Even if you don’t have fond flashback memories of the late Joan Schirle in the role of Mary Jane and the music from the 2011 production of Mary Jane the Musical, I highly recommend seeing Mary Jane the Musical 2: The Grandson at the outdoor Dell’Arte Amphitheater stage in Blue Lake. (Dress warmly, bring a chair or blanket.)
The sold-out opening night crowd enjoyed the timely, very funny and heart-tugging social commentary about Humboldt County cannabis life, the complicated Jane family histories and the challenges of a polyamorous love life, all mixed into this musical written by Michael Fields. The show is co-directed by Roman Sanchez and Fields, and uses only a single painted backdrop and a large rocky ledge on the stage. Lots of dancing and 12 original songs with great lyrics performed by members of the highly talented ensemble cast were supported by the lively, outstanding soundtrack created by the Best Band Ever, featuring Tim Randles, Marla Joy, Jeff Kelley and Mike LaBolle.
As for the plot, Mary Jane’s grandson Billy Jane, or “BJ” (William English III) can’t afford to keep his inherited land in SoHum anymore, given the current decline in the cannabis economy. BJ is also entangled in polyamory problems with three live-in girlfriends (Shawn Wagner, Laura Murillo Hart and Lily Linz). Having decided he must give up the land, BJ throws a party to share the news with Jane family relatives and others he’s met in his life working cannabis, including a county supervisor Tex Boner (Ben Clifton), county planning director Dana Chevy (Alyssa Hughlett) and her planning director in training Buick Chevy (Hughlett’s young daughter E.G.). BJ’s Aunt Yoni Jane (Peggy Metzger) and Marcia (Zera Starchild) are also in the mix.
Fields’ creative mind has birthed a fast-flowing, highly entertaining mix of plot twists and surprises, including a plan to grow psychedelic mushrooms to save the farm proposed by BJ’s first cousin Dante Jane (Evan Grande). Then, a mysterious midwife named Marie Devereaux (Cynthia Martells) arrives at the party to provide magical help to resolve everyone’s troubles and make some deliveries.
Among the local songwriters are Anna Hamilton, Joni Rose, Daryll Cherney, Michael “Tofu” Schwartz, Marcia Mendels and Chris Manspeaker, Starchild, Seabury Gould, Chad Johnson, Brian Lease and Bridget McCracken, Elizabeth Mackay, Jeff Kelley and Randles. Linnie Horrigan is scenographer mentor, Melanie Zapper is scenic designer and lighting designer is Mike “Spike” Foster, with choreography by Wagner.
This rollicking show is the opening event of the Baduwa’t Festival and is a special co-production between Dell’Arte International and Fields’ Longshadr Productions. See the festival schedule at dellarte.com/baduwat.
Mary Jane the Musical 2: The Grandson continues June 26, 27 and 28, and July 3 and 5 at 8 p.m. Visit dellarte.com or call (707) 668-5663.
Mark Larson (he/him) is a retired Cal Poly Humboldt journalism professor and active freelance photographer who likes to walk.
NOW PLAYING
Ferndale Repertory Theatre’s production of The Music Man continues through June 28. Visit ferndalerep.org or call (707) 786-5483.
EXIT Theatre’s Short Play Festival runs through June 27 with 12 selected pieces from local and international playwrights. Visit theexit.org or call (415) 203-2516.
This article appears in Miranda’s Rescue Under Scrutiny, Part 2.