Posted by Joe on November 20, 2012
That's Weird Grandma
TWG Weekly Update
Touring Performances
Chicago’s Weird, Grandma will feature Dean Evans on November 26
Here is an interview between you and Barrel of Monkeys’ Artistic Director, Molly Brennan:
You: Tell me about Dean Evans.
Molly: Dean Evans is an extraordinary performance artist, a truly unique and powerful presence in the Chicago Theater Scene. He employs clown and mime in his work, and his quiet and intense presence conjures a gorgeously surreal experience for the audience. His work is fully accessible, and dream-like. He can make every day, mundane acts seem magical. He can physically manifest surprising gifts of insight with simple gesture and expression. In addition to his long-running “Magical Exploding Boy” and his more recent splash “Honeybuns”, Dean has appeared at the Goodman, Second City, ImprovOlympic, 500 Clown, the Hypocrites and Redmoon. I had the pleasure of working with him in Chicago Children’s Theater in “Go, Dog, Go”, where I was able to watch his process. I was fascinated by the strangeness and familiarity and specificity of his choices.
You: What will Dean Evans bring to the adaptation process that is unique?
Molly: His arresting performance style. His mesmerizing presence. His fantastical storytelling. We are in for a real treat.
Here is the story he has chosen:
MAGICAL HORSE by Journey B., Dixon Elementary
Once upon a time there was Journey a simple 9 year old then one day she took horse riding lessons. The horse started to gallop it was my first time so I wanted to stop so I said stop. The horse got mad and grew angel black wings an dsaid next time you have lessons with me you should know I’m not going to stop. Then he flew away with me into another galaxy and to his home dumped me into the trash went to go use it and then that’s when I escaped took his car drove myself back home and kept his car. I made an underground machine where my friends and whole family lived forever. I never went back to those lessons again. THE END
You: How else can I experience Dean Evans if I like what I see or want to know more?
Molly: Visit Dean’s Website!
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Posted by Molly on November 18, 2012
That's Weird Grandma
TWG Weekly Update
After last week’s knockout performance by Lookingglass Theatre at Chicago’s Weird, Grandma, Doug Hara, who adapted and directed a BOM story agreed to share the magic with the Grandma cast. The Monkeys are rocking it, and all were happy to be in a room with the one and only Doug!
We are pleased to have BONEdanse performing. BONEdanse’s physicality and humor is heartily welcomed on the BOM stage.
Additionally, BOM Company Members Alex Goodrich, Michael Mahler and Alan Schmuckler will appear as The Lincoln Squares.
Don’t miss this week’s dynamic Chicago’s Weird, Grandma!
For discounted tickets, say “AttenTION” at the box office.
Here’s the lineup for the show:
CHICAGO’S WEIRD, GRANDMA, 2.2
1. UNTITLED (GOAT THAT EAT EVERYTHING) by Darrin J., Chalmers Elementary
2. TWILIGHT By Gianna M., Loyola Park After School Program
3. THE MAN THAT DIDN’T KNOW HOW TO SWIM by Edwin G., Lorca Elementary
4. ZOMBIES PEOPLE by Ariana M., Chalmers
5. THE FIGHT BETWEEN FRANKLIN AND THE MOUSE by Mae O., Kai C, Ben W., Molly K, Rashele O., Linda L., Jahnese A., Lincolnwood Elementary
6. THE LITTLE GIRL AND THE CHOCOLATE WATER by Jaylin, Aislie, Clara, Kate, Bradley and Demetrius, Lincolnwood
7. I’M A DANCER by Precious A., Learn Campbell Academy
8. CWG GUEST THE LINCOLN SQUARES: THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPENED by Tianna J., Columbia Explorer’s Academy
9. UNTITLED DIALOGUE (SETTING LIBRARY) by Del S. and Nia T., Loyola Park After School Program
10. UNTITLED (ACCORDION LADY) by Gema R, Avondale Logandale directed by Douglas Hara, Lookingglass Theatre
11. THANKSGIVING by James, Washington School
12. FOOTBALL MAN by Daniel P., Avondale-Logandale
13. THE FIRST KID IN THE NFL by Jamon T., Paderewski
14. LADIES THAT SINGS by Carrie T., New Sullivan
15. UNTITLED (X-MAS BALL) by Kyjuan M, Learn Campbell
16. CWG GUEST: BONEDANSE: ALL ABOUT POLICE DOGS by Cassandra A., Avondale-Logandale,
17. UNTITLED (PRINCESS BIRTHDAY ARGUMENT) by Terriona B., Chalmers
Posted by Joe on November 13, 2012
That's Weird Grandma
TWG Weekly Update
Touring Performances
Chicago’s Weird, Grandma will feature The Lincoln Squares on November 19
Here is an interview between you and Barrel of Monkeys’ Artistic Director, Molly Brennan:
You: Tell me about The Lincoln Squares.
Molly: Michael Mahler and Alan Schmuckler are critically-acclaimed actors/musicians/singers/songwriters (and Monkeys) who’ve made their mark on the Chicago theatre scene; now, with their band The Lincoln Squares, they’re taking their act on the road. Featuring fellow Monkey Alex Goodrich on banjo/ukelele/harmonica/saw, the Lincoln Squares combine the pop rock of Ben Folds, the poetic folk of Paul Simon, and the churning drive of Mumford and Sons.
You: What will The Lincoln Squares bring to the adaptation process that is unique?
Molly: Their original songs bubble with idiosyncratic honesty, and their performances are marked by a charming easy showmanship. They will be sharing this magic on Monday night by performing “This Should Not Happen”, composed by Michael Mahler, words from the “ISAT Argument” story by Tianna J from Columbia Explorer’s Academy.
You: How else can I experience the Lincoln Squares if I like what I see or want to know more?
Molly: Czech out the websites of these fine gentlemen!
Discover Michael Mahler!
Discover Alan Schmuckler!
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Posted by Joe on November 13, 2012
That's Weird Grandma
TWG Weekly Update
Touring Performances
Chicago’s Weird, Grandma will feature BONEdanse on November 19
Here is an interview between you and Barrel of Monkeys’ Artistic Director, Molly Brennan:
You: Tell me about BONEdanse.
Molly: BONEdanse is an experimental dance company based in Chicago who creates, performs and presents challenging, athletic and visually stimulating dance theater in unconventional site-specific locations as well as conventional venues and are driven by the use of movement, theater, and multi-media elements by excavating the tropes found within the human experience.
You: What will BONEdanse bring to the adaptation process that is unique?
Molly: Danger. And humor. Funny danger. I can’t wait.
You: How else can I experience BONEdanse if I like what I see or want to know more?
Check out BONEdanse for upcoming production information!
THIS SHOW HAS BEEN SELLING OUT!
BUY YOUR TICKETS NOW!
Posted by Mary T on November 12, 2012
School Shows
We have completed one week of rehearsals for the Lorca School show, but to me, as a new member of the Monkey crew, it feels like we have completed a month of rehearsals! We have gotten so much accomplished! With stories featuring transformers and bionicles*, John Cena roundhouse kicking some multi-grain bread into existence and best friends from all walks of life, I have learned a thing or two about what it means to be a Monkey this week. A few things I have learned:
-Style changes everything. Sometimes a story has many different layers. Unexpected characters, contradicting points of view, or physical action that seems difficult to execute are all things that can be brought to life in a new way through simply making a story into a musical number or adding a Wrestlemania announcer as narration.
-Zombies don’t even care about people. They just want to eat berries.
-The answer to creating something new is “yes” and then you figure out the specifics after. Sometimes that means that your original idea doesn’t get to stay, but the attitude of enthusiasm and eagerness in this group makes every idea worth exploring.
-There are some specific terms that Monkeys use for different aspects of rehearsals. For instance, “plug-ins” are actors that are needed for a scene that has already been adapted but requires more characters than were available during the original adaptation process. In “Soda and Juice” by Alan B. we got to see the original dialogue between Soda and Juice, but to make the scene complete, we added “plug-ins” to help create the environment of a cooler full of sodas and juices.
-Music, music and more music! Music makes me lose control! Monkeys sing all the time in rehearsal, even when nobody is asking them to.
-Lorca School is going to love this show. Stay tuned! More to come!
Also, look at these pictures!
Jeff as John Cena holds a customer (Brandon) hostage while he checks to see if his bread really does taste terrible!
Brandon (played by Andres) recounts the story of how he was chased by Zombies (Tim)!
*I didn’t even know what a Bionicle was before we started adapting “When I Was Playing with My Toys” by Tony O. They are really cool and sometimes come over to your house and hang out with you and sometimes star in action movies, depending on the day.
