Posted by Molly on October 14, 2012
That's Weird Grandma
TWG Weekly Update
This week, we are very excited to add a story by Kashmere from Morton Elementary. “The Sound of Carma” was masterfully adapted into a song by Barrel of Monkeys’ Company Member Diana Lawrence. In the tradition of the Runaways, the Go-Go’s, and Veruca Salt, Ms. Lawrence presents a catchy bad-girl hit that involves roller skates and schadenfreude. Backed up by the Chicago’s Weird, Grandma ensemble, Ms. Lawrence delivers Kashmere’s message that will leave you laughing, singing, clapping…and maybe thinking twice about bullying.
Chicago’s Weird Grandma Guest Stars!
Strawdog Theatre Company offers “Poem: Fly Like A Bird” by Jalyn H. from Dixon Elementary
Wildclaw Theatre presents an Untitled piece by Francisco V from the Loyola Park After School Program. There will be zombies.
Say “Rombies!” at the Box Office for discounted tickets.
Posted by Joe on October 11, 2012
That's Weird Grandma
TWG Weekly Update
Touring Performances
Monday, Oct 15th Strawdog Theatre Company
Come see Strawdog Theatre Company celebrate students’ work.
Here is an interview between you and our artistic director Molly Brennan:
You: Tell me about Strawdog Theatre
Molly: “Strawdog offers Chicago the premiere storefront theatre experience. They develop new work, re-imagine classic plays, explore new fusions of music and theatre, ask provocative questions and deliver the unexpected to their audience. They provide a home for their celebrated ensemble to work and play with the most sought after artists in Chicago theatre along with the best new talents in the city.”
Strawdog is a pillar of Chicago Storefront Theatre. These guys are producing their 25th Season! They survived the implementation of the PPA license in the 90’s that resulted in a number of storefront shut-downs and throughout the years have grown and changed and adapted and remained a place where many talented Chicago actors, designers, directors and technicians have called home. They have two spaces, their mainstage, and then a great smaller spot called Hugen Hall that features all manner of music, cabarets, and smaller productions. There’s always something happening at Strawdog!
Strawdog produced one of my very favorite Chicago productions. “Red Noses” was a show I went back and saw 5 times. I found it to be incredibly moving and funny and wonderful, and like it was a play just for me. Plus, the soundtrack jammed.
Included in the Strawdog ensemble is BOM Company Member Sarah Goeden; and Kyle Hamman, who produced a Barrel of Monkey’s film written and directed by one of our students!
You: What will Strawdog bring to the adaptation process that is unique?
Molly: Strawdog shows a lot of respect for, and attention to, the text. I suspect their table work on their piece will be extensive, and that they will spend a lot of time and effort in doing the authors’ words justice onstage. They have an accomplished ensemble of actors, and I’m excited to see what they do with the piece!
Their piece is POEM: FLY LIKE A BIRD by Jalyn H., Dixon Elementary
You: How else can I experience Strawdog Theatre if I like what I see or want to know more?
Molly: “Neighborhood 3: Requisition of Doom” is their current project. Another scary show that I got to see on opening night! Fusing slick technology with a solid quartet of exceptional actors, this piece flips between earthly and virtual landscapes to great success. The social commentary on the decay of true communication with the advance of communication technology has me still thinking and worrying! Great for adults and teens. I would say it would be great for parents to see WITH their teens. It runs through November 10. For more information, learn more.
Learn more about Chicago’s Weird, Grandma!
Posted by Joe on October 9, 2012
That's Weird Grandma
TWG Weekly Update
Touring Performances
Monday, Oct 15th WildClaw Theatre
Come see WildClaw celebrate students’ work.
Here is an interview between you and our artistic director Molly Brennan:
You: Tell me about Wildclaw Theatre?
Molly: “Storytelling is in our blood” is their slogan. “All the thrills that our imagination, heart and intellect derive from the greatest horror fiction, art, film, games, and poetry - all these thrills, we will provoke alive, in the flesh, breathing and bleeding from the stage, and right in your face. Horror Theatre.” They are scary and awesome.
You: What will Wildclaw bring to the adaptation process that is unique?
Molly: This team plays exclusively with horror. As you may know, monsters, zombies, mummies, vampires, werewolves, and movie greats like Jason and Chuckie are often stars of our students’ stories. Wildclaw has chosen a story by Francisco from our Loyola Park After School Program about a zombie-eating dinosaur, and since this piece is in the Wildclaw genre, these experts are going to nail it!
I went to their rehearsal for CWG and I am thrilled for it to hit the Grandma Stage! They will be performing UNTITLED (T Rex Eats Zombies) By Francisco V Loyola Park After School Program
You: How else can I experience Wildclaw Theatre if I like what I see or want to know more?
Molly: I attended the opening of “Life of Death” at the DCA Theatre, and I have this to say: I found it to be excellent. This piece scores high in psychological terror, philosophical challenge, and onstage gore effects. The storytelling is excellent. It flows beautifully between high theatricality and sobering realism. The sound and lights are fantastic, and the multi media stuff is clever and never disrupts the flow. The set is impressive and well-used. There are a ton of locations and scene changes and they range from entertaining to impossibly smooth. The cast nails it. It is creepy and scary and wonderful. It only runs through November 4. It is not for kids. For tickets, go here!
Incidentally, something I was tickled by in seeing their latest production, was the number of devices they used that are common in the Barrel of Monkeys’ staging: 1: The use of onstage slow motion. 2. The simple but effective physical choreography of people on a subway and 3. What BOM calls the “Silverberg turn”.
You: The “Silverberg Turn”..?
Molly: Named after one of the original actors in Barrel of Monkeys, Eric Silverberg, it refers to the technique of actors turning around in place to suggest travel to a new location.
Anyway, it’s delightful and surprising to see these kinds of similarities between a Horror company and us.
Learn more about Chicago’s Weird, Grandma!
Posted by Amanda Farrar on October 8, 2012
That's Weird Grandma
TWG Weekly Update
Touring Performances
Tickets are going fast for “Chicago’s Weird, Grandma” tonight, so please, buy your tickets now or make your reservation by calling 312-409-1954!
Not only will The House Theatre of Chicago be joining the Monkeys on stage, so will Ms. Ora Jones from Steppenwolf Theatre Company! A performance of space travels to dinosaur-times from the former, and a dramatic reading of epistolaries written by children by the latter? Yes, please.
Cliff Chamberlain and daughter as Ora Jones (Ora Jones is the photo within the photo!)!
Posted by Molly on October 8, 2012
That's Weird Grandma
TWG Weekly Update
The tremendous cast of Chicago’s Weird, Grandma features:
Eric Deshaun Dorris
Diana Lawrence
Jeff Trainor
Nicholas Hart
Dan Rumney
Linsey Falls
Michelle Alba
Zoe Schwartz
Dixie Uffelman
Rachel Wilson
Elizabeth Levy
Each week, we will have Special Guest Stars adapt and perform a story from our students.
Opening week Guests are:
The House Theatre of Chicago
and
Steppenwolf Theatre Company!
Make your reservations now to enjoy such favorites as “The Ugliest Twin Girls” and “ISAT Werewolf Day” in addition to the Grandma premiere of “Twilight”.
Password for discounted tickets is “Do you know who I am?” Ask that at the box office for a discount!
See you there!
