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 Molly on November 5, 2012
That's Weird Grandma
TWG Weekly Update
Chicago’s Weird, Grandma has been bursting with awesome. Our Thunder Bringing cast has been joined over the weeks by an amazing assortment of Chicago’s Theater heroes, including The House Theatre of Chicago, Steppenwolf, Wildclaw, Strawdog, Manual Cinema, About Face, J-HUD, and the Hypocrites!
THIS WEEK!
GRIFFINS TALE!
Join us and see the Northwestern University crew who hold the Origin Story of Barrel of Monkeys! They will be adapting this:
DON’T BE MAD BE GLAD, THE ___?_____, THE MOM AND CAT AND TOMATO
by Alani C., Avondale-Logandale,
Once upon a time a mom and a cat and tomato lived in a home. The cat was named Aviva, and the mom was named Cally and the tomato was just Tomato. The cat got all the attention. The tomato was sad so he decided to grow very big. Then Cally said, “O.m.g. my tomato is big. So the tomato got all their attention. So the cat said “I will kill the tomato. So at night time the cat destroyed the tomato. So at the morning Cally said, “Who destroyed my tomatoes?” Aveva said, “Meow.” And Cally was sad and she cried and Aviva said, “I did it.” Cally was very diso puning [disappointed?] so they grew a new tomato and they lived happily ever after. The End
And performance artisan fantastica Jyldo!
Jyldo will present…
THE ALIEN AND THE HUMAN by Jonathan and Nicholas Columbia Explorer’s Academy
Setting: Mars
Person: 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
Come on out for the final show of Round 1…and get yourself psyched for Chicago’s Weird, Grandma, Round 2!!
Posted by Kassi on November 1, 2012
School Shows
With two rehearsals for the show at New Sullivan School complete, it seems that the Millenium, and its popular culture will be well represented in this show. And for that I am very excited!
Exhibit A: Laser Tag
While Laser Tag has been available to the masses since the 1980’s, I feel it really hit its stride in the late 90’s. I believe I attended 4 Laser Tag birthday parties in 1998.
In the story The Winners by KyTwone J., the stakes for this particular game of laser tag are very high.
Here are Nick and Tom becoming The Winners
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Exhibit B: The Mall in 1999
This example happens to be a little more direct, but no less thrilling.
In My Day of Cool School by Mya T., Mya is transported to the the mall in the year she was born, instead of her first class at a new school. This my friends, is why we will never have time machines in schools.
This is how I remember the mall in 1999
Only 4 more rehearsals ‘til the big show. I hope Y2K doesn’t get us!
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!
