intended to instill fear in youth regarding marijuana use. Over the years, the film has turned into an irony cult classicwhich became popular in the 1970s. Referred to by Danny Peary, author of the book Cult Movies, as “the ultimate camp movie,” Reefer Madness was turned into a musical in 1998, opening at the Hudson Backstage Theater in Los Angeles.

The performance begins with the lecturer, played by senior musical theater major Jeremy Clark, sternly informing the audience about a new drug craze: marijuana, or as he pronounces it, “marijuana.” He spreads his propaganda in the form of a play starring members of the fictional Benjamin Harrison High School Drama Club.

Clark is the perfect choice for this role, a master of the transatlantic accent and a performer who, in each change of character, transforms himself. Yes, he plays the lecturer, but he’s also Mr. Poppy – the owner of the local teenage hangout Five and Dime – and President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, to name a few surprise cameos. His performance in the title number is ominous, perfectly preparing the audience for the intense and menacing yet fun tone of the show.

The musical follows Jimmy, played by senior musical theater major Marco Molldrem, as he descends into a marijuana addiction. Lured by drug pusher Jack, he ends up in a seedy cold den with a strange cast of characters including ex-college kid Ralph and absent mother Sally. At the end of the first act, Jimmy steals money from the church, abuses a puppy, and worst of all, tries to kiss Mary with his tongue.

These exaggerated moments are expertly handled by Molldrem, whose facial expressions are hilarious and whose tenor belt is out of this world. He makes it look so easy. My favorite moment from him was his ethical struggle in the song “Mary Jane/Mary Lane,” where he runs around the stage pledging his love for the ever-sweet Mary Lane and denouncing reefer. At the end of the day, all he wanted was at the beginning of the show swing dance lessons.

The drug-dealing couple, Jack and Mae, are portrayed by fellow musical theater major Seth Jacobsen and junior musical theater major Lucy Ferguson. Their chemistry, though clouded by Jack’s abusive nature, has a vintage feel reminiscent of a 1930s movie couple. Jack targets younger victims like Jimmy, while Mae wants to keep the clientele adult. In the song “The Stuff”, Ferguson shines and sings about wanting to leave Jack, even though her desire for coolers keeps her with him. I am personally obsessed with Ferguson’s voice. She is clearly a powerhouse, and I can’t wait to see what comes next.

Jacobson does double duty as he portrays Jesus in the number “Listen to Jesus, Jimmy.” He is backed by a choir of angels while wearing a fishnet top and leather pants. It’s the purest form of camp to watch, and Jacobson treats the number with the utmost respect.

Musical theater senior Laura Rong is a pure joy to watch as she embodies Mary Lane. She is wide-eyed and innocent, the perfect contrast to Molldrem’s savage portrayal of Jimmy. Her acting when she takes a simple song like “Lonely Pew”, elevates it to a number that stands out and had the whole audience giggling. Rong is more than just Lane’s sweet side, in Act II after accidentally inhaling the cooler: She does a complete 180 that’s empowering and humorous.

For Rong, this role was a big step.

“I always saw myself doing ensemble work,” she said. “When I got this role, it was a bit of impostor syndrome”.

Rong said, with the support of the IU Musical Theater faculty, she could fully embody the role of Mary Lane.

“I’ve had connections with everyone on our creative team,” Rong said. “With Ray (Fellman) our music director, with DJ (Gray) our choreographer and with Rich (Roland) our director. I feel supported as a young artist who is still growing, but also in my private life, in my training and in my education”.

Rong shared a saying her mother often tells her, which is true after watching this performance.

“Every minute an artist spends on stage is 10 years of work behind the scenes,” Rong’s mother said

Musical theater junior Mia Stewart, who plays the dance lyricist and poster girl, is a great example of the hard work behind the scenes. In addition to her ensemble work, she comes on stage with humorous signs, one that says “Reefer makes you sell your babies.” It’s not just the signs that do the job, Stewart’s face is delightfully dead and at the end of the show she rips her face off.

Stewart and Rong agreed the purpose of the director of IU’s BFA Musical Theater Program, DJ Gray’s choreography is to tell a story. Each song is extremely different in tone, leading to a plethora of dance styles.

“I really worked hard to make sure everyone was on the same page about how the choreography should not only look but feel in your body,” Stewart said. “I’ll be standing outside somewhere waiting for the bus and I’ll just move, it’s a good way to remember the choreography”.

Rong shared his hopes for what audiences can take away from Reefer Madness.

“I really hope people have a good time. That way, it really honors the joy we’ve had in this process,” she said. “Yes, we’re doing this for ourselves and for our community, but it’s great when people leave our show feeling happy to have spent the night with us.”

Reefer Madness is a wild fever dream of a show and the perfect way to spend your next theater experience.

The show runs now through November 2nd at the Ruth N. Halls Theatre. Tickets are available atTicketmaster website.