Posted by Bradford on November 8, 2013
School Shows
Just a few weeks ago, we wrapped up our residency at the Garcia Lorca Elementary School, and it twas a blast. The kids were amazing, wrote fantastic stories, and proved to be great actors to boot. Oh yeah, it can be a little sad at the end of six weeks, when you walk out of the class room for the last time. But hey… don’t cry for me my friends, because the Lorca school show kicks off in a week. That’s right good people, the first school show of the year is going down, and it’s going to be Awesome town.
Nancy and Tom are singing in the rain
Three 3rd grade classes. Close to 600 stories. To say it was a tough job selecting stories for the show would be the understatement of the year. Never the less expect football games on the moon, tributes to 90’s video games, and of course our trade mark Barrel of Monkey song and dance. I love it.
Crowd watches on as Eunice belts out a magnificent solo
Last but not least, it’s always a pleasure to see how a story makes it’s way from the class room, into the rehearsal hall and on to the stage. Always a pleasure seeing kids put pencil to paper, and realize they have more to share with world than they’ll ever know. Oh yeah!! So here’s to Lorca… the first school show of the year… and to a year of great stories, from the many great residencies yet to come. YES!!!!!
Posted by Julia on November 6, 2013
Touring Performances
Woo boy, aren’t WE lucky? Next Monday’s performance of “Chicago’s Weird, Grandma” will feature TWO fantastic Chicago theater companies: The Neo-Futurists and Bailiwick Chicago Theater.
Kurt Chiang from the Neos answered a few questions for us about working Monkey-style.
(Pictured: Kurt Chiang, Neo-Futurist ensemble member)
What is it like to collaborate with the BOM team?
Monkeys and Neos have a long history together. For one thing, we share a space; “That’s Weird, Grandma” has, as far as I know, always been at the Neo-Futurarium. Also, a LOT of our people mix. Many Monkeys do Neo-Futurist work, and we even share company members, associates, and alumni, including Ryan Walters, Kristie Koehler-Vuocolo, Jonathan Maestro, Brenda Arellano, Anthony Courser, and myself. All this to say, “Of course! It’s a joy!”
How did you choose the story The Neo-Futurists will be performing?
I chose the shortest story possible. Neo work is about brevity, and/or getting to the core idea/feeling of something. I also wanted to personally relate to the story, in some way. The one I picked is about building a thing, and failing. As a kid, the first memory I have of creating a story was about not having anything to write about. This made me interested in writing, thereafter joining a summer fiction workshop.
If the Neos had a “spcial sauce” what would be in it?
Something really obvious. Maybe that’s the wrong word. I mean to say, it wouldn’t be secretive. How about, blatant? Like cashews. But not gritty. A hint of cashew butter. Certainly garlic. Dill? Do people actually enjoy things with special sauces?
Now let’s get to know Bailiwick Chicago Theater…
(Pictured: Lili-Anne Brown, Bailiwick Chicago Theater Artistic Director)
Bailiwick Chicago is a non-profit professional company with a mission to produce contemporary musicals and plays, reinvent classic musicals, and develop new work, while sharing a powerful and authentic theatrical experience. They celebrate and engage our community through diverse programming, artistic partnerships and outreach opportunities.
Bailiwick Chicago is a theatre company that was formed by a group of dedicated actors, directors, and production professionals after Bailiwick Repertory Theater closed its doors in September 2009. This group, which we call the “Collective”, is the artistic ensemble responsible for the artistic mission and vision of the company. In its first 2 seasons, Bailiwick Chicago garnered 28 award nominations and received critical acclaim for its innovative Chicago productions.
Bailiwick Chicago has chosen the story “Thriller vs. Party Rock” by Antwon, Imani, Erick, Tyeler, Martabian, and Christopher from Learn Campbell Academy. We’re sure they’ll bring a special musical flair to the story!
Get tickets to be in the audience next Monday, November 11 to see what these two companies can do! 8 p.m. at the Neo-Futurarium, 5153 N. Ashland. Tickets are $12 for adults and $6 for kids.
