Posted by Bradford on January 15, 2010
I live in a beautiful, luxurious, million dollar apartment in Uptown…. Well not really, but the Uptown part is true. With such thin walls, I often wonder what my neighbors must be thinking whenever I’m preparing for a Barrel of Monkey school show. You’re right, I’m sure they think it’s perfectly normal for a grown man to bounce around his one bedroom yelling, “Scorpion hat!!! Scorpion hat!!” Of course it is. I’m absolutely positive, that after singing, “You write the stories”, six times in a row, their ears are glued to walls, craving more . And their thunderous ROAR of applause, heard only in mind, inspires me to do just that… and away we go. After all, it’s not about me my friends, it’s all about the audience.
And in all seriousness, it truly is all about the audience. It was so much fun going back to Stockton today and seeing all the kiddos again. They worked incredibly hard over the six week residency and we all had a ball adapting their stories and bringing them to life. And the cards they made for all the teachers were too, too much, THANKS GUYS!!!! We appreciate them big time.
High lights? My goodness, there were so many. "The tale of the tweleve hip hop dancing prinsess", "Stairs vs. Brother guest we who wins" and Alex in "
(Untitled) Abe Lincoln just to name a few. But the high light of all high lights, had to be Carly taking a pie in the face. I know, I know, the gag has been around since the begining of time, but never the less, every play, every production; no matter the genre should have a random pie in the face. From Shakespeare to sketch comedy, a PIE in the FACE… it doesn't get any better than that you all, absolutely the pincalce of Enterainment.
Congrats to Dana and Michelle on their first shows (you guys rock), congrats to Mere once again (great job), and last but certainly not least, congrats to both Stockton 4th grade classes… we couldn't do it with out you guys. Now if you will please excuse me, I must be leaving. The neighbors are pounding on the walls again, demanding more MOKEY-TAINMENT. And if it’s a dance number they want, it’s a dance number they shall get!!! Oh yeah… STOCKTON 2010!!!!
Posted by Bradford on January 14, 2010
Blast Master KRS-1 co-founded Boogie Down Productions with his DJ. Scott La Rock in the mid 80’s, and is one of the greatest MC’s to ever bless the mic. It’s true people, do your research. He also was one of the first rappers to map out the four pillars of hip-hop: Rapping, Disc Jockeying, Graffiti Art, and Break Dancing. Well, thanks to one of our wonderful Stockton kids, and the magical adapting skills of one Philip ( I never heard a Broadway tune I didn’t like) Markle, we now have the four pillars of Barrel of Monkeys Hip Hop. I know, it’s too much for you to handle. But deal with it!! By the way, Mere gave me the idea for this blog, and it’s pretty AWESOME.
1) Dances Moves ( with a monkey twist of course)
Tai, new kid on the block, learns a fancy step from Carly….
2) A Witch in wings (One Tom M)
Right before being destroyed by lord of the dance Malinowski in a jazz hands battle….
3) A Princess
Young Katie made a serious run at the title, with some fancy dance moves sweeping Bangladesh!!!!
4) Puppets
But at last, it was Puppet Master Curtis who retained his title as the greatest Hip Hop Monkey ever. Why they constantly try to battle him…. I will never know.
Check out the Stockton show on Friday my friends, it’s gonna be NICE!!!!
Posted by Luke on January 11, 2010
That's Weird Grandma
Guess what?!
I just finished updating all of the story links on the runlist for this evening and, lemme tell ya, you WILL have a great time if you come to the show tonight.
New classics are starting to emerge (e.g. The Kid Who Got Hit by a Rock) and old standbys are as entertaining as ever (e.g. a certain story about an enchanted location where you can dwell for eternity.)
Also, if I may give my own biased opinion, this cast is particularly attractive.
Also, you can play a game as you watch the actors tonight: which one is not a man?
Buy tickets here.
Running order with updated links below.
See ya tonight!!!
Read more
Posted by Amanda Farrar on January 11, 2010
It is time to put your talents developed over years in the shower to very good use. Sure, good hygiene is nice, but that is not the talent to which I am referring. I’m talking about the singing! You know every morning you are in that shower perfecting your rendition of Lady Gaga’s Bad Romance. The time has come to bring that brilliance out of the shower. If you are ready to help save the world, you can do your part by singing your most favorite karaoke song at Barrel of Monkeys’ annual Monkey-O-Kee, coming soon to a bar near you! (January 31st, 8pm-11pm at Mad River Bar and Grille,
2909 North Sheffield Avenue, to be exact.)
By purchasing a ticket for the extremely fair price of $25, one not only gets the chance to support BOM’s work with Chicago’s youth – igniting their imaginations, boosting their self-esteem, improving literacy, etcetera, etcetera (i.e. all that amazing good warm and gooey stuff we inspire in the kids with whom we work) – but ALSO gets beer and wine, discounted well drinks, pizza AND pasta, not to mention the karaoke, and therefore, entertainment in abundance. Various and sundry other fun and fabulous activities will occur at the event, including a prize wheel, and sponsored Monkey performances. “What is a sponsored Monkey performance?” you may ask – well, check back soon here, on the Monkey-O-Kee page, or on Facebook and/or Twitter for more…
Buy your tickets online, and get TWO FREE SPINS at the prize wheel! What a DEAL.
See you there.
Posted by Bradford on January 10, 2010
School Shows
First off:
CONGRATS to Meredith in her Barrel of Monkeys directorial debut!!! Yeah!!
.jpg)
After the company meeting, Tai, Goodrich, Michelle, Meredith, Donnell, and I went to the Heart Land Cafe to grab a bite, before heading back to Loyola Park for some serious rehearsing. We’re a small but mighty cast, and the spirit of adaptation was in the air. School shows are magic baby, but school shows in which you were a teacher, are super, duper, mega-magic to the 10th degree.
.jpg)
There is nothing I like more than getting to know the kids, being in the class room as their masterpieces come to fruition, and then seeing them spring to life in the rehearsal process. Imagine if you will, Abraham Lincoln, tripping over his own beard, while angry crowds throw pop cans at him, before being flushed down the toilet by a bunch of wacky animals on the African plane. Happens every day you say? Perhaps, but how about….
The magic of Playstation’s PSP, which not only saves animals from extinction, but makes serial killers nice, and puts an end to war for ever and ever. Yes!! Let’s see your Nintendo Wii do that!!! But my favorite tale of all, is about three young ladies who to take a trip to the mall. Words just don’t do it justice my friends. No, no, you’ll have to see the show for yourselves. It’s Super, duper, mega- magic I tell ya. Super, duper mega magic indeed!!
.jpg)
