The many wonders of weed

Theater

Lisa Gauthier

The Marijuana-logues
Phoenix Theatre
Directed by Tony McDonald
Through April 9

Gayle Steigerwald, Scot Greenwell and Bryan Fonseca perform 'The Marijuana-logues' at the Phoenix Theatre.

Take a hit and pass it on. Phoenix Theatre nabbed the first non-touring rights in the country for The Marijuana-logues — it also got its artistic director, Bryan Fonseca, to take a rare turn on stage to proclaim his proliclivity for pot.

As noted by the title, The Marijuana-logues’ format is the same as The Vagina Monologues, but here the taboo subject is the many wonders of weed. Three stools, three scripts propped on music stands, three brave actors and a myriad of bead curtains and swirling lights.

Gayle Steigerwald, aka Ganga Granny, in reference to her body being a temple, declares, “I lease my body to demons for private parties.” And this, in the intimate Basile theater, feels like a private party. You can even take a seat on the stage.

“Fun facts,” stories, monologues — all recited to the glory of weed.

Fonseca, Steigerwald and Scot Greenwell are having fun on stage, even when the jokes could only be good if you were smoking the good shit. But not all the humor needs the aid of THC (the high causer). Anyone who has experienced the pot culture will get their fair share of laughs through “been there” and “yup” moments — and there are plenty of them, such as sautéed pot being called Country Crock Head Spread. Or Steigerwald cooing to a baggie of weed, or clinging to a giant pot leaf in adoration.

While the legalization of marijuana is mentioned, overall this is a feel-good show, pun intended. Sometimes, it’s good to pause while trying to change the world, and check out the webbing in between your fingers.

The Marijuana-logues, directed by Tony McDonald, continues through April 9, Thursdays at 7 p.m., Fridays-Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets are $25, $15 for ages 24 and under. For reservations, call the Phoenix, 749 N. Park Ave., at 317-635-PLAY, www.phoenixtheatre.org.