Posted by Donnell on April 5, 2009
School Shows
Hey, Campers! This past Friday, April 3, 2009, marked the first school show at the Alfred D. Kohn School on Chicago’s South Side! Sorry this is first you’re hearing about it, but magic often takes time to reveal itself. The Monkeys pulled together a great show for the two eager 4th grade classes, with gems like Breanna J.‘s Moving into the Hotel and the dialogue Super Wolf & Super Dog by D’ Marris S. There were also two great songs written by Laura and Jason that are sure to soon be Monkey classics! I can’t wait to see some of these stories in Celebration 2009! Yay! Nice job, Kohn Kids!
Posted by Heidi on April 1, 2009
Podcasts
I can’t believe I’m only blogging about this now. My only defense is that it has been a long week.
As those of you who have been Monkey Fans for a while know, there was this story. This one story that was, well, the most popular monkey story ever. There was just…something…about it.
Co-founder/former Artistic Director Halena Kays used to say that it had to be included in any special BOM public performance (as a rave at Theater on the Lake, for example) because otherwise it would be like if Devo went on tour and didn’t perform “Whip It”.
A story so compelling, so amazing, that years after it went out of the regular run of TWG, people would still write-in a request. It was the number one story in the special “countdown of the most popular BOM stories” that we did at the 5-year anniversary show.
Well, just when you thought we’d moved on, we find a way to reinvent it again.
That’s right folks, last week’s podcast (released Sunday night, on schedule, despite my only mentioning it now) was a NEW version of…drumroll…The Dog Was Dead.
Seasoned Monkey Fans, this one’s for you. New Monkey Fans, you too just might fall in love.
Posted by Heidi on March 31, 2009
That's Weird Grandma
Same great show, new great time!
As we’ve hinted a few times, we’re switching things up a bit and moving the show to Sunday matinees for the next couple months.
Make Mama Nature proud. Come to “That’s Weird, Grandma” on a Sunday at 2pm.
(Your money-saving coupons will still work for Sunday shows. As always there is more information about the show here.)
Posted by Heidi on March 27, 2009
Today is World Theater Day, and we hope you will take a moment to celebrate in your own way. Chicago is officially honoring World Theater Day for the first time, though it has been an international tradition for years.
Every year a renowned theater artist writes a message for World Theater Day. This year’s is from Augusto Boal, and is included below the jump here and available widely on the internet. Boal is an amazing writer, director, politician and artist. He is probably most famous for developing Theater of the Oppressed, but has written and extensively on the intersection of politics and theater and developed “legislative theater” when serving a term as an elected official in Brazil. He is a survivor of torture and exile and a fascinating figure in the history of modern theater. Also, I wrote my college thesis on his work, so I’m perhaps a little biased.
At any rate, In honor of World Theater Day, all Chicago area theater patrons, artists and administrators are invited to a free party at the Chopin Theatre, 1543 W Division. There is more information about Chicago area World Theater celebrations through the League of Chicago Theaters website. Mayor Daley issued an official Proclamation naming today World Theater Day in Chicago.
Barrel of Monkeys doesn’t have a performance today, but we hope that you will have the chance to celebrate World Theater Day, be it by attend a play or celebration or reading Boal’s statement or merely taking a moment to reflect on the transformational and inspirational power of art.
Read more
Posted by Tai on March 23, 2009
That's Weird Grandma
Podcasts
Tai here. Just want to mention a couple things: this week, 2 new stories jump into “That’s Weird, Grandma,” including the return of an old classic (and my personal all-time favorite), “The Tiny Door at the Back of My Closet,” a tale about a friendly monster, brought to new life by Alex and Meredith.
And, this week’s podcast (and last week’s too) is a BRAND NEW story, never before performed EVER! It’s called “The Date Was Messy,” by a group of kids from the Henderson School. It’s about a girl who meets her date, and well, he’s messy. Hijinks may or may not ensue.
Both of these stories are heartwarming and hilarious.* Listen to the podcast (and subscribe on iTunes if you haven’t already), and come see us at TWG. What a way to start your spring.
*Okay, and I’m in both of them.