Posted by Molly on November 4, 2013
That's Weird Grandma
TWG Weekly Update
Join us tonight for the triumphant return of Mucca Pazza’s JESSICA HUDSON!
She will present her adaptation THE AMAZING GIFT OF WONDERLAND by: Maricruz, Idania, Samantha, Erika, Fabian, and Leonardo fromColumbia Explorer’s Academy
Once there was a crocodile named Wonderland who lived in a sewer in Miami. Wonderland had a special gift, he could spit out delicious food: macaroni and cheese, tacos, mangos, mole and watermelon! His friend Patrick was jealous of his gift and he was not being nice to him. Patrick tricks Wonderland into coming over to his house and locks him in so he can’t share his food gift with the world and become famous. Wonderland starts to spit the food at the windows to break them. Patrick notices what he is doing and realizes that he is making his friend waste food. He realizes he is not being a good friend to Wonderland. He releases Wonderland and says, “I’m sorry.” Then they go on vacation together to Ireland! THE END.
For discounted tickets, say “Release Wonderland!”
Posted by Julia on October 29, 2013
Touring Performances
After kicking off “Chicago’s Weird, Grandma” with Manual Cinema this past Monday, we can’t until next Monday when J-Hud joins us!
Jessica Hudson is a theatre-maker and teaching artist who has lived and worked in Chicago for 15 years. Her solo work pulls from the vocabularies of dance, theatre, and physical theatre; however, she is most happy in collaboration with others, both on the stage and in the classroom. On the stage she has worked with many tremendous companies in the Chicago theatre, dance and music scenes including opera-matic, Mucca Pazza, 500 Clown, About Face Theatre, and the Chicago Kings. In the classroom, Jessica works as a teaching artist with Chicago Arts Partnerships in Education (CAPE) and Hubbard Street Dance Chicago to collaborate with teachers to integrate the performing arts into the classroom curriculum in the Chicago Public Schools. In 2010, Jessica won the 3Arts artist award as a teaching artist in theatre.
J-Hud herself answered a few questions about working with the Monkeys…
What is it like to collaborate with the BOM team?
Collaborating with the BOM team is like collaborating with a trampoline. No, like collaborating with a trampoline ROOM- where the trampolines go up the walls and on the ceiling so you can jump off the walls as well as the floor-tramp and you do these crazy, twisted flip-spins that you didn’t even know existed and you don’t get hurt because it’s a trampoline room.
How did you choose the story you’ll be performing?
My story is the best. It has a crocodile in it… named Wonderland. boom. the best.
If J-Hud had a “special sauce” what would be in it?
The J-Hud Special Sauce is called SPIT TAKE. It is made of real maple syrup, vinegar and bacon juice.
Grab your tickets to see J-Hud and an extra-large (16!) cast of Monkeys next Monday, November 4!
Posted by Molly on October 28, 2013
That's Weird Grandma
TWG Weekly Update
Ladies and Gentlemen, Barrel of Monkeys proudly presents “CHICAGO’S WEIRD, GRANDMA”!
For the next six weeks, when you come to enjoy “That’s Weird, Grandma”, you will receive a bonus adaptation and performance by a Chicago Theatre Artist.
This week, returning audience favorite “Manual Cinema” will present their hit from last year: “Hair Fear!” Just in time for Halloween, this spooky telling of Sheriff N’s hair-raising story uses shadow puppetry accompanied by live sound manipulation.
HAIR FEAR!!!!! By Sheriff N., Dixon Elementary
Once upon a time there was me so then I start growing hair I was mad so I went to the shop so I cut it off and it came back so I cut it it got bigger and bigger and bigger and bigger so I cut it off so I couldn’t so that’s how I got hair! The End.
