Here is the mother lode of off-Broadway shows cum cable cult classics. About halfway through the soundtrack to Reefer Madness: The Movie Musical, you realize you are hearing the best thing to hit the Great White Way -- and the Showtime cable television -- since Little Shop of Horrors, only this is far funnier, raunchier, and way more subversive. Kevin Murphy and Dan Studney are this production's Menken and Ashman, but the show itself is the star. And the disc dedicated to the movie soundtrack is definitely the highlight: starring the divine Kristen Bell (who can do no wrong) in one of her best roles, Christian Campbell, Ana Gasteyer, and Amy Spanger among a perfectly picked and perfectly pitched ensemble cast, director Andy Fickman's interpretation of the story of two teenagers pulled into a ludicrous plot of "hooligans and whores" on account of the "demon weed" is spot-on. Even the timing of the dialogue between the musical numbers is flawless. This is a phenomenal cast performing a remarkable musical under the guidance of a peerless director. For comparison's sake, there is also the original Los Angeles cast recording (produced by none other than Lee Curreri). The show is unfortunately not as complete here -- certain numbers needed to be switched around and changed -- and the comparison of the two discs is a great way to see the right way to go about doing things. The best part about the album is that it serves as a reminder of a great musical motion picture event -- one that, in a perfect world, should still become a midnight phenomenon someday. Seriously, this thing is a gold mine. There is not a bad song, casting choice, or incorrect line delivery made in the bunch. It's as close to a perfect musical movie soundtrack as you could come. There is also one more piece of evidence of Murphy and Studney's talent, "Weather Changes," a bonus track from another project of theirs, revealing all of the musicality, wit, and emotion that make Reefer Madness: The Movie Musical the greatest musical achievement of its generation. One hopes it's not too long before the next Murphy and Studney opus. --All Music Guide

Featuring the Tracks:

Disc 1
1 Opening Fanfare 0:22
2 Reefer Madness 3:07
3 Romeo & Juliet 2:18
4 The Stuff 2:16
5 Down At The Ol' Five And Dime 4:07
6 Jimmy Takes a Hit/The Orgy 6:24
7 Lonely Pew 2:41
8 Listen to Jesus, Jimmy 3:57
9 Mary Jane/Mary Lane 6:12
10 The Brownie Song 1:16
11 Little Mary Sunshine 3:11
12 Mary's Death 1:30
13 Murder! 5:20
14 The Stuff Reprise 2:49
15 Tell 'Em The Truth 5:47
16 Reefer Madness End Credits 2:57
17 Romeo & Juliet Bonus Track / Karaoke Version / Instrumental / Version 1:55
18 The Stuff Bonus Track / Karaoke Version / Instrumental / Version 2:17
19 Lonely Pew Bonus Track / Karaoke Version / Instrumental / Version 2:41
20 The Brownie Song Bonus Track / Karaoke Version / Instrumental / Version 1:15
21 Little Mary Sunshine Bonus Track / Karaoke Version / Instrumental / Version 3:11

Disc 2
1 Reefer Madness 3:34
2 Romeo and Juliet 2:14
3 The Stuff 1:58
4 Down at the Ol' Five and Dime 4:42
5 Jimmy Takes a Hit 1:49
6 The Orgy 4:55
7 Listen to Jesus, Jimmy 3:53
8 Dead Old Man 3:11
9 Act One Finale 2:26
10 Jimmy on the Lam 1:25
11 The Monkey Song 2:53
12 Lullabye 0:59
13 Little Mary Sunshine 3:21
14 The Trial 2:45
15 Listen to Jesus, Jimmy Reprise 1:27
16 The Stuff Reprise 2:18
17 Finale: Reefer Madness! 1:23
18 We Know Best Bonus Track 4:02
19 Weather Changes From Valley of the Kings 4:22

Music by Dan Studney
Lyrics by Kevin Murphy & Dan Studney
Book by David Rodgers & Dan Studney
Produced by Glenn Morgan, Lee Curreri
Orchestrations by Gary Chase, Milton Nelson, Benoit Gray, Charles Fernandez

Featuring Kristen Bell, Alan Cumming, Christian Campbell, Ana Gasteyer, Amy Spanger and more