Posted by Molly on November 11, 2012
That's Weird Grandma
TWG Weekly Update
Round 2 of Chicago’s Weird, Grandma begins MONDAY, November 12.
Barrel of Monkeys proudly presents Lookingglass Theatre Company performing an Untitled Story by Gema R from Avondale-Logandale, and the Noah Ginex Puppet Company performing The Moose and the Man by Malik from Learn Campbell Academy.
We are very excited to present the Round 2 BOM Cast, a Sweet Sixteen Ensemble dedicated to Goats, Zombies, Dancing and Football!
Marla Caceras!
Brandon Cloyd!
Erick Deshaun Dorris!
Lindsey Dorcus!
Immanuel Guest!
Nicholas Hart!
Mary Winn Heider!
Elizabeth Levy!
Matthew Miller!
Tim Soszko!
Kate Staiger!
Jeff Trainor!
Dixie Uffelman!
Rawson Vint!
Curtis Williams!
Rachel Wilson!
Make your reservations now. Say “This is a wonderful thing to do.” at the Box Office for discounted tickets.
Posted by Joe on November 6, 2012
That's Weird Grandma
TWG Weekly Update
Touring Performances
CHICAGO’S WEIRD, GRANDMA on November 12 with feature Lookingglass Theatre Company & Noah Ginex Puppet Company
Here is an interview between you and Barrel of Monkeys’ Artistic Director, Molly Brennan:
You: Tell me about Lookingglass Theatre Company
Molly: Lookingglass Theatre is Chicago Theatre. This high-profile company never forgets its roots. It remains bold, dynamic and risky. “Theatre Without a Net” indeed. I admire these folks for being real, honest, wonderful people. They won the Regional Tony last year and man, do they deserve it. Having worked for this company, I can say it’s a friendly, hard-working and highly creative environment. They are in the business of world premiers, generating much of their new work within the Ensemble. They offer a wide diversity of material, and are well-known for the physical elements presented in their work.
You: What will Lookingglass bring to the adaptation process that is unique?
Molly: The kind of beauty, grace and humor brought on by a combination of discipline and gigantic heart. This company’s dedication to producing Big theatre in a Small space is in line with Chicago’s Weird, Grandma. I absolutely cannot WAIT for our audience to see and hear what Lookingglass has been cooking. It’s absolutely marvelous. No spoilers. You HAVE to see it!
Here is the story they’ve chosen:
UNTITLED (ACCORDION LADY) by Gema R, Avondale-Logandale School
Once there was a old lady that played a instrument called a accordian and she did not get any money so she got mad and she threw her accordian to the ocean and she felt better and she went to her house and watched TV. And then she played the piano. the end
You: How else can I experience Lookingglass Theatre Company if I like what I see or want to know more?
Molly: Mary Zimmerman’s Tony Award Winning “Metamorphoses” has returned to Lookingglass, and you can catch it through December 16. Check out Metamorphoses. Lookingglass’s Chicago’s Weird, Grandma piece features members of the “Metamorphoses” cast!
You: Tell me about Noah Ginex Puppet Company
Molly: The Noah Ginex Puppet Company creates funny, creative content for the web, television, film and stage featuring original puppets of all shapes and sizes. Past clients have included Barenaked Ladies, The USNA Glee Club, Annapolis MD, and the FSU Film Program, Tallahassee FL.
You: What will NGPC bring to the adaptation process that is unique?
Molly: Having been inspired by Jim Henson, Fred Rogers, and the Animaniacs, NGPC strives to carry on the tradition and inspire children of all ages to be accepting and creative people. They hope to impart the knowledge that there is room for all of us in this lifetime, and we believe the best way to a child’s brain is through their funny-bone. Naturally, Barrel of Monkeys supports this kind of thinking!
Noah and friends will present…
THE MOOSE AND THE MAN by Malik, Learn Campbell Academy
There once was a man name Carlo. He didn’t like to ride “Moose!” because his owner had not one to walk them and feed them. The moose felt tired. They had been on their feet all day and it got cold. And they got decided to quite and the man went to Miami , Florida and went to the beach.
You: How else can I experience NGPC if I like what I see or want to know more?
Molly: Currently The Noah Ginex Puppet Company is producing an internet talkshow for all ages called the Jameson Talk Show.
Join the fun!
Posted by Joe on October 30, 2012
That's Weird Grandma
TWG Weekly Update
Touring Performances
CHICAGO’S WEIRD, GRANDMA on November 5 will feature Griffin’s Tale & Jyldo
Here is an interview between you and Barrel of Monkeys’ Artistic Director, Molly Brennan:
You: Tell me about Griffin’s Tale.
Molly: Griffin’s Tale is Northwestern University’s children’s repertory theatre company. This theatre ensemble creates a sketch comedy show from stories that have been submitted from elementary schools…sound familiar? Griffin’s Tale was the inspiration for Barrel of Monkeys!
Barrel of Monkeys’ founders Halena Kays and Erica Rosenfeld Halverson were members of Griffin’s Tale at Northwestern University. After graduating from Northwestern, Halverson and Kays realized that there were underserved students in the Chicago Public School who would benefit from similar programming and consequently founded Barrel of Monkeys.
You: What will Griffin’s Tale bring to the adaptation process that is unique?
Molly: The entire Griffin’s Tale Ensemble will fill the stage for their piece. So, it may be our biggest guest cast yet for CWG. This highly energetic crew is a delight to watch, and we are excited to have our Northwestern roots come to join us.
You: How else can I experience Griffin’s Tale if I like what I see or want to know more?
Molly: Griffin’s Tale has public offerings throughout the year. Discover Griffin’s Tale
You: Tell me about Jyldo.
Molly: Jyl Fehrenkamp (Jyldo) is a dancer, choreographer and spandex-professional. Her creative work often fuses dance with burlesque-inspired performance art and has been seen in a variety of Chicago nightclubs and theaters, including Links Hall; where she was the curator and hostess of Links Hall favorite, Poonie’s Cabaret from 2005-12. Recent projects include choreographing Scott Bradley’s rock musical parody “Alien Queen”, and creating and hosting the Sci-Fi variety hour, “Battlestar Fantastica”, which was featured as the opening act for “Alien Queen” during 2011. Jyl co-created the Fabulous Ladies of Fitness (FLOF), a DJ collective and interactive dance party that she was part of from 2009-11. Jyl currently leads her signature Slow-Jammercize routines at nightclubs, parties and retreats. Jyl is a certified WERQ and yoga instructor and teaches at the Dance Center of Columbia College Chicago, Yogaview, Midtown Athletic Club, Cheetah gyms and Wicker Park and West Loop Athletic Club. She performs regularly with the Power of Cheer and co-teaches “Cheerobix”, a new dance fitness class that is taking over Chicago one pom pon at a time. Jyl has had the pleasure of performing with many wonderful Chicago artists, including Jesse Morgan Young, Jessica Hudson, Mattrick Swayze, Patrick Andrews, Trandroid, Rocco Granite, Asimina Chremos, Winifred Haun, Peter Carpenter, The Chicago Kings and Atalee Judy / BONE Danse.
You: What will Jyldo bring to the adaptation process that is unique?
Molly: A high level of physicality and humor. And dorky beauty.
You: How else can I experience Jyldo if I like what I see or want to know more?
Molly: You can take a fitness class at Yogaview, MAC, Cheetah and WLAC, Or check out any of the latest rocking performance event, and you can probably bet Jyl’s there doing her thing! Discover Jyldo
Join us for the fun!
Posted by Tim Soszko on October 23, 2012
School Shows
I am so happy to be back with the Monkeys for another school year. We’re rehearsing for the Chalmers show right now, my first show of the year, and its a wonderful mix of the new ensemble members we’ve just hired and some old guard pros!
The new guys are ridiculously talented. Gymnastics, energy, singing, piano playing, characters, the list is endless! There’s a story, untitled by Latavia, that will knock your socks off. Music, monsters and fight choreography, that’s all I can say.
Another story, I got to work on, is so epic that it took us a half hour to adapt into a scene. The other Monkeys watching, and Molly the director, gave us a standing ovation when we finished. I was sick that night, but in that moment it all went away. I think I take for granted sometimes just how good I feel being a part of this company. It’s unlike any other theatrical experience I’ve been a part of.
The Chalmers students are in for an amazing show!
tim
Posted by Molly on October 21, 2012
That's Weird Grandma
TWG Weekly Update
BARREL OF MONKEYS PRESENTS TWO NEW STORIES!
We are excited to bring back, just in time for Halloween, “DANCING” by Juana A. from Columbia Explorer’s Academy.
And making its world premiere on the Grandma stage, “THE NOT SO BAD GIRL” by Myia C.
THE NOT SO BAD GIRL
by Myia C, Learn Campbell Academy
Once upon a time it was a girl name Araya. It was a good girl and smart but all the others was not so they did not like her so one day Araya mom said go make some friends then Araya said but I do not have any friends so her mom said just act like them and you will make friends. So the next day she come to school she was acting bad like, have a bad boyfriend, writing on the walls, and calling the teacher bad name like cra-cra. So then Super Woman come and the school and take Araya, to the Cook County, and Gusse what she said I am going to be my self.
DANCING by Juana A, Columbia Explorer’s Academy
I remember that once I was in a party. It was October 30th. It not any kind of party. It was a Halloween party. I was a vampire there was hot wings, salad and it was cold. It was in the basement and they started playing some music. Some songs were “Beat it” and “Thriller”. When those songs played I jumped off my seat and started dancing. Then suddenly my cousin Brian said, “let’s have a dance-off!” Then I said “Alright.” They started playing “Beat it”. We had a sign to let us know when it was our turn. There was a total of 4 dancers. The girl came in 1st place, I came in 2nd place, Brian came in 3rd and another boy came in 4th place. When they played “Thriller” I was on fire! Everyone was cheering me on. They were saying “You go girl!” and “Show these Michael Jackson imitators that you are the real dancer.” Then the judges said that I came in 1st place, the girl in 2nd, Brian 3rd and the other boy in 4th. once that song came on I got so excited. I didn’t even think anything I just moved to the music. “Don’t think it just feel it.”
And our guests for Chicago’s Weird Grandma are Manual Cinema and About Face Theatre Company!
MANUAL CINEMA PRESENTS…
HAIR FEAR!!!!! By Sheriff N., Dixon Elementary
Once upon a time their 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!
ABOUT FACE THEATRE COMPANY PRESENTS…
THE MONSTER MASH by Ethan B., Paderewski
There was a Monster named Zane and his alien friend Craze. The monsters were weird they eat brains and throw watermelon and knit. One day the monster and alien ran into each other and they were stuck. They were stuck for 10 milleniums but one day an awesome smart wizard named Deeerrrikkkk came and gave them a potion to unstick them. And the wizard charged them 20 million but they couldn’t pay so they were blasted 1, 000, 000 years into the future when they were old smelly and OLLDD and they did not remember anything ever again.
Password for 10/22 is “Hello, Derrrrrrrrrrrrrrick!” Say this at the box office for discounted admission!