Come see this fantastic adaptation, along with a cast of 16 Monkeys peforming these stories:
BATTLE FOR THE LIGHT by Simon W, Haines School
Composed by Michael Spatafora
Characters: Black Elf/ Master of Darkness/ Magician of Light/ Master of the Sword of Light
Setting: Island of Darkness/ Island of Light/ Final Destination
Master of the Sword of Light (MOTSOL): Let’s head for the Island of Darkness.
Magician of Light (MOL): Be careful though.
MOTSOL: I will and you should help me.
MOL: I’ll come with you.
Master of Darkness (MOD): MOL and MOTSOL are fools.
Black Elf (BE): They will die!
MOD: They will once they come.
BE: They can’t stand up to our army of darkness!
MOTSOL: I sense darkness! Be careful!
MOL: I will MOTSOL. Spirits come to gather light! Yes spirits come!
MOTSOL: SLASH OF SPIRITS!
MOL: Yes, now it’s an army of light!
BE/MOD: NO!
BE: Head for the island of light!
MOTSOL: SLASH OF LIGHT!
MOD/BE: NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
MOD/BE: Yes, Island of light.
MOD/BE: Yes, Island of light is destroy!
MOTSOL/MOL: NOOOOOOO!
MOD/BE: Yesssssssss!
MOD/BE: Muhahahahahahaha!!!!!!!!!!!!
MOTSOL/MOL: Head for the Final Destination!
MOD/BE: Follow them!!!
MOTSOL: SPIRIT SLASH!!!!!!!!
MOTSOL: Yesssss!!! DIE!!!!!!!
MOD/BE: NOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!
MOD/BE: THIS CAN’T BE HAPPENING!!!
The End
ME AND MY CAT AT SIX FLAGS by Michael W. Dewey Academy of Excellence
My mom had a cat he was a Boy he had a wonderful time at six flags. The end
I AM A NINJA by Deadra B., Reavis Elementary
Arranged by Alan Schmuckler
I am a ninja. I believe I should not wear all black
My first reason is I get lost.
My second reason is I don’t like blending in.
My conclusion is that’s why I don’t like blending in.
THE MAGICAL HAT by Casey S., Little Village Academy
Once upon a time there was a dog who had a fancy hat with a tuxedo. That hat that he bought was magical. That hat granted all wishes. His first wish was to have all the wishes he wants. The second wish was to live in the city of Chicago. The third wish was to have 8 pieces of meat. Then the rest of his wishes were to get some more pieces of meat. Then
when it was his millionth time eating the pieces so every single time he eat 8 pieces of meat he got fatter and fatter. One day he couldn’t stop eating that he couldn’t fit in his own house. He was perfect for King Kong, Big foot or even Godzilla. His very last wish was to have more wishes and to be just like when he bought that black hat. By the way when he
bought the hat he was skinny. The End.
THE DOG by Ethan S, Loyola Park Afterschool Program
Once there was a doggy who was trapped in a cage. So he barked and barked and barked. Soon the owner of the pet shop came down the stairs. The doggy was really scared. So he howled and then his friends broke open their cages and broke open his cage and then they escaped before the master could ever get them. The End
CAN I LOOK AT YOU by Ashaureah R, Dewey Academy of Excellence
A Man was looking at tv a Big Box could talk he side don’t look at me I’m green, red, blue, yellow. I will pay you 1,000 Dollars to not look at me. Now we can play together we will have fun playing can we keep the peace and eat pizza.
PEE BOY by Christian W., Dewey Academy of Excellence
Song composed by Gwen Tulin
My name is pee in the bed boy and I pee in the bed while watching Dora and also Cinderella. I am good at peeing in the bed. My goal is stop peeing in the bed. I am scared of Dora because she said my name in a crazy sound. If I pee everywhere, I would go outside with my dog and sleep and pee with him. My secret is I pee in the bed while watching Dora and every time my sister have a Dora toy I would pee and hear the Dora song in my head.
