Posted by Linsey F. on March 24, 2011
School Shows
If you would have told me that my first experience with Barrel of Monkeys would involve a singing South American Camelid, a masked vigilante who just wants to dance, an undersea tour and bull riding, I know I would have laughed. However, I wouldn’t have laughed as hard as I’ve laughed this past week while working on the stories from Dewey Elementary School. My name is Linsey Falls and this Dewey residency blew away any expectations I had going in to volunteering with the Monkeys. Pun aside, these are the most talented Monkeys I’ve ever had the pleasure of playing with.
Along with stories about crazy days, musical tastes, doll dressing and pulling pranks on royalty; this show has more than a little bit of singing. And Mom said my singing in the shower wouldn’t come in handy! Pffft! What did she know?
Last week started with reading over the stories that Jason, Rani, Ricky, Marika and I had flagged from the notebooks we collected from the kids at the end of the residency. Before we knew it, the “doable” stack grew until we were looking at 18 stories that make up the show we’ll perform tomorrow. No two stories are even remotely alike and I’d be a big old fibber if I told you that I wasn’t intimidated. Working with such a cabal of talent had me feeling like I was walking across a nigh frozen lake. Alas, the moment the singing came along, POW, any personal fret I felt flew right out the window. Eighteen fantastic tales from young minds plus 9 of the most talented actors I’ve ever met plus little old actor/improviser-dude me? It sounds like a recipe for Awesome-Sauce, doesn’t it? Well it is; and these Monkeys are masters of the culinary art of Giggle-Ha-Ha! Heaping spoonfuls of fan-monkey-tastic will be served at Dewey Elementary tomorrow and you’d be best to get some on you.
Posted by Luke on March 20, 2011
That's Weird Grandma
TWG Weekly Update
Yeah, come and see.
Oh, man. That was almost as bad as this.
Did you make it all the way through? If so, kudos. I never have.
ANYhoo, two much more creative and satisfying adaptations await you this Sunday (2pm) AND Monday (8pm).
We got-
The Bloody Finger and Football Player. Both are action packed. Both will take you on a journey that will leave you better for it.
Password for $2 off at the box office will be “locked hospital.”
COME ON BY!
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Posted by Lacy on March 14, 2011
School Shows
“All killer, no filler.” That’s what company member Dixie said when she watched the final Paderewski rehearsal last weekend. Indeed, we served up a show that, like a gourmet hot dog encasing only the finest of meats, had no filler, and laid people out like a stone cold killer. A COMEDY KILLER, PEOPLE! Oh my goodness. It has been a long day.
So indeed, this morning we headed down to Cermak and Lawdale and rocked some serious socks. The show had giant robots. It had a heartfelt letter to President Obama. It had ... (wait for it) ... a poop factory.
This bears repeating.
POOP FACTORY.
This was also our first Barrel of Monkeys show to use ZERO tutus, ZERO silly hats, and ZERO of our traditional junktastic costumery! Every single prop, costume, and even the curtains for the show were made out of newspaper, cardboard, and duct tape. As we told the kids at the top of the show: you inspired us to make this play, now we’re hoping that we inspire you to go make your own play! And everything you’ll see us use up here is something you can get your hands on.
Newspaper, cardboard, duct tape. That’s it, folks. Check out Zoe’s sweet wig, made completely to spec!
We also got to learn The Dougie, which should buy us some street cred for a good 6 months. Instructional video coming soon!
Posted by Luke on March 13, 2011
That's Weird Grandma
TWG Weekly Update
We’re doing a raucous version of ‘That’s Weird, Grandma’ on Sunday March 13 @ 2pm and on Monday March 14th @ 8pm.
It is performing ensemble member Jeff Trainor’s first round of TWG and he is rockin’ it.
Also, esteemed theater critic Ada Grey will be happy to know that we have cut the story “The Worried Dog” where the dog uses the person’s bathroom. Some people liked the story, but a lot of people, like Ada, did not and crossed it out.
Going IN to the show are:
‘Me and my boyfriend having a nice time until the end’
and
‘Space Librarian’
They both have pretty intricate plots so rather than summarize them for you as I sometimes do, I’ll let you read them (below), or better yet, come!!
$2 off in the kitchen if you say, “soft hearted stuntman.”
Here is the order of plays:
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Posted by Luke on March 6, 2011
That's Weird Grandma
TWG Weekly Update
People on the planet,
We are rehearsing another whiz-banger of a show for You.
It’s a walloping, mighty cast doing hilarious work.
It will go down on Sunday at 2pm AND on Monday at 8pm.
We’re putting in some gold-
FISH!!!! Treasure Hunter #4: Where the Map Leads!
This is the 4th installment of a 5 part series that Connor wrote at our Loyola Park after school program. It stands alone just fine, believe me. Kind of like The Prince of Tides.
Dear Diary (I Sang) is a new, doo-wop number about a girl singing throughout her entire day. Some of my best choreography from last year.
How I Got My 1st Dog – Alexis’s mom thinks Alexis will only overcome her fear of dogs by going to the dog store and buying the most ferocious one!
Password for $2 off at the box office is “FISH!!!”.
And now, the list of plays:
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