Posted by Molly on December 16, 2012
That's Weird Grandma
TWG Weekly Update
We have a great lineup for the closing show of Chicago’s Weird, Grandma. I’d like to thank all the participants for taking the time to adapt our students’ stories into exciting pieces of theatre!
Joining the fantastic Barrel of Monkeys cast are our landlords THE NEO FUTURISTS and the return of ABOUT FACE THEATRE!!
Here are their stories.
SNOW STORM
By Michelle S. Farnsworth Elementary
One day I was in a snow storm. I was by myself. It was very scary. I remember it because I got lost in my own back yard. I tried to get home but it was very hard. My mom was worried. Then I had a hot bath and had hot coco.
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.
For discounted tickets say “Deeeerrrikkk” at the box office.
“That’s Weird, Grandma” will reopen January 7th. We can’t wait to see you there!
Posted by Joe on December 12, 2012
That's Weird Grandma
TWG Weekly Update
Touring Performances
CHICAGO’S WEIRD, GRANDMA on December 17 will feature The Neo-Futurists & About Face Theatre
Here is an interview between you and Barrel of Monkeys’ Artistic Director, Molly Brennan:
You: Tell me about the Neo Futurists
Molly: The Neo Futurists have been performing in Chicago for 24 years, cultivating a loyal audience of returning patrons, hungry for the unique and honest style that this Chicago star provides. In addition to their long-running “Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind”, the Neos produce a three-show season featuring all original work created by its daring Ensemble. They also offer classes and workshops in their writing and devising techniques.
The Neo Futurarium has been the home of That’s Weird, Grandma since the beginning, and Barrel of Monkeys is honored to be hosting their hosts on this closing night of Chicago’s Weird, Grandma.
You: What will the Neo Futurists bring to the adaptation process that is unique?
Molly: Their signature show, Too Much Light Makes The Baby Go Blind, which had its first performance on December 2, 1988, is now in its twenty fourth year, making it the longest-running show in Chicago today. Too Much Light…, with its ever-changing “menu,” is an attempt to perform 30 plays in 60 minutes. The single unifying element of these plays is that they are performed from a perspective of absolute honesty. Players always appear as themselves on stage, speaking directly from their personal experiences. Each short play is written by a performer, honed by the ensemble, and randomly collaged with twenty-nine other plays through high-energy audience participation. Each week, these plays shift as ensemble members add new plays to the existing body of work. Each night of performance, they create an unreproducable living newspaper collage of the comic and tragic, the political and personal, and the visceral and experimental.
Here’s their story:
SNOW STORM
By Michelle S. Farnsworth Elementary
One day I was in a snow storm. I was by myself. It was very scary. I remember it because I got lost in my own back yard. I tried to get home but it was very hard. My mom was worried. Then I had a hot bath and had hot coco.
You: How else can I experience the Neo Futurists if I like what I see or want to know more?
Molly: “Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind” runs Friday and Saturday nights at 11:30, Sunday nights at 7. For New Year’s this year, they will be hosting a special Monday night performance at 9:30 p.m. on the 31st. For more information, check out the Neos!
You: Tell me about About Face Theatre
Molly: About Face Theatre creates exceptional, innovative, and adventurous plays to advance the national dialogue on gender and sexual identity, and to challenge and entertain audiences in Chicago, across the country, and around the world. Additionally, About Face has a well-established Youth Theater that was created as a safe space for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning young people and their allies to tell their stories and create community. The exclusion of queer history and dialogue from schools, and the consistent discrimination and violence suffered by queer youth are the most immediate problems About Face Youth Theatre addresses with their multi-tiered programming. This program is empowering at all levels. Not only do participants enjoy the opportunity to express themselves artistically, they are also integrally involved in the program planning. This is a vital part of our community, and I am very proud that About Face offers this to the young people of Chicago.
You: What will About Face bring to the adaptation process that is unique?
Molly: We are so happy AFT is bringing back “Monster Mash” by Ethan B. from Paderewski Elementary. It is absolutely hilarious and sweet and polished and has a musical montage.
Fantastic Chicago stage veterans Mitchell Fain and Scott Duff join the young and talented Philip Dawkins in this adaptation. This trio of AFT Associate Artists brings a tight performance that explores the challenges of relationships, and what comes of getting stuck with someone. The even balance of professional chops and unbridled joy is something I have come to enjoy from About Face productions, and I am thrilled they are bringing an encore performance for the closing night of our very successful “Chicago’s Weird, Grandma”.
Here’s their story:
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.
You: How else can I experience About Face Theatre Company if I like what I see or want to know more?
Molly: This year’s Holiday spectacular is “We Three Lizas”, a surprising holiday musical sure to please! Scott Duff, who plays the Monster in “Monster Mash”, stars in this Jeff-nominated holiday extravaganza! Musically directed by Barrel of Monkeys’ Company Member Alan Schmuckler! Conveniently located at the Steppenwolf Garage Theatre, running through December 23.
For tickets and info check out About Face!
