Posted by Molly on November 18, 2013
That's Weird Grandma
TWG Weekly Update
Four brand-new stories are on the Grandma stage tonight, freshly devised by the 16-memer cast.
THE VERY BAD MONKEY by Blanca B., Columbia Explorer’s Academy
There was a monkey and he did not like children or people. So when he saw a window open in a classroom he went inside. He started bothering them. He started jumping around and knocking down their own stuff. Then the teacher started whacking him with a broom. Then the broom fell and the monkey started whacking the teacher with the broom. Everything in the classroom was on the floor when the principal went inside and he found a big mess and when he walked in the monkey hid. All the kids were crying. So the teacher got fired and she never got to be a teacher anymore and the monkey started laughing with joy and when the principal walked out and the monkey left and never came back. The End.
SHOOTING STAR
By Shonell P., Paderewski Elementary
One day a boy named Adam lived a normal life. He looked out his bed room window. He missed his Mom. She died two weeks ago. Then he saw a shooting star. He made a wish his Mom was still alive. Then two minutes later it was a crash somewhere and the ground shaked like a earthquake. It looks like a yellow star by the forest called Forest Under the Stars. He went there. He picked it up and said he will never get his Mom back then he cried. Then he heard a soft voice. He looked up and it was his Mom. He dropped the star and ran to her and hugged her. The End.
THE SUPER HERO STATUE
By Juan, Davey, Miguel, JD, Mary, Jaqueline, Jasmine, Lorca Elementary
Once upon a time there was the Statue of Liberty. The Statue of Liberty was alive but nobody knew it. He lived in a wooden cabin in the ice. He wanted to buy a super hero, and a super dog. But he didn’t have enough money. So he started doing chores. To get money. Like walking the dog, and working out, and he got enough money to buy the super hero and the dog. He was happy and excited. THE END
UNTITLED (COWBOY AND HORSE) by Charlie Duncan, Loyola Park After School Program
Once upon a time a cowboy named Spurs rode his horse. Then he said “Yee-ho” and his horse galloped thorugh the woods and there the horse stopped. He saw a very beautiful white horse. Spurs’ horse snorted. The beautiful white horse snorted. Spurs thought they were talking to each other, but hen Spurs’ horse bucked him off without warning him. They rode off. Spurs said “Stupid Horse he bucked me off then rode off. Stupid horse HE BETRAYED ME!” Spurs waited and waited, but he never came back. The End!
This week’s “Chicago’s Weird, Grandma” features return champion Jyldo with her hit “Alien and Human”. Enjoy this conversation through dance tonight!
THE ALIEN AND THE HUMAN by Jonathan and Nicholas Columbia Explorer’s Academy
Setting: MarsPerson: What in the world is going on (scared)
Alien: Binga la minga. We will come and destroy this world. (mad)
One Day Later
Person: Well, if you do that can you at least knock me out. (yell)
Alien: I told you we were going to destroy the world. Here comes my UFO’s.
Human: Fight me or I get the Rocket Launcher. (brave)
Alien: Ok, if I win I take you with me. (laugh)
Human: If I win you become our slaves. (evil)
Person: (punches Alien in peace) (Alien forfeits) (And loses)
Alien: I knew I was going to lose. Plus I should have picked the rocket launcher.
THE END
Say “Binga La Minga” at the box office tonight for discounted tickets!!
Posted by Eunice on November 17, 2013
School Shows
After School Program
A wave of high energy took us from our first school show right into rehearsals for the second one of the year. This time we’re showcasing the work of the brilliant young authors in the Loyola Park After School Program. We are so impressed by the variety of stories and the incredibly imaginative voice of each author. Because the Loyola Park students have written stories from a range of genres, this is sure to be a fun and dynamic show. With topics from science to zombies to dating, we’re getting ready for one wild adventure after the other!
Check out how much fun we had reading and adapting stories at our first rehearsal.
Posted by Bradford on November 15, 2013
School Shows
Boy, oh boy.. I am beat. But it’s the best kind of tired in the world yall. We just finished the first show of the year at the Federico Garcia Lorca school and it was a blast. It was great to see the kiddos again, and I was crazy proud of them for being an amazing audience and cheering, even if their stories were not performed. Well done my friends, well done. And after 18 hours of hard work, by an amazing cast, led by our fearless director Molly B, the show flew by once we hit the stage. Such is life in the theater, fleeting moments that can create memories that last a life time.
So to the 2013-2014 3rd grade classes of Lorca elementary….. Thanks for the memories!!!! The show wouldn’t have been possible with out you. Yes!!!!
Posted by Julia on November 11, 2013
Touring Performances
We have another great guest in “Chicago’s Weird, Grandma!” next Monday…Jyldo!
