“Pharmasphere” by Pedro Reyes, July 19, 2013

Pedro Reyes stages “Pharmasphere,” a theatrical history of the production, distribution and consumption of prescription and illegal drugs in the Americas from prohibition times to the present day. Performers playing farmers, gangsters, drug lords, politicians, soldiers, doctors, and pharmacists demonstrate how the chemicals that we consume connect and impact us all. Reyes engages the audience with issues that are too often avoided or filtered to us through the perspectives of the media, politicians and corporations. Audience members help shape the narrative as it is performed. “Pharmasphere” is the first iteration of a workshop and performance that form part of “The People’s UN (pUN),” an exhibition and event by Pedro Reyes at Queens Museum, New York.

Funded by the generous support of members of the Contemporary Visiting Committee.