Posted by Molly on October 28, 2012
That's Weird Grandma
TWG Weekly Update
Another exciting week at Chicago’s Weird, Grandma.
Two new stories for the BOM Crew to share with you!
ZOMBIES PEOPLE
By: Ariana M, Chalmers
My mom was buying me new clothes and at the register there was a zombie. The zombie was eating all the money. My mom she beat the zombie down with her purse. (Hitting with purse) Bop! Bop! Bop! Bop! My mom had a brick in her purse. There was blood everywhere and his brain. Then she and my auntie beat him down. Then my uncle gave a one hitter quitter. Then a lady popped up and said “I’ve been trying to get that guy out of my store this whole time.” And she gave 15 outfits for free. The End.
and…
THE LADIES THAT SINGS
by Carrie T., New Sullivan
Once upon a time there was two ladies that love to sing go on stage and sing they went to sing again. They love to sing.
Come join us to see these great new stories!
BONUS!
The Hypocrites and Jessica Hudson are our guests this week. Come see! Come see!
Say: “Are you a singer?” at the Box Office for discounted tickets.
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 Joe on October 23, 2012
That's Weird Grandma
TWG Weekly Update
Touring Performances
CHICAGO’S WEIRD, GRANDMA on Oct 29th will feature The Hypocrites & J-Hud
Here is an interview between you and Barrel of Monkeys’ Artistic Director, Molly Brennan:
You: Tell me about The Hypocrites.
Molly: The Hypocrites began producing in 1997, creating strange and powerful and moving theatre. In their 15th Season, The Hypocrites are a steadfast member of the Chicago theatre community, presenting work that is engaging, challenging, and consuming. Their work encourages a visceral response in me, which has enormous value. They work at the audience from all angles, stabbing you in the brain and the heart and the guts. There are shows in which the audience is invited to move about during productions, “promenade” style. The Hypocrites’ shows are activating experiences.
You: What will The Hypocrites bring to the adaptation process that is unique?
Molly: The Hypocrites’ Artistic Director is Halena Kays. Halena Kays is leading The Hypocrites team in adapting their piece for Chicago’s Weird, Grandma. Halena Kays is the Co-Founder and Original Artistic Director of Barrel of Monkeys and creator of “That’s Weird, Grandma”. So, what we’ll have is the Return of the King. Needless to say, we are thrilled and humbled to have the lady who started it all to bring her new vision of AD of the Hypocrites to “Chicago’s Weird, Grandma”.
This is something The Hypocrites say to their audience, and I am excited to have these core values on the Grandma stage:
Theater is Art
Do not be afraid.
Do not feel stupid.
People who make theater are artists.
The audiences who see theater are engaging in art.
You: How else can I experience the Hypocrites if I like what I see or want to know more?
Molly: In less than a month, you can see the return of their hit show “The Pirates of Penzance”, running in Rep with “The Mikado”, November 20-January 13. Discover The Hypocrites.
You: Tell me about Jessica “J-Hud” Hudson.
Molly: J-Hud is “so flippin’ thrilled” to be making a guest appearance with Barrel of Monkeys. She is a long-time fan of BOM. Jessica is a theatre-maker and teaching artist who has lived and worked in Chicago for 15 years. Jessica’s solo work blends the vocabularies of dance, theatre and physical theatre. She also likes to make things- like lightboxes and tiny flying machines and ridiculous choreography. However, Jessica is most happy in collaboration with others, both on the stage and in the classroom. On the stage, she has collaborated with opera-matic, Mucca Pazza, About Face Theatre, 500 Clown, the Chicago Kings, Double DJ and the Laboratory for the Development of Substitute Materials. In the classroom, Jessica collaborates with Chicago Public School teachers to integrate the performing arts into the classroom curriculum. She currently works as a teaching artist for Chicago Arts Partnerships in Education (CAPE) and Hubbard Street Dance Chicago In 2010, Jessica won the 3Arts artist award as a teaching artist in theatre.
You: What will J-Hud bring to the adaptation process that is unique?
Molly: Jessica has a gorgeous onstage presence, and can conjure characters that range from achingly tragic to side-splittingly funny. Having partnered with her in 500 Clown, About Face and the Madam Barker Show, I can attest to her many talents, her massive heart, and her constant search for truth onstage through character.
You: How else can I experience J-Hud if I like what I see or want to know more?
Molly: Jessica will appear with Mucca Pazza on Halloween Night. Discover Mucca Pazza.
See y’all at the show!
Reserve your spot today!
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!
Posted by Joe on October 18, 2012
That's Weird Grandma
TWG Weekly Update
Touring Performances
Here are some photos of Manual Cinema’s adaptation of “Hair Fear!!!!!” by Sheriff N., Dixon Elementary
Join in on the fun! Come check out CHICAGO’S WEIRD, GRANDMA: Oct 22nd Manual Cinema & About Face Theatre.
