Reefer Madness Sally Character Analysis

One of the central characters in Reefer Madness is Sally, who in this production was played by Caroline Kirk. Sally is a bold and sexy character who serves the show by enforcing the stereotype that smoking marijuana turns otherwise good people into sex fiends that don’t take life seriously at all. She plays a central role in turning Jimmy’s life upside when pressuring him into the world of drugs and sex. Such a role requires major commitment and a willingness to be put on display. Sally is powerful and Kirk rose to the challenge with choices that were big enough to make Sally feel real in a musical as “campy” as Reefer Madness. Sally is defined from her very first moment onstage. From her first line “I was in more laps than a napkin”, Kirk
Sally and Ralph appear playing wild music and smoking before they fall in a fit of ridiculous laughter. This moment is a little less clear and feels a little less genuine that Sally’s previous events onstage. There is no real clear moment before other than the piano session and the implication this has been going on for a bit of time. The objective isn’t very clear and while Sally makes it clear she is using Ralph for the joint he has, there is very little true relationship between them. It isn’t until Sally’s baby cries again that she resumes an objective and emotional state similar to previous. When Mae asks Sally about the baby’s name, Kirk makes the choice to take more apathetic and less irritated approach to answering her question. While this choice works and makes sense, it feels somewhat rehearsed and could be stronger. The addition of a new other, Jimmy propels Sally with a new objective and motivation that leads Kirk back again into stronger choices. Her objective is very clear in these moments: to get Jimmy aroused. Her tactics are clear and bold, involving flirtation, strong physical movements and vocal choices. When Jimmy continues to resist her tactics change from using sex to using marijuana. She begins a song to pressure him into smoking and soon the others in the scene join. Throughout this, she maintains large movements centered on sex and her