Pictured: Jyl Fehrenkamp
Jyl Fehrenkamp (Jyldo) is a dancer, choreographer and spandex-professional. Her creative work often fuses modern dance with burlesque-inspired performance art and has been seen in a variety of seedy Chicago nightclubs and theaters. Her most recent creative adventure entailed a Hall & Oates-inspired fellowship service at the Soft Rock Sanctuary - which was performed with Nick Davio at “REVIVAL” - a really aaarty performance event at the Pritzker Pavillion. Past adventures include curating & hosting Poonie’s Cabaret at Links Hall (2005-2012), co-creating the Fabulous Ladies of Fitness, a DJ collective and high-impact dance party (2009-2011), choreographing the sci-fi-rock-musical parody, “Alien Queen”, and curating Battlestar Fantastica (2012) and just lunging around the city as a yoga & dance fitness instructor. Jyl has had the pleasure of performing with many wonderful Chicago artists, including Jesse Morgan Young, Scott Bradley, Jessica Hudson, Mattrick Swayze, Peter Carpenter, InGen Productions, the Chicago Kings and Atalee Judy. Lunge. Every. Day.
Jyl was nice enough to chat a bit about the BOM experience.
What is it like to collaborate with the BOM team?
It is real nice - it feels like a dance party in my kitchen. They are all such a nice and talented bunch of weirdos. I really love them and I feel so delighted to be invited back.
How did you choose the story you’ll be performing?
I chose, “The Alien & the Human” because I think it’s a modern-day drama that we all can relate to.
If Jyldo had a “special sauce” what would be in it?
Jyldo sauce contains a bacon-maple infusion with a honey-crisp apple chaser.
Thanks Jyl! Be in the audience to see Jyldo strut her stuff next Monday, November 17, 8 p.m., 5153 N. Ashland. Tickets are $12 for adults and $6 for kids.
Posted by Molly on November 11, 2013
That's Weird Grandma
TWG Weekly Update
“Chicago’s Weird, Grandma” will feature TWO guest artists this evening: the Neo-Futurists and Bailiwick Chicago. These two staples of the Windy City stage experience, will present two very different offerings:
From the Neo-Futurists…
A Builder by Deavon H., Paderewski Elementary
One day a man name Tomiss was buindaing great house one house a hammer and wood it was falling a apart. The End.
From Bailiwick Chicago…
“Thriller vs. Party Rock” by Antwon, Imani, Erick, Tyeler, Martabian, and Christopher, Learn Campbell Academy
One day me and my friend Erika went to Texas. Erika wanted to visit the rodeo! So we went to the rodeo! At the rodeo there was one million zombie cowboys living there. They were doing the “Thriller.” We freak out! And then get hypnotized! By the zombie cowboys. And they made us dance like old ladies. And that’s when they tried to eat us. We ran away! All million zombies chased after us! We ran, and ran, and turned on a radio. And everyone was silent. And “Party Rock” came on. And the zombies loved it! And we all danced together and we had a dance off! And Erika won! She won $50 billion! And Erika told all the zombies, “Go back to your habitat!” The End.
With Turkey Day upon us, the Grandma Monkeys happily bring back two Thankgiving classics:
THANKSGIVING by James, Harold Washington Elementary
Once there was a family who’s having Thanksgiving. The boy’s name is John, his mother’s name is Jenny, and his aunties and his uncle’s names are Jack and Dorthy. Before they ate John made a Thanksgiving toast. Everybody says are you sure about this. He says yes I am. Jack the uncle said, this is a wonderful thing to do. Dorthy his auntie is waiting for the food, but she doesn’t want to toast. He toast anyway. This is what he said I love all of you and I wish you a very happy Thanksgiving. The End.
A GIRL THAT WANTS TO EAT TURKEY BUT CANNOT REACH by Gwen, Antonesha, David, Edward, Kourtney, Tangela, Kohn School
Once upon a time there was a girl named Ashley Sarah who loved turkey! She
wanted her friends to come over but they were too busy, so they couldn’t make it.
So she had to eat the turkey by herself. But she knew she couldn’t eat the whole
turkey because she was on a diet. She brought a big ole plate and ate the turkey
anyway and she got fat. She finally ate all of the turkey and she loved it. Finally
her friends came at the wrong moment. All the friends go out to eat and Ashley
Sarah’s grandpa calls to say that he can’t come over because he wants to go to
a meeting. She says “Don’t worry about it, the turkey is all gone.” And she took
a nap. But the meeting got canceled and they all want to the restaurant together
with old people and ate turkey! The End
Join us tonight, and say “Gobble Gobble” at the Box Office for discounted tickets!
