Posted by Rachel on March 4, 2009
Just wanted to share a few Monkey-verse links.
Young adult novelist Varian Johnson (My Life as a Rhombus, A Red Polka Dot in a World Full of Plaid, and coming soon Saving Maddie) checked out our podcast, and now he can’t get “My First Girlfriend” out of his head.
Michael Mahler and Alan Schmuckler are featured in the latest American Theatre Magazine. Find out all about the Internet musical they’re developing, Boyfred.
And did you know that we’re one of the 101 things for grandparents to do in Chicago? That’s right. Coming to TWG makes you look hip in front of your grandkids AND provides a kindly reminder to be careful when walking near pools, even covered ones.
Posted by Heidi on March 2, 2009
That's Weird Grandma
This week is the first of what we at the office call “Round 5” of TWG. Basically from your point of view that means:
a) There’s a new cast!
Erick, Alex, Meredith, Tom, Dixie, Curtis and Rachel join returning cast members Brandon, Philip, Tai, Mari, Rani and Donnell.
This is a delightfully large cast after last round’s very talented small cast. Extra kudos to Philip who was the only musician for the last six weeks, and since it was his first time in the show he had a lot to learn and did it well. Erick and Curtis will join him on the keys this round.
b) There’s a new director!
Our lovely Artistic Associate Molly Brennan takes the directing reigns from Artistic Director Luke Hatton for the next five weeks. Luke will be back for the *matinee run* starting in April.
Of course, there are also new stories. “Kung Fu Princesses” makes it’s TWG debut and “Grandma” makes it’s first appearance since 2004. Don’t worry long-time fans, “Going to the Party” and “A Bad Day” are still in the run.
You will like it!
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Posted by Rachel on March 1, 2009
No, that’s not a tiny, animated bird on your windowsill singing you a love song.
That’s Barrel of Monkeys (aka BOM_Chicago) taking one step further into the ether by joining Twitter. Come and follow our tweets about all things monkey—arts education, theater, Kung Fu guys . . . We’re going to be learning so much about each other!
Excited? You should be.
Posted by Maggie on February 25, 2009
After School Program
I walked into the dance room at Loyola Park Monday afternoon around two o’clock. It was dark, silent and still. Only a few monkeys were gathered patiently near the stage left step of the stage, early for their call time. The calmness that surrounded me was bizarre, knowing that in just a few minutes the room would be filled monkeys buzzing around singing, dancing and trying on funny hats. And in just a short time after that, excited children would be coming in, anticipating what they were about to see, which of course was THEIR stories!
Sure enough, my bizarre feeling of what was to come did indeed become a reality very quickly. May I present to you the 2009 Loyola Park Winter Show!
Monkeys showed up with crazy awesome props.
Funny hats were found.
The children arrived.
Then the zombies!
The cast was talented, the stories were amazing, the characters were so detailed.
Sadly, we are saying goodbye to one of our fantastic monkey performers. Hopefully, he will come back to us soon, but for now we hope he can find funny beards on his future adventures!
We’ll miss you John!
Great show all! Can’t wait to see the LP stories in TWG and COA!
Posted by Heidi on February 23, 2009
That's Weird Grandma
Only one new story this week. We bid a sad farewell to “A Cold Day” after several months (optimistically I like to think this bodes well for the weather) and welcome the delightful “How the Pitbull got its name”.
Never fear ardent fans in the front row, A Bad Day and Going to the Party are still in. See below for more on the awesomeness that is A Bad Day.
This is also the first week of a new promotion with Leona’s. I can’t get the logo to upload correctly (sometimes the internet is complicated), but if you bring in your program on the same day you see the show, you’ll get a free bruschetta. Delightful!
As always, full running order after the jump!
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