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CANNABIS! A VIPER VAUDEVILLE is a genre-defying, time-traveling theatrical concert that explores the complex and storied relationship between cannabis and American culture. Blending music, dance, spoken word, and immersive design, the piece is rooted in the Hip-Hop tradition of remix and mashup, inspired by Martin A. Lee’s acclaimed book, Smoke Signals: A Social History of Marijuana.
The production moves fluidly through eras and movements—from Congo Square to Jazz Age speakeasies, from the revolutionary happenings of the ’60s to the AIDS activism of San Francisco’s Buyers Club—weaving together the music of Louis Armstrong, Bob Marley, The Beatles, and other cultural icons with stories of real-life activists such as Dennis Perron and Brownie Mary, alongside deeply personal narratives of healing, criminalization, and resistance.
Come for the stories. Stay for the party.
Join us on
Mon, April 27, 7PM – 10PM
LIFT UP!
at Nublu
151 Loisaida Ave,
Featuring songs from CANNABIS!
with Grace Galu, Baba Israel, and Duv
plus opening hip-hop act Get Open and cypher/jam session to follow
Join us on
Mon, May 4, 6:30PM Red Carpet 7pm Screening
for a special screening of
CANNABIS! A VIPER VAUDEVILLE
Featuring the show's stars and creators.
at Cinema Village
22 East 12th St, NYC
"A CALL-TO-ACTION AMERICAN HISTORY LESSON"
New York Times
"A SEDUCTIVE, TIME-TRAVELING THEATRICAL CONCERT"
Forbes
"GRACE GALU IS A MAGNETIC, POWERHOUSE VOCALIST"
New York Times
"A THRILLING VISUAL AND AURAL SPECTACLE"
Forbes
"THE SHOW'S MULTI-SENSORY APPROACH, COMBINING MUSIC, DANCE, AND THEATRICAL SPECTACLE, MIRRORS THE MULTIFACETED NATURE OF CANNABIS CULTURE ITSELF. IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT GETTING HIGH; IT'S ABOUT THE COMMUNITIES THAT FORMED AROUND THE PLANT, THE MUSIC THAT WAS CREATED UNDER ITS INFLUENCE, THE INJUSTICES COMMITTED IN ITS NAME, AND THE ONGOING FIGHT FOR EQUITY AND LIBERATION."
The Other Magazine
FRESH PRESS:
OCTOBER 8, 2025
JULY 10, 2025
JULY 7, 2025
CORE CREATIVE TEAM:
BABA ISRAEL
Concept, Writer,
"Mystical Magical M.C."
GRACE GALU
Composer
"Sativa Diva"
NIC BENACERRAF
Co-Director, Environment Designer
CHANON JUDSON
Choreographic Direction
TALVIN WILKS
Co-Director, Dramaturg