Kevin Murphy
Author/Lyricist

(click this hyperlink for his bio)

Dan Studney
Author/Composer

(click this hyperlink for his bio)

Andy Fickman
Director

Andy's proud to continue his association with REEFER MADNESS, which swept the Los Angeles Drama Critics, Backstage West Garland, and Ovation awards.  Andy garnered "Best Director" honors from each organization.  He recently completed production on his directorial feature film debut based on his screenplay WHO'S YOUR DADDY? for Middle Fork Productions.  Andy has set up at Middle Fork POOL RATS and SMITTEN, both feature comedies he wrote and will direct.  Andy is currently writing the sci-fi western MEXICAN HAT for Middle Fork.  He recently closed a deal to write and direct the VH-1 Original Film, IT'S ONLY ROCK 'N' ROLL.  Additionally, Andy is writing and directing the family feature comedy, PET SHRINK for Crusader Entertainment.  Andy is also serving as Executive Producer on Paramount's thriller, THE SOMNAMBULIST.  Andy directed the world premieres of THE GIFT, THE MARRIEDS, and WE THE PEOPLE.  Additional regional credits include FORTINBRAS GETS DRUNK, DAY ROOM, J.B., and A WEEKEND NEAR MADISON.  A co-founder and director of the award-winning Fountainhead Theatre Company, co-creator of the improv company WIHOUT ANNETTE, and an associate producer on Columbia Pictures' ANACONDA, Andy's current projects include writing the screenplay DARKNESS RUNNING for Columbia Pictures, prepping the television pilot SKIRTS starring Paula Abdul for MTV, and developing a half-hour sitcom for 20th Century Fox.  Previously, Andy served as Vice President for Bette Midler's All Girl Productions where he was the Executive on the critically acclaimed GYPSY, HOCUS POCUS, and the Chevy Chase/Jonathan Taylor Thomas hit Disney film, MAN OF THE HOUSE.  Before working with Bette, Andy was Vice President of Development for Gene Wilder's Pal-Mel Productions.  While there, he worked on Tri-Star's ANOTHER YOU and Paramount Picture's FUNNY ABOUT LOVE.  Andy continues to enjoy his collaborations with Kevin and Dan as they move towards bringing REEFER MADNESS to the big screen next year.

Paula Abdul
Choreography

Paula's extraordinary musical career is exemplified by two #1 albums, six #1 singles, a Grammy Award, seven MTV Awards, three Emmy Awards, two People's Choice Awards, and worldwide album sales exceeding 30 million. Her career as a choreographer began when she was selected to choreograph for the L.A. Lakers basketball team, where her dynamic and unique dance style revolutionized cheerleading within the industry. Quickly recognized as one of the most talented new choreographers in Hollywood, Paula went on to choreograph dances and videos for Janet Jackson, George Michael, and Duran Duran, among many others. She has been the choreographer for TV shows such as "The Tracy Ullman Show" (Emmy Award), events like the Academy Awards telecast (Emmy Award), and major motion pictures including COMING TO AMERICA, JERRY MCGUIRE, and AMERICAN BEAUTY. Paula made her adult acting debut in the ABC TV movie "Touched by Evil," and has made appearances on "Spin City," "The Wayans Bros.," "Saturday Night Live," and "Sabrina The Teenage Witch." Paula is currently working on SKIRTS, a pilot for MTV, which she is creating with Andy Fickman. Paula may currently be seen enduring horrendous singers on FOX's AMERICAN IDOL.

Walt Spangler
Set Designer

NYC: Atlantic Theater Company: THE WATER ENGINE, MR. HAPPINESS, THE HOTHOUSE, MOJO, EVENING OF SHEL. MTC: EYES FOR CONSUELA. Playwrights Horizons: THE WAX. Primary Stages: THIS LIME TREE BOWER, HIGH LIFE. Bluelight: ADAM BAUM'S Regional: Ahmanson: Hal Prince's 3HREE; The Goodman: BLUE SURGE dir. by Robert Falls; Shakespeare Theater, CenterStage, Long Wharf, Hartford Stage, Dallas Theater Center, Yale Rep, Actors Theater of Louisville, ACT, Goodspeed. MFA: Yale School of Drama.

Dick Magnanti
Costume Designer

Dick is a graduate of the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising. His theater credits are THREE MEN ON A HORSE, HOTEL PARADISO, MIRACLE WORKER, MODIGLIANI, FIREBUGS (Dramalogue Award), FEATURING LORETTA, PROBLEM CHILD, MAMET MATTERS, KING LEVINE, MADMAN AND THE NUN, REEFER MADNESS (L.A.-Ovation Award), THE APOLLO OF BELLAC, THE GIFT, and LAURA. TV credits include the mini-series "Dawn of Our Nation" and the children's television show "Alf...Bet...Blast-Off!"

Robert Perry
Lighting Designer

Off-B'way: AN ADULT EVENING WITH SHEL SILVERSTEIN, THE WATER ENGINE (Drama Desk nom.), MR. HAPPINESS, SEXUAL PERVERSITY IN CHICAGO, DUCK VARIATIONS, THE HOTHOUSE (Atlantic Theatre Co.), FOR COLORED GIRLS WHO HAVE CONSIDERED SUICIDE WHEN THE RAINBOW IS ENUF (American Place), KINGDOM OF EARTH (Drama Dept.). Regional: La Jolla Playhouse, Shakespeare Theatre, Hartford Stage, Intiman Theatre, Dallas Theatre Center, Studio Arena Theatre, California Shakespeare Festival, Geva Theatre, Yale Repertory. Future projects: DROWNING CROW (Goodman Theatre). MFA: Yale School of Drama. BFA: North Carolina School of the Arts.

Lew Mead
Sound Designer

Lew's sound design credits include RUGRATS: A MUSICAL ADVENTURE, BUTTONS ON BROADWAY, MAYOR, BEEHIVE, BOOTH, A LITTLE LIKE MAGIC, ONWARD VICTORIA, DO BLACK PATENT LEATHER SHOES REALLY REFLECT UP?, THE WONDER YEARS, ITALIAN FUNERALS AND OTHER FESTIVE OCCASIONS, THE KING AND I (with Tony Meola), and, most recently, THE ADVENTURES OF TOM SAWYER.

David Manning
Musical Director

David has kept himself busy with a variety of different musical pursuits. He has music-directed shows such as THE GIFT and the Los Angeles production of REEFER MADNESS, the latter earning him both a Garland Award and an LA Drama Critics Award for Best Musical Direction. He has composed original music for commercials, plays, and a whole host of B-movies. David would like to thank his family, friends, and loved ones for their support.

Ritchard Druther
Production Stage Manager

Ritchard is thrilled to be back in the Reefer Den. NY/Regional: RETURN TO THE FORBIDDEN PLANET, BLOOD ORGY OF THE CARNIVAL QUEENS, STARMITES, STARMITES 2001, FLANNIGAN'S DREAM, LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS. Los Angeles: REEFER MADNESS, BERLIN CIRCLE, THE GIFT. Special thanks to Andy, Kevin and Dan. Hey D.

Shelley Ott
Assistant Stage Manager

Shelley most recently worked as the assistant company manager of THE ADVENTURES OF TOM SAWYER. A graduate of Ohio Wesleyan University, Shelley has worked at NAMCO, Ohio Ballet, and the Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival, to name a few places. Special thanks to her family and friends for their support.

Jim Carnahan
Casting

Jim also serves as Roundabout Theater Company's Director of Artistic Development. Shows cast for Roundabout include CABARET, ASSASINS, THE WOMEN, FOLLIES, MAJOR BARBARA, SIDE MAN, A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE, 1776. Other Broadway: NOISES OFF, INTO THE WOODS, THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE, THE ADVENTURES OF TOM SAWYER, TRUE WEST, COPENHAGEN.

James L. Nederlander
Producer

James is the grandson of David T. Nederlander and son of James M. Nederlander, is the third generation of the celebrated family known worldwide for outstanding theatrical productions, cultural presentations, and popular musical attractions. Mr. Nederlander's many producing credits include Paul Simon and Derek Walcott's THE CAPEMAN, The Royal Shakespeare Company's A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM, RAY DAVIES: 20TH CENTURY MAN, and TALLULAH!, starring Kathleen Turner. He was associate producer of Peter Brook's THE TRAGEDY OF CARMEN (recipient of a special Tony Award), and co-producer of Natalie Makarova's tour of ON YOUR TOES, and of CHECKMATES, starring Ruby Dee and Denzel Washington. Mr. Nederlander has also produced Billy Joel, U2, and Pink Floyd concerts at Yankee Stadium; Natalie Merchant at the Neil Simon Theatre; and Raffi on Broadway. Future productions include a live show with magician David Blaine. REEFER MADNESS marks Mr. Nederlander's first commercial off-Broadway production.

Verna Harrah
Producer

Verna is the Founder and Chairman of Middle Fork Productions in Los Angeles. One of the first scripts Harrah purchased and developed with her staff was ANACONDA. It was later produced by Columbia Pictures and became one of the top 25 grossing films of 1997. Most recently, Harrah's company completed two motion pictures, the first being the highly anticipated teen comedy WHO'S YOUR DADDY?, the feature film debut of director Andy Fickman. Hannah's other feature, VACUUMS, is a rhythmical comedy written and directed by Luke Cresswell and Steve McNicholas, the creators of the international hit STOMP. She is co-producing VACUUMS with Quincy Jones Media Group. Harrah is also producing two musical documentaries: GOOD ROCKIN' TONIGHT about the famous recording label Sun Records; and SWEET SOUL MUSIC, which explores the history of soul music and the impact Ahmet Ertegun had on this musical form. Harrah's next projects include ANACONDA 2 and Andy Fickman's DARKNESS RUNNING, both with Columbia Pictures.

Stephanie Steele and
Dead Old Man Productions
Producer

STEPHANIE STEELE is the point producer for DEAD OLD MAN PRODUCTIONS, a producing partnership comprised of herself, director Andy Fickman, authors Kevin Murphy and Dan Studney, and theatre owner Gary Blumsack. Stephanie is a graduate of The Goodman School of Drama/The Theatre School of DePaul University. Chicago producing credits include the '93 and '94 AIDS Foundation of Chicago Benefits, through which she worked with Elton John and Joel Grey; plus two seasons of the OZ Park Summer Theater Festival, where the lineup included MEASURE FOR MEASURE, OUR TOWN, and A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE.  Los Angeles producing credits include: WE THE PEOPLE, IT'S WONDERFUL BEING A GIRL, DENYING PARK AVENUE, SCIENCE FAIR and the interactive musical CLUB DISCO. As one of the producers of REEFER MADNESS, Stephanie was a recipient of the 1999 Ovation Award for Best Musical, the 1999 Garland Award for Outstanding Production and the 1999 Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Musical. She currently resides in Manhattan, where she is developing new stage and film projects with producing partner Stefanie Ziev and working as a producer on Oxygen's THE ISAAC MIZRAHI SHOW.