CHICAGO’S WEIRD, GRANDMA has been selling out! Buy your tickets today!
Posted by Molly on December 10, 2012
That's Weird Grandma
TWG Weekly Update
It is the second to the last installment of Chicago’s Weird, Grandma!
Tonight’s guest: Sideshow Theatre Company! They will be performing this story:
I BELIEVE SANTA CLAUSE by Alejovera, Columbia Explorer’s Academy My first reason is because he is a man and he lives in the North pole, my second reason is I found pieces of white hair in the floor. My third reason is that I found, at night, presents under the tree. In conclusion, I believe in Santa clause. The End
And the BOM CWG crew add in a classic and a new piece:
TITLE: SANTA AND TACO BELL by: David H, Avondale, 2011
Santa was hungry on his way to Taco Bell but he didn’t have any presents so he got everyone a taco for Christmas. Santa was so happy he got everyone 10 bonus tacos and when the kids woke up they ate there tacos and they saved some for later and they saved money about $50.00. The End
THE WITCH’S CURSE by: Kendra, Mya, Breyon, Alexandria , Chalmers
Once upon a time there was a girl. Her name was Sara. Sara’s hair was very short. A magic boy witch made her hair short. He used a hair wand. Sara didn’t like that her hair was short. So, she went on a search for the boy witch. She never found him. But she saw a castle with creepy stuff in the distance… to be continued
Say: “Milk. 2% if you’ve got it.” at the Box Office for Discounted Tickets!!
Posted by Joe on December 4, 2012
That's Weird Grandma
TWG Weekly Update
Touring Performances
Chicago’s Weird, Grandma will feature Sideshow Theatre Company on December 10
Here is an interview between you and Barrel of Monkeys’ Artistic Director, Molly Brennan:
You: Tell me about Sideshow Theatre Company.
Molly: “Familiar Stories, Unorthodox Methods, Perpetually Curious” is the motto of this young Chicago Company. It is the mission of Sideshow Theatre Company to mine the collective unconscious of the world with limitless curiosity, drawing inspiration from the familiar stories, memories and images we all share to spark new conversation and bring our audience together as adventurers in a communal experience of exploration. This mighty and amibitious mission has created such works as “Dante Dies (and then things get weird)” “Heddatron” and “The Gacy Play”.
You: What will Sideshow Theatre Company bring to the adaptation process that is unique?
Molly: Passion, grittiness, and intensity. Get ready, Grandma…it’s gonna get REALLY weird.
Here’s their story:
I BELIEVE SANTA CLAUSE by Alejovera, Columbia Explorer’s Academy
My first reason is because he is a man and he lives in the North pole, my second reason is I found pieces of white hair in the floor. My third reason is that I found, at night, presents under the tree. In conclusion, I believe in Santa clause. The End
You: How else can I experience Sideshow Theatre Company if I like what I see or want to know more?
Molly: For future Sideshow events, check out their website.
Get tickets today to join in on the fun!
Posted by Molly on December 2, 2012
That's Weird Grandma
TWG Weekly Update
WHERE DOES THE TIME GO?
Already we’re in Week 4 of Round 2. We’re bringing back two holiday classics:
THE CRAZY REINDEER by Kajuan H., Henry Suder
The reindeer just didn’t know what to do, but he did it he didn’t know what to do because santa didn’t need him anymore because they were fighting and arguing. So the reindeer was going crazy, he didn’t eat all he did was go out side with a house coat and a silly houseshoes that didn’t really fit him. So he flew back to the north pole asking santacan he work for him. I won’t be crazy anymore. Then why you still have on the house coat. So the reindeer took the house coat off. So santa said all right then they were back friend again.
...and…
SANTA’S MEAN DAY by Devonte V, Reavis Academy
When Santa woke up, he was shocked to see four other people dressed just like him. He was so mad that he had to put his name on the bad list. The elf was shocked at him, that he put his name on the bad list. The elfs ask Santa, why is you so mean today? He said The elfs left so fast smoke came behind them. They said I wish Santa was not mean today. Then of on the elfs said I got it. We can throw a not mean party. Everybody can come and tell Santa do not be mean. We can have milk and cookies for snacks because Santa loves milk and cookies. then we can get the things to put up. Then we can put upSanta’s favorite game. And then Santa came down stairs. Then everybody said Surprise and I love you. THE END.
Additionally, we will celebrate the return of Manual Cinema, performing…
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!
...and we welcome the Factory Theatre with their adaptation of…
THE CHRISTMAS MONSTER!! By Dinora S, Columbia Explorer’s Academy
One day it was Christmas. I slept in the couch. I was 5 years old. I slept. Then I heard a sound, it was very loud. I got outside. It was an alien. It had a beard. I thought it was fake. I took off the mask, it was a huge gigantic monster and it was ugly too. It smelled very very bad. I ran and he was trying to eat me. But it did. It smelled very bad. The water was very green. I was in the water, my skin was a skeleton! THE END
Come one, come all!
If you want discounted tickets, make sure to say: “Take off that housecoat” at the box office. See you soon!
