Posted by Luke on July 11, 2010
That's Weird Grandma
TWG Weekly Update
First of all, congratulations to the cast and crew of The Apple for their mind blowing performance at the Neo-futurists film fest of a truly terrible film. Wow. That was a satisfying theater-going experience.
You can see some of the same talented performers in this, the last show of this round of TWG! Segue of segues.
Joining the show this week are:
The Kiss wherein Jacinda imagines the moment her parents first met at a carnival
and
Chair Argument. Thesis: “I am chair. I believe that people should spray air freshener on their butt before they sit on me.”
You could say both are physical theater pieces with strong visual storytelling and you wouldn’t be wrong.
Highly popular greats such as Monster at the Movie, A Guy without Manners, The Little Cowboy and Diamond/How to Make Me also remain in the run for your delight.
This week the password for $2 off at the box office is “Danger Horse”.
See you at the plays!
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Posted by Luke on July 5, 2010
That's Weird Grandma
TWG Weekly Update
If you have the luxury of having Monday off work, That’s Weird, Grandma on Monday night, just might be the perfect last hurrah to your 4th of July weekend.
One of the new stories, Chinese Food, features a fat lady who eventually goes crazy because food is talking to her. Katie plays the femme fatale. Here is a picture.

This is just a rehearsal costume. The costume on Monday night will be even more glorious!
In the other new story, What a Life, Fingers?, Meyah is having trouble doing her homework because her fingers keep smashing into each other.
Another week, another two stories with superior plots.
You can receive $2 off at the box office by uttering the words ‘Kung Pao’.
Interactive running order is below.
See you at the plays!
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Posted by Luke on June 27, 2010
That's Weird Grandma
TWG Weekly Update
In all my time directing TWG, I have never seen a phenomenon like the one that transpired last week.
Often, new pieces in the show take a week or two to find their legs. In many cases, these new pieces aren’t the most popular upon debut, but, with time, become hits. Last week, the two new pieces, A Guy without Manners and Monster at the Movie were the two most popular pieces in the show!! Instant classics.
So, if you haven’t seen these suckers (and you HAVEN’T unless you were there last week) come on up!
On top of it all, joining the fun this week are:
The Grandma and the Cat- wherein Grandma succinctly sings some compelling reasons as to why there should be ‘no more cats’.
Untitled (Movie)- wherein James cannot remember his part in the class film. What will they do!
$2 off password, or rather passphrase to utter at the box office shall be….‘no more cats’.
See you there!
Updated runlist is below for your interactive pleasure.
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Posted by Elizabeth on June 22, 2010
Touring Performances
Barrel of Monkeys put on their grownup shoes and dress pants this week to attend the TCG (Theatre Communications Group) Conference. We were able to get a grant from the League of Chicago Theatres and the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation that enabled us to attend. We met a lot of interesting people from all over the country, and even parts of the UK, and got to share information about all the interesting theatre work that is happening all over. It was inspiring and exciting.
What was also exciting was to be able to share with all those folks all the incredible theatre that is happening right here in Chicago. Throughout the conference, “pop-up” performances would, well, pop up at various points of the day. You would be walking to Montrose Room 5 for your panel discussion on board development and BOOM, theatre would happen right in your face. Chicago theatre companies, including BOM, were asked to present 4-minute theatre pieces that could be presented say, by the bank of elevators, or by the Womens Restroom or even while on your way to Montrose Room 5 as people scurried to snag a seat in the breakout session on board development. It was kind of great to watch people be accosted by people making and presenting theatre on their way to go talk about theatre.
Barrel of Monkeys chose a wonderful piece to perform called “Two Thinking Tigers” presented by Luke Hatton, Rani Waterman and a third BOM company member in disguise. I think its befitting that our pop-up performance had to do with tigers. Cuz the thing about tigers is, they can pop out of nowhere. And you certainly won’t expect to find them in a fancy hotel. Or in a car. Here is a picture of the trio getting ready to perform their “tigerocity.” And yes, those couches were extremely comfortable. 100 points for the person who can guess the mystery person sitting betwixt these fine actors. Extra 50 points if you can guess what Rani is thinking at this exact moment.

We were able to film the performance and you can also watch all the cool pop-up performances here. I hope I didn’t ruin the element of surprise by telling you where you could find them.
Posted by Luke on June 20, 2010
That's Weird Grandma
TWG Weekly Update
Dear Friends,
We are still frolicking in the plethora of new material made available with the passing of another school year. Two new greats joining the run this week:
Monster at the Movie- A monster’s attempts to scare patrons and service workers at Loews are unsuccessful because they think it’s a costume.
A Guy without Manners- Poor Bruce has no luck with women…until he meets someone also lacking manners.
Be at it.
Password for $2 off at the door shall be “MANNERS”.
Updated runlist belooowwww….
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