THE ANT THAT BULLY by Chris J., 5th Grade, Henry Suder School
Once upon a time there was an ant that was a bully. The ant would go to the gym and work out. He could lift three hundred pounds. One day the ant saw a lady bug. The Ant challenge the lady bug to a weight lifting contest he said to the lady bug to lift three hundred pounds the lady bug pick up the weights the lady bug drop the weights on the ants foot the ant said I am going to get you for that, the lady bug said I am sorry but you told me to pick it up sir. Ten years later the ant saw the lady bug and said why did you brake my leg the lady bug did not say anything and the ant ran over the lady bug.
BIG HIPPED MARTHA by Kia F., Avondale-Logandale Elementary
Once there was a lady with really huge hips and there was no clothes that would fit her and she had to have a special designer make her clothes. Finally the day came that the clothes were ready. When she went, the clothes cost a lot of money because all the material was used on her dress so the price was $100,000,000 dollars just for one dress. She asked a friend the friend said ‘Are you kidding me? It’s not my fault you have big hips!’ So Martha felt bad and she never found any money and she thought to herself that’s how I’m going to live. She started crying and finally found the money in her bank and could only afford that dress so she lived her life with only one dress. The End.
TELLING ALIEN JENNIFER ABOUT VALENTINES by Ashanti, Willa Cather Super Girls 7 Program
Dear Alien Jennifer happy valentines day you have to go people valentine’s cards like hey BFF what is you cooking for valentine’s day and you have to give hearts and valentine chocolate candy for valentine day. The End
ELEPHANTS COME TO MY HOUSE by Jeffrey H.,Learn Campbell Academy
Composed by Erick Deshaun Dorris
Elephants come to my house. My reason why they should not come to my house is they play my wii and play Michael Jackson and they break my bed when I’m in it and they write on my notebook and they ring my doorbell eat all my food. They furt in my room, my Mom room and I had kick them to the cover. The End.
THE BIG BULLY! By Laila N., Dixon Elementary
There once was a big bully named Mike. He was mean and he didn’t like anyone. One day, Mike walked up to the new kid named Jake and gave him wedgey all the to his head. After he walked up to Jake’s sister named Jackie, but Mike kicked her in the leg for no reason. Then, Jake and Jackie went hom and created a big robot to destroy Mike. After that, the next day Mike walked up to both of them and said “Give me yo lunch money or else,” then Jake told the big Robot to make Mike into a McDonald’s burger. Finally, Jake and Jackie split a Mike burger. The End!
OLD TOMMY AND BROWNIE THE LOST CAT by Camron F., Learn Campbell Academy
One day it was a lonely old man named Tommy with a cat named Brownie. When he picked up Brownie Brownie screamed at him and jumped out of his arms. Tommy started to cry then when he was done crying he said “Brownie Brownie Brownie my love where are you?” Tommy didn’t hear anything so he checked everywhere. He checked the kitchen and his room and the basement and the living room and the bathroom but he wasn’t nowhere so Tommy said “Nooooooooooooo!” so her got his coat and ran outside and ran to Go Bananas and saw the cat playing games. “Tommy, what are you doing here?” “I didn’t tell you to come here, yo.” “Oh my God, I having aheart attack.” “Yo he’s having a heart attack.” “It’s too late he’s dead because you took too long. The End.
UNTITLED DIALOGUE (BUBBLE GUM PARTY) by Sarronda L, Jaleesa W, Anaya G, Dewey Academy of Excellence
Composed by Laura McKenzie
Characters: NJ, CA, RA Setting: A Bubble gum party
NJ: Lets have a bubble gum party
RA: Watebs
CA: (ok) I’m there.
NJ: I got all this bubble gum.
RA: I’m eating purple gum now and I’m turning purple.
CA: look at the ceiling it gum is floating.
NJ: look I am pink like bubble gum
RA: I am purple like the juice ohh la la
CA: I’m blue girls lets sing in our bubble gum out fit.
NJ: Let’s sing starships.
RA: hit it.
CA: give me a beat.
Say “I am a Ninja” at the Box Office for discounted tickets!
