Posted by Bradford on July 11, 2012
“That’s Weird Abuelita”... hotter than the heat wave scorching da Chi.” If I was editor for a fancy newspaper, that would be the head line for the morning edition. That’s right my friends, you heard it hear first; “That’s Weird Abuelita” is a great show. It’s been a blast brushing up on my Spanish (and I’ve had to brush way up), dissecting stories, and working with this amazing cast. What I love so much about Abelita is the opportunity to reach out to a new audience. A different demographic from the fantastic folks who see TWG on the regular basis, and share some awesome stories written by kids.
Mari, Nicole, and Brenda adapted a very touching song with Immanuel on keys and Nick on guitar. And just when you think you’ll be over come with emotion and can no longer fight back the tears…. a few stories later, an incompetent magician vanishes Levy to Outer Space! Ha!! Ha!! Ha!! Take that NASA!!!
So mark it down in your calendars good people and check it out. Cause this show is gonna be HOT!!!
Posted by Molly on July 9, 2012
That's Weird Grandma
TWG Weekly Update
Barrel of Monkeys is pleased to announce new Acting Ensemble Member Immanuel Guest, who will make his debut tonight on the Neo-Futurist stage.
On a hot tip from BOM Company Member Emjoy Gavino, Mr. Guest was hired to play piano for some school shows in the spring. In addition to playing piano and composing music, he can sing and dance and act. QUADRUPLE THREAT!
Come see him tonight. He dances ballet! He turns into a werewolf! He performs wizardry! He is Michael Jackson! He gets a pie in the face! And! The song he composed for Morton Elementary, called “Stone Villain” will start off the show.
His fellow cast members include:
Lindsey Dorcus, Linsey Falls, Nicholas Hart, Tai Palmgren, Kaite Suib, Dixie Uffelman and Curtis Williams.
BONUS!
New Stage Manger Miranda Anderson will be orchestrating the lights and sound.
Please come join us. New stories, new people, same old fun!
Say: “Also Nilsa” at the box office for discounted tickets.
Posted by Molly on July 2, 2012
That's Weird Grandma
TWG Weekly Update
At midnight the eve of July 3, the spell with be broken, and Brennan Buhl will turn back into a cowboy to mosey West. We hear life is peaceful there. Lots of open air.
So come join us at “That’s Weird Grandma” for Bronco Buhl’s farewell rodeo at the Neo Futurarium.
The newest stories this week:
“Work Together” by Gissel, Little Village Elementary
and
“Tough Love” by Connor and Sebastian, Loyola Park After School Program
Say “Happy Trails, Brennan” at the Box Office for discounted tickets.
Posted by Amanda Farrar on June 28, 2012
Company Members
Although I’ve been back to work since June, this week marks my first full week back in the office since my dear child was born back in March. Putting that small small person into day care is not easy everyday, but man oh man, it is easier knowing what an amazing organization I get to go be Executive Director for!
I won’t even go into detail about how this amazing staff made the most successful and most fun annual benefit to date happen or how Celebration of Authors went off without a hitch and with TONS of authors in the full audience or how I came back to a staff that was tired but still juggling all those balls I threw up in the air while I was full-time-at-home mom.
Instead, I wanted to tell you about how exciting this week has been! We are a small staff, but we are mighty. We may be out of the schools for the summer, but that doesn’t mean we are resting on our laurels – no way.
Artistic Director Molly Brennan is ablaze with plans for “That’s Weird, Abuelita” opening July 25, but also planning for our big company retreat in August AND putting together a plan for an amazing project in the fall. I can’t tell yet, but keep an ear out for an announcement in July!
Not to mention “That’s Weird, Grandma” is happening NOW and it has been lovely to see director Kate Staiger in the office pulling out oldies but goodies and adding to the Unicorn Trapper Keeper which, as far as I can tell, holds all the secrets to the success of TWG for the past 11 years.
On the program side of the office, Programming Director Elizabeth Levy and Education Coordinator Joseph Schupbach are getting schools scheduled for next year, getting all ready for the big assessment week, AND working on two potential expansions for the upcoming school year.
Finally, I don’t know where any of us would be without Company Manager Maggie Fullilove-Nugent keeping everyone scheduled, budgeted, and generally sane.
I don’t know how they do it, and they all do it with such great pleasure. I didn’t forget how great this office was to be in and these people to work with, but I appreciate it and them even more having been away for a time.
Oh, Barrel of Monkeys. I love this love affair we all have with you.
Thank YOU, gentle readers, for supporting the organization in every way you do so that (completely selfishly) I can come here and do really great, really fun, really meaningful work.
Oh what? What was that? You want to see a picture of the baby? Well…okay.
Posted by Molly on June 25, 2012
That's Weird Grandma
TWG Weekly Update
Reaching WAAAAAYYYY back into the archives, director Kate Staiger has unearthed “Bob and His Neighbor”, a story that was featured in the very first year of That’s Weird Grandma!
Here’s the story:
Bob and His Neighbor
By Rashad M., 4th Grade, Howland School
Bob Stickle had a new neighbor. He went over to meet the new neighbor. Bob was a very nice man so he brought gifts. When he rang the bell the man said GO AWAY. Bob left the gifts, the next day he went back, the gifts were still there. Bob said, WHY WOULD THE MAN DO THAT? It turns out the man was lonely because every person he gets close to dies. So Bob sends him pies to be happy.
Also, That’s Weird Grandma will be adding “The Magic Pincil” to the lineup.
The Magic Pincil
By Jerriett, Burnham Anthony
Once there was a magic pincil which was passed down from generation to generation. Once there was a girl that like to draw animals. She would have all kinds of pets. The emperor heard all of these things about her. When he sent for her she was forced to make him a ship, although she was told that the pencil was not for evil. In the tooms of china it said that if it was used for evil it will go back in the box of secrets. She used it but before she was done her grandma came with the box then released its power to the toom. That was the last of the magic pencil.
Say “Pies to be happy” at the box office for discounted tickets!
Can’t wait to see you there!
