PLANT OF THE PEOPLE to Play Joe's Pub at The Public Theater

Plant Of The People, the critically-acclaimed theatrical concert formerly titled Cannabis! A Viper Vaudeville, will return to New York City for two performances at Joe's Pub at The Public Theater on September 16 and 17 at 9:30 p.m.

Reviews from the 2022 production:  

"A call-to-action American history lesson"…"Grace Galu is a magnetic, powerhouse vocalist."         - The New York Times

"A seductive, time-traveling theatrical concert"..."a thrilling visual and aural spectacle."
- Forbes

These performances mark the latest stage in the development of the show, first presented by HERE Arts Center at La MaMa's Ellen Stewart Theater in 2022. The creators are currently developing Plant Of The People toward a commercial Off-Broadway production. 

At Joe's Pub, members of the cast and band will perform songs from the show and share new work in progress. The 75-minute performances will also feature special guest speakers and artists, along with opportunities for audience participation.

Martin A. Lee — bestselling author of Smoke Signals, the book that inspired the show — will reflect on the rich history of cannabis in New York City and on the current state of cannabis, under the evening’s theme Smoke & Mirrors. Lee reflects,“The campaign to legalize the weed, beginning in NYC in the mid-1960s, wasn't single-issue focused at the outset. It was part of a broad social justice tapestry that's embedded in the DNA of cannabis culture, which thrives despite decades of official hostility and misinformation.”  Tosin Ajayi, a passionate cannabis equity advocate and force for policy reform in NYC  will also speak to the evening's theme. 

Each evening will end on a high, with a participatory cypher led by Baba Israel, featuring special guest rappers: Aneesa Nael Folds (Sept. 16) and Nory (Sept. 17).

Plant Of The People writer Baba Israel guides our way as Magical Mystical MC, joined by the show's composer Grace Galu as Sativa Diva and Jonathan “Duv” Zaragoza as The Hipster Trickster, backed by a live band featuring Robert Knowles on keyboards, Sean Nowell on sax, flute and synthesizers, Osei Kweku on bass and vocals, and Juan Carlos Polo on drums.

Plant of the People explores the social history of cannabis around the world, including its history in the United States, decades of prohibition and the activists and artists involved in the legalization movement. Through music and theatrical storytelling, the work examines the racial and social consequences of cannabis criminalization while celebrating the communities and culture that developed around the plant.

Writer Baba Israel leads the show as the Magical Mystical MC, with composer Grace Galu as Sativa Diva and Jonathan "Duv" Zaragoza as The Hipster Trickster. The band features Robert Knowles on keyboards, Sean Nowell on saxophone, woodwinds and synthesizers, Osei Kweku on bass and Juan Carlos Polo on drums.

The full production was directed by Talvin Wilks and features choreography and embodied storytelling performed by Chanon Judson. Dancers also include: Mame Diarra Speis, Twice Light Adelaja, Courtney Cook and Synead Nichols. Nic Benacerraf provides environmental design, including projections by Tony Award nominee David Bengali.

Executive producer Jonathan Mann and the creative team  welcome potential co-producers, investors and sponsors to reach out if interested in getting involved, as development of the project continues. 

Plant of the People will play Joe's Pub at The Public Theater, 425 Lafayette Street, on Wednesday, September 16 and Thursday, September 17 at 9:30 p.m.

A limited number of comps and a discount code are both currently available. To access either, email vipervaudeville@gmail.com    

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