Posted by Eunice on November 26, 2013
School Shows
After School Program
What happens when you have fire cars driven by zombies, a giant hippo, a pretty pink boy, and socks stuffed with gummy worms onstage? You get the Loyola Park Fall Show, that’s what happens. And what a show it was!!! We had such a blast adapting these stellar stories and it was great to share then with the authors. They loved it and we loved performing for them.
Some highlights from the show:
- Linsey eating an entire whale shark while talking
- Meredith as Rapunzel, covering 711 security cameras with her weave
- Chris M. enjoying a day of science
- Jessie has a ferocious zombiebot terrorizing the Man of Iron by covering his newly ironed clothes in static cling
I could go on and on here because the show was one imganitive surprise after another!! Way to go Loyola Park. WAY.TO.GO!!
Posted by Julia on November 25, 2013
Touring Performances
It’s hard to believe, but next Monday is the LAST performance of “Chicago’s Weird, Grandma.” We’ve had a great time working on stories with so many wonderful Chicago artists, and taking us out with a bang on December 2 are About Face Theatre and The Noah Ginex Puppet Company. Just who are these fine folks? Read on…
The Noah Ginex Puppet Company was started in 1994 by Noah Ginex as a way to make money doing shows at birthday parties around the neighborhood. Between 1996 and 2001, NGPC did a pretty good business with birthday shows, before graduating to building puppets and creatures for the Chicago theater scene, then videos, films, and commercials. Hey Noah, tell us about you and what it’s like to work with the Monkeys!
Pictured: Jameson and Noah Ginex
What is it like to collaborate with the BOM team?
Working w the Monkeys is a unique experience, because its a team of performers who are complete individuals and could carry a one person show easily, but when they are together, their one goal is to make everyone else in the scene look good. They are as genuinely wonderful and helpful as they are talented.
How did you choose the story you’ll be performing?
I picked the story we’re performing by imagining what I would want to see as an audience member. I also sent the options to my puppeteering partners Adam McAleavey and Taylor Bibat, and they both agreed immediately, without knowing what I had chosen.
If your company had a “special sauce” what would be in it?
If NGPC had a special sauce, it would be heavy on the ginger, sesame, korean barbecue, peanutey, basically every sauce available, with extra nuts, and probably some orange fur stuck in it. It might taste great, it might taste bad, but at least it’s sauce and we can eat it.
Thanks Noah! Next up…About Face Theatre!
Pictured: Scott Duff and Philip Dawkins
About Face Theatre creates exceptional, innovative, and adventurous plays to advance the national dialogue on gender and sexual identity, and to challenge and entertain audiences in Chicago, across the country, and around the world. Since its founding in 1995, the company has premiered more than 45 world premieres by writers and directors who have been recognized with several Tony Awards, The Pulitzer Prize for Drama, The MacArthur Fellowship and dozens of Joseph Jefferson Awards.
Scott Duff from About Face answered a few quick questions for us…
What is it like to collaborate with the BOM team?
Collaborating with BOM is like jumping into a ball pit at Chuck E. Cheese except much cleaner and the ball out is filled with galumphing baby gorillas. Pure joy and creativity.
How did you choose the story you’ll be performing?
Molly made us do it.
If About Face had a “special sauce” what would be in it?
I’m not sure what all of components are but there is definitely a whole lot of glitter in it with a smattering of bitter tears and belly fire.
Thanks fellas! Get your tickets here for Monday December 2, 8 p.m. at the Neo-Futurarium. And don’t worry, “That’s Weird, Grandma” returns on December 9 with the Holiday Round!
Posted by Molly on November 24, 2013
That's Weird Grandma
TWG Weekly Update
Barrel of Monkeys’ Founding Artistic Director and current Artistic Director of The Hypocrites HALENA KAYS directs The Hypocrites’ contribution to “Chicago’s Weird, Grandma”.
THE HAMBURGER IS A MONSTER #2 by Kevin N., Columbia Explorer’s Academy
I couldn’t believe it, a hamburger talking. I thought hamburgers don’t talk. “I need your help” said hamburger. Hamburgers don’t talk they only stay quite. “Yeah but don’t get scared of me, okay?” said hamburger. “Okay” and “okay” “What’s your name?” I said. “Ham” said hamburger. THE END
Say “Ham” at the Box Office for discounted tickets.
Posted by Eunice on November 23, 2013
After School Program
Today in rehearsal it struck me that with Turkey Day just around the corner, we BOM folk have so much to be thankful for!
Personally, I’m very thankful to be part of the Loyola Park fall show. I’m thankful that the authors from the after school program have provided us with such rich stories to sink our teeth into. I’m thankful that everyone in the cast gets to play a variety of roles and have a blast while doing so. Most of all, I’m thankful to be part of an organization that empowers young writers to put pen to paper and let their imaginations flow out.
We’re all feeling pumped for Monday’s show at Loyola Park! The stage will be filled with a little bit of song and dance, lots of creativity, and tons and tons of gratitude:)
Posted by Julia on November 20, 2013
Touring Performances
The fun doesn’t stop with “Chicago’s Weird, Grandma!” We have two performances left, and next week on Monday November 25 we’re joined by the one, the only, The Hypocrites! BOM loves The Hypos always, but our blood runs especially thick as their artistic director, Halena Kays, is a co-founder and former artistic director of Barrel of Monkeys. Halena took a few moments out of her play-making life to answer a few questions for us.
How did you choose the story you’ll be performing?
We will choose our story based on initial group gut reaction- we live on the edge.
What is it like to collaborate with the BOM team?
Collaborating with BOM is like having a family reunion, assuming your family is super weird and own a lot of funny hats.
If the Hypocrites had a “special sauce” what would be in it?
The Hypocrites’ special sauce is part visual treat, part absurdity and mostly bananas.
The Hypocrites chose the story THE HAMBURGER IS A MONSTER #2 by Kevin N., from Columbia Explorer’s Academy
I couldn’t believe it, a hamburger talking. I thought hamburgers don’t talk. “I need your help” said hamburger. Hamburgers don’t talk they only stay quite. “Yeah but don’t get scared of me, okay?” said hamburger. “Okay” and “okay” “What’s your name?” I said. “Ham” said hamburger. THE END
Don’t be a Hamburglar - get your tickets for next Monday here!
