Every generation has had its cross to bear—the "Me generation" had divorce, the baby boomers had Vietnam and nuclear brinkmanship, and their parents had World War II and the Great Depression, just to name a few.

In Jennifer Berry's one-woman show, "Big Pharma," the writer/actress seeks to define Generation X's burden as being under siege by the psycho-pharmaceutical industry.

Using an effective mix of multimedia and 20 well-etched characters drawn from personal experience and interviews, Berry examines the growing power of the legal drug industry and its effect on herself, her friends and her generation.

Directed by Heidi Rose Robbins (who shaped the standout "Painted Bread," a one-woman show with local favorite Elizabeth Rainer), "Big Pharma" is quick-paced and filled with relevant details and emotional poignancy.

Excerpts from Berry's interview with a marketing account executive for a commonly prescribed antidepressant drug serve as the premise for examining the industry's "one-size fits all" strategy, its influence in Congress and with the Food and Drug Administration.

Berry's portrayal of this nasal and condescending spokeswoman is effectively intercut with personal stories that illustrate the misdiagnoses and, in many cases, the lack of diagnoses by doctors under pressure to prescribe antidepressants from health insurance agencies and malpractice insurance laws. Berry pulls no punches, and each tragedy makes its mark.

The details behind Berry's claims are well-researched, succinct and striking. Coupled with her finely tuned characterizations, they shape a powerful case against a psycho-pharmaceutical breakthrough that's way out of control.

In the course of this step-by-step indictment of America's schizophrenic approach to drugs ("Just say no" and "Ask your doctor"), we meet a host of Berry's friends and acquaintances. They include Marty, a bright guy who's stressed at work, without a meaningful relationship and generally unhappy. He sees an ad for Prozac in Cosmo. Helen is a new mom who is employed part time and always tired. She starts taking Paxil while breast-feeding her baby. Ricky is a precocious child, upset by his mother's affair, anxious at school and diagnosed as hallucinatory. He's prescribed an antidepressant, becomes listless, and is now "just like everybody else."

However, in detailing the abuses of Big Pharma, as the industry lobby is dubbed here, Berry gives short shrift to the effective uses of antidepressants. In a talk-back (Saturday nights only) that followed the performance, a couple of audience members gave examples of their own or their friends' beneficial results from the use of such medication.

And while Berry does not deny that beneficial uses exist, her argument on the abuses of antidepressants is weakened by her ignoring legitimate remedies for bona fide physical problems.

Nevertheless, Berry's "Big Pharma" stands on its own as an engaging appeal concerning a serious sociopolitical issue.

Big Pharma

3 out of 4 stars
Presented by: Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art, 1750 13th St., Boulder
Written by and starring: Jennifer Berry
Directed by: Heidi Rose Robbins
When: 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays, through April 4
Running time: 70 minutes
Tickets: $10-$14 (303-443-